DJI Air 2 with Smart Controller Remote Identification

[eEridani]

I think I just figured out my Smart controller does NOT support Remote Identification when flying my Air 2 with DJI Fly.

Ouch. The drone complies, but not the controller. An odd situation for me and begs the question if I am legal, or not. Has anyone researched this and knows for sure what is up?

I guess wasting the FAA's time or even asking DJI for clarity is my next step.

 

[GadgetGuy]

I think I just figured out my Smart controller does NOT support Remote Identification when flying my Air 2 with DJI Fly.

Ouch. The drone complies, but not the controller. An odd situation for me and begs the question if I am legal, or not. Has anyone researched this and knows for sure what is up?

I guess wasting the FAA's time or even asking DJI for clarity is my next step.

Legally, if you added an aftermarket drone ID device to the drone to comply with RID, it wouldn't update the controller location either, so, as long as the drone is still broadcasting RID with Smart Controller, you should be fine.

 

[W5CI]

I did not know there was a Smart controller for my Air 2, I guess I missed that when looking. which one is it please.

 

[Cafguy]

If your Drone has RID you are legal................. Controller???

 

[GFields]

Your remote Id is in the drone

 

[eEridani]

Well, the remote identification is supposed to transmit the controller location. The DJI website hints the Air 2 doesn't transmit the controller location. Add that the FAA website does not list the Air 2 as compliant ... so I can't flip the FAA registration RID switch to ON. Seems DJI hasn't provided the FAA with a proper full list of 'approved' serial numbers nor range of serial numbers. Thus the Air 2 isn't approved/accepted by the FAA.

My result: Serial Number FAxxxMCxx7 was not located in the database. Please try another serial number.

My brain normalizes this disconnect is due to the non-sequential serial numbers used in the Air 2 (alpha and numeric combined), so stating a range is impossible; and perhaps their records/database is difficult to parse to a list if serial numbers the FAA needs).


There's enough doubt that I'm a bit concerned.

Plus this bit from DJI:

32. Which products currently support the Remote ID function?
Consumer drones: DJI Avata 2, DJI Mini 4 Pro, DJI Air 3, DJI Avata 2, DJI Air 2S, DJI Mavic 3 series, DJI Mini 3 series, and the new products launched after September 2022 all support the Remote ID function.

 

[eEridani]

I did not know there was a Smart controller for my Air 2, I guess I missed that when looking. which one is it please.

The DJI Smart Controller. That is the nomenclature. DJI no longer sells them, afasi.

Support for DJI Smart Controller - DJI

As the market leader in easy-to-fly drones and aerial photography systems, DJI quadcopters like the Phantom are the standard in consumer drone technology.

www.dji.com

Here's an eBay link with photo - DJI Smart Controller for Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom/Air 2/2S Mini 2/Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 | eBay

Amazon also has used: Amazon.com

 

[Cafguy]

You are correct.. The Air 2 does not have RID you need an external module or better yet internal. They go on the Drone..Then your good to go!
Thats a PRO controller the seller is confused.

 

[eEridani]

[snip] The Air 2 does not have RID

DJI lists the Air 2 in their table of drones that support RID. So it isn't quite that simple. See table below.

[snip] Thats a PRO controller the seller is confused.

No - I own one, and it is a Smart Controller.

 

[Cafguy]

Call it what you want........ if its black its a pro.
Its simple if you cant get the Drones internal RID up just strap on a module. You may as well get one for you Backpack. it just may come in handy someday.
and I misspoke the Air 2 indeed has rid so my question is really What do you not get about RID that you think the controller needs it??? The rid "reader" gets the controllers location thru the drone NOT the controller.

 

[eEridani]

Call it what you want........ if its black its a pro.
[snip]

I'm being pedantic, but DJI does not call it a Pro. They call it the DJI Smart Controller. Here's the manual:

https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/smart+controller/20190110-2/DJI_Smart_Controller_User_Manual_EN_V1.0_0110.pdf

The DJI RC Pro is a different controller, even has a different shape (the RC Pro is more trapezoid), with antennas that rotate separately.

DJI RC Pro - DJI

DJI RC Pro is a professional-level remote controller that features a powerful next-generation processor, O3+ video transmission technology, and 4G network communication. It also uses the same control sticks as the DJI FPV drone to provide a smoother control experience, bringing aerial...

www.dji.com

Side-by-side the RC Pro and Smart Controller look similar, but aren't the same.

 

[Cafguy]

Your right. I see them all the time listed as either or both.
My apologies in My "Dronespeak"
The DJI controllers with no screen I refer to as R1'
The screened controllers that are grey and most commonly bundled with the Drones are Smart controllers.
The Black one is the PRO
The Game styled ones are the FPV controllers (along with the old black "boxy" one)
and finally the fancy nintendo switch looking one I call a photographers controller (cause they are terrible to fly with but I guess are nice for pro Photo and video people LOL)

 

[eEridani]

Well, stumbled into a thread about RID registration and found a way to make my Air 2 be accepted by the FAA. My Air 2 drone is now set to being Remote ID Enabled in the FAA registry.

Trying to update Remote ID info in Drone Zone, and not having any luck

Mar 11, 2024

Hello, it's been a long while with Work and other commitments. I have updated Both my older drones, Mavic 2 Pro L1P and Mavic Air 2S and controllers to the newest versions. I saw on the FAA site link that someone posted on this group, that the Mavic Air 2S and Mavic 2 Pro (L1P) are showing as Remote ID compatible.

Now, when I go to the drone zone I see that both of these aircraft show as Remote ID -NO... so when I go to edit it, putting Standard Remote ID (since I'm NOT using a module) and try to save the changes I get the "Serial number invalid" So I looked at both Drones...

• Desert Sands
• Replies: 10
• Forum: General Discussions

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[GadgetGuy]

The rid "reader" gets the controllers location thru the drone NOT the controller.

That's not quite correct. If the controller has GPS, the controller's location is continuously updated to the drone from the controller, which then transmits both locations via the RID broadcast. External RID modules cannot do this, but are still RID compliant without broadcasting updated controller/pilot location. They merely use the launch point as a static pilot location.

 

[DonRH]

I have Mavic Air 2 and I am using the (Orginal Smart Controller) and it does not see the RID broadcast.
Because the Smart Controller is not capable of receiving it - it's not really that smart, but my original controller that came with the Air 2 R1-N? can read it just fine. My drone is broadcasting the RID and that's all I worry about.
I usually have the old controller in the car with me when flying and it only takes a couple minutes to bind it if I ever get questioned.
I'm not worried I did my part by updating the drone and getting the RID to broadcast
And yes the Mavic Air 2 does have RID broadcast with the update last fall...

 

[eEridani]

I have Mavic Air 2 and I am using the (Orginal Smart Controller) and it does not see the RID broadcast.
Because the Smart Controller is not capable of receiving it - it's not really that smart, but my original controller that came with the Air 2 R1-N? can read it just fine. My drone is broadcasting the RID and that's all I worry about.
I usually have the old controller in the car with me when flying and it only takes a couple minutes to bind it if I ever get questioned.
I'm not worried I did my part by updating the drone and getting the RID to broadcast
And yes the Mavic Air 2 does have RID broadcast with the update last fall...

Let's differentiate a few things for clarity.

The DJI Smart Controller is an Android device, much like a tablet with a fairly powerful WiFi transceiver and antennas.
-- The DJI Smart Controller can host an app that should be able to look for Remote ID signals (I use the word should because I'd expect it is possible, I've loaded apps like Aloft, but I've never loaded any Remote ID finder app).

The DJI RC-N1 is a dumb device with a good WiFi transceiver and antennas.
-- The DJI RC-N1 does not have the capability to "see" anything, especially things like Remote ID. However, your PHONE or TABLET that you connect to the DJI RC-N1 can have an app that is able to monitor Remote ID signals.

Or, are you saying the DJI Fly app on your phone/RC-N1 is acknowledging Remote ID but DJI Fly on the Smart Controller isn't?

 

[Thelastosirus]

The Smart Controller was originally intended for the Mavic 2 but also works on the Mini 2 and Air 2. I bought mine separately and used it on my mini 2 for almost 2 years. I then got rid of the Mini 2 and found an Air2 for a good price so my Smart controller now is used for it. The newer RC2 downright feels cheap in quality and functionality compared to the Smart controller.

As for the RID, it was added to one of the last FW updates and the drone SHOULD transmit the drone & the controllers location. The controller only transmits control & video data. But I can't know if the controller location is also broadcast for sure since I run an older FW prior to the RID implementation. I do fly with a seperate RID box velcroed to the top for compliance, right behind a strobe.