DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone questions

[newbury]

Its a new FAA rule for anything over 249g. Earlier production drones and many drones today do not have remote id regardless of weight.

They currently do not have to have remote id 249g and under. The mini 4 pro is under 249g with standard battery so no rid broadcast. Over 249g with extended battery hence rid is broadcast. Confirmed with my DJI M4P.

So if you swap in an extended battery, then it broadcasts and then do you need a license?
Seems that would decrease extended battery sales.

 

[stumblinhorse]

So if you swap in an extended battery, then it broadcasts and then do you need a license?
Seems that would decrease extended battery sales.

All newer DJI drones have remote id, regardless of weight. My M3Pro has it since it is newer.

If you go over 249, you have to register it, but you do not need a license unless you are commercial.

 

[Cataclysm]

So if you swap in an extended battery, then it broadcasts and then do you need a license?
Seems that would decrease extended battery sales.

As I understand it, above 249g requires rid broadcast and FAA 107 license.

So yes, the extended battery sales may suffer. The DJI M4P came with the standard battery and I purchased 3 additional extended batteries before the rid was required. I will probably buy extra standard batteries and stay at 249g.

I studied a bit for the 107 but it seemed tuned to actual manned aircraft pilot stuff so I decided to stay at 249g.

I really, really wanted thermal for varmints around the farm but the 107 requirements kept me from buying one.

 

[newbury]

So what you REALLY WANT is an advanced Baba Yaga!
Thermal AND weapon delivery.

 

[5030]

you mean it can see i hit reverse instead of down?

Why you buy a cheapo one to practice with.

 

[EddieWalker]

Amazon update. It's been shipped. Still expected to be here next weed on Wednesday. I'm wondering if it's coming from China?

 

[riptides]

Amazon update. It's been shipped. Still expected to be here next weed on Wednesday. I'm wondering if it's coming from China?

Amazon stocks some items "locally".

A particular brands laptop though, when ordered through the brands web site directly, gets made and shipped on demand, from China.

 

[stumblinhorse]

As I understand it, above 249g requires rid broadcast and FAA 107 license.

So yes, the extended battery sales may suffer. The DJI M4P came with the standard battery and I purchased 3 additional extended batteries before the rid was required. I will probably buy extra standard batteries and stay at 249g.

I studied a bit for the 107 but it seemed tuned to actual manned aircraft pilot stuff so I decided to stay at 249g.

I really, really wanted thermal for varmints around the farm but the 107 requirements kept me from buying one.

This is a little misleading. 250g and above only requires $5 registration for every 3 years. If you are commercial you need a license. But personal use only requires registration.

Remote id is not an issue with new drones. All of them transmit all the time.

 

[Hughman]

I tried to get a DJI mini last year. It had a RID error and would not take off. I spent hours on the phone with tech support and downloading patches to no avail. DJI finally suggested I return it to Costco. It was probably a one off that might have been fixed with a replacement, but I lost interest and opted to put the $400+ back into my pocket and move on.

 

[bdhsfz6]

My brother brought his new DJI drone (don't know the model) up to my place to try it out. He couldn't get it off the ground. After much investigation, it turns out I live within 5 miles of a mom & pop airport and my land is in a geofenced area.

I would very much like to get a drone, but not if I can't fly it in my own back yard. Are there any <259gr models that don't have geofencing?

 

[riptides]

<259gr models that don't have geofencin

What drones don't have geofencing?

That’s interesting! So, geofencing is like a virtual boundary for DJI drones, but not all models have it. It makes sense to have this feature to warn pilots about potential hazards. Do you know if there’s a way to check if a specific DJI model has geofencing?

dronewhispers.com

 

[plowhog]

After much investigation, it turns out I live within 5 miles of a mom & pop airport and my land is in a geofenced area.

I have a FAA commercial pilot certificate with instrument, multi-engine, and seaplane ratings. I also passed the FAA Airline Transport Pilot written test some time ago, which is considered the PhD of flying. I don't dispute what you write, but find this very restricting and surprising. Keeping a drone at 400 feet or below, 5 miles from an uncontrolled airport, does not seem to pose any threat.

5 miles from your non-towered airport, I presume you are in the legally defined “other than congested area.” This means a real aircraft may not be operated at less than 500 feet above the surface. FAR 91.119(c) That is the minimum legal limit, which of course, means many wise pilots fly much higher. And even if in the landing configuration and approach to the nearby airport, if you are descending below 500 feet while 5 miles away something is very wrong.

Having followed this thread-- I think I will get my Part 107 drone add-on to my pilot license. Should be interesting.

 

[LHF2019]

Thank you. My wife is really excited for it. She wants to watch the animals, check the fences and explore more then I do. She keeps coming up with more things that she can do with it!!!!

We have found that 300 ft for the cattle is minimum for them not ti be bothered with the drone. My son’s is a mini 2 and makes less noise than my phantom 4 pro. Here are a couple shots from the mini 2. Took our time with it and they were more curious then spooked.

 

[stumblinhorse]

DJI Mini 3 Pro on point of interest mode flying unattended. Then checkin the cows.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

My brother brought his new DJI drone (don't know the model) up to my place to try it out. He couldn't get it off the ground. After much investigation, it turns out I live within 5 miles of a mom & pop airport and my land is in a geofenced area.

I would very much like to get a drone, but not if I can't fly it in my own back yard. Are there any <259gr models that don't have geofencing?

That is weird, I live 4 miles driving, from the airport in our town, unmanned but longer runways and I fly my drone up to 400’, then it warns me.

 

[EddieWalker]

DJI Mini 3 Pro on point of interest mode flying unattended. Then checkin the cows.

Do you target yourself in the screen and then the drone follows you on it's own?

One of my goals will be to film myself in my tractor, mowing with my batwing. I'm not sure if I can fly it and drive the tractor at the same time, so I was thinking I would just hover and drive past it. But I've also seen on YouTube where there are settings to target something and the drone will follow it.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Do you target yourself in the screen and then the drone follows you on it's own?

One of my goals will be to film myself in my tractor, mowing with my batwing. I'm not sure if I can fly it and drive the tractor at the same time, so I was thinking I would just hover and drive past it. But I've also seen on YouTube where there are settings to target something and the drone will follow it.

DJI does have the "Follow-Me" feature. You can select it to follow any object you wish. It will follow until it hits the auto-return point (battery low) point, or until you direct it otherwise.

 

[stumblinhorse]

Do you target yourself in the screen and then the drone follows you on it's own?

One of my goals will be to film myself in my tractor, mowing with my batwing. I'm not sure if I can fly it and drive the tractor at the same time, so I was thinking I would just hover and drive past it. But I've also seen on YouTube where there are settings to target something and the drone will follow it.

Yes, as said above it has several modes which will circles an object. Or it will lock on to moving objects and follow up to about 15 mph. It will navigate around obstacles to follow. You choose follow behind or to the side. All these settings are unattended flight to allow you to do something else….

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Yes, as said above it has several modes which will circles an object. Or it will lock on to moving objects and follow up to about 15 mph. It will navigate around obstacles to follow. You choose follow behind or to the side. All these settings are unattended flight to allow you to do something else….

Not sure mine has this, I'll have to look.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Morning Eddie,
My oldest son has a DJI mini, not sure which model he has. He told me I can use it whenever I want so I haven’t bought one yet ! He has had it a few years so maybe an earlier model, and not sure of his range ! He took some pictures of the Vermont homestead last year or year before ! Nice pictures IMO ! That thing is pretty darn fast ! I do remember that when he sent it up ! Good luck with whatever you decide !