I am hesitant to give the government any information. Over 249 grams, regulation says you must register, under 249 grams and it says you may register. Is there a good reason to register?
Not that I can think of. If you are flying recreational and you are in the US, there really isn't a good reason to register your under 250g drone; it won't accept a serial number: Remote ID for registered drones under 250gI am hesitant to give the government any information. Over 249 grams, regulation says you must register, under 249 grams and it says you may register. Is there a good reason to register?
Haven't seen that recommendation yet.under 249 grams and it says you may register
Here's the problem:Haven't seen that recommendation yet.
Keep in mind that all registered drones must broadcast RID data.
Although true, this is not what the OP asked.which takes you over 250g, your Mini 4 Pro is properly registered in the FAA database including the standard RID details and the registration label atop your drone.
You're not wrong. However, I'm assuming the OP is talking about flying a drone that always has a takeoff weight of less than 250 grams.Am I wrong?
Although true, this is not what the OP asked.
Agreed and I think we all gave him the same answer, no good reason to register.You're not wrong. However, I'm assuming the OP is talking about flying a drone that always has a takeoff weight of less than 250 grams.
Here's the problem:
You go to fly your Mini 4 Pro and you want to fly for one hour and you have 2 batteries: the big battery and the little battery. Since you have inserted the big battery first which takes you over 250g, your Mini 4 Pro is properly registered in the FAA database including the standard RID details and the registration label atop your drone.
Agreed if you understand the rules, pretty minor problem. Unfortunately there are about a hundred people who understand it.Pretty minor problem.
If you're registered, sell your lighter batteries and replace them with the heavier ones. opposite if you're not registered, plan to only fly recreationally, and not attach anything that would make it weigh more than 250g.
This is not some sort of trap you can't get out of. Staying legal simply requires one to make some pretty easy choices.
Even more confusing when you have a switch that turns on and off but has no effect on registration.Much easier solution: Add switch in settings on DJI Fly to enable RID with the light battery.
It's coming.
Agreed if you understand the rules, pretty minor problem. Unfortunately there are about a hundred people who understand it.
Even more confusing when you have a switch that turns on and off but has no effect on registration.
I agree that just because you own the PLUS battery, does not mean you have to register....but why have the larger battery unless you are going to use it?.....and if you do use it...it is going to take you over the 250 gram threshold.Here's the problem:
You go to fly your Mini 4 Pro and you want to fly for one hour and you have 2 batteries: the big battery and the little battery. Since you have inserted the big battery first which takes you over 250g, your Mini 4 Pro is properly registered in the FAA database including the standard RID details and the registration label atop your drone.
You take off with the battery and you get 40 minutes of flight time and your drone is happily broadcasting before you come home and land. You still want to fly for an additional 20 minutes you insert the little battery and you take off.
All of a sudden you are illegal. Your drone is registered in the FAA database but it isn't broadcasting because the little battery shuts off the RID broadcasting. You are flying a less than 250g drone for recreational purposes only and the flight is illegal unless you 1) attach an external broadcast RID model to your Mini and 2) go into the FAA database and update the RID details with the new RID number from your broadcast module or *cancel* the FAA registration and remove the label off your drone. And it doesn't help there is confusing verbiage across the internet from some places that [wrongly] claim even if you *own* the big battery (think "constructive possession") then you have to register.
Am I wrong?
I think what you will find is US recreational flyers who will not register and fly all day everyday with both batteries which again, is partially illegal. Imagine the problems that occur when you attach a strobe and use the little battery and you also now need to attach a broadcast module. Imagine what happens when the same is not true for your identical Mini 3 Pro drone or the other Mini class drones....or even sw version differences in the Mini 4 Pro?
This cluster is both DJI *and* the FAA fault. The DJI Mini 3 and Mini 4 series should all receive a DoC for a small-class of drone *regardless* their ultimate configuration IMO and these drones should be blocked from registration in the recreational portion of the portal.
Some people own the PLUS battery so when they fly in countries where there are less restrictions (like "Mexico") but it really shouldnt matter since I am told the FAA doesn't really care about a few grams unless you break some of the more serious laws.I agree that just because you own the PLUS battery, does not mean you have to register....but why have the larger battery unless you are going to use it?.....and if you do use it...it is going to take you over the 250 gram threshold.
I'm surprised I didn't know the best way to answer this right away, had to browse around to be sure.If I understand regulations correctly, to get LAANC permission to fly in certain restricted airspace locations, one needs to have their drone registered with the FAA. This, even if one is a hobbyist, AND even though one's drone is below 0.55 lbs, to use LAANC the unit must be registered. I fly a DJI Mavic Mini, and am a recreational flyer but 95% of my flights are in Class D restricted airspace as it is extensive in the area where I live. Thus, in order to use LAANC to get permission to fly in Class D airspace, I had to register my drone even though it is at/below 249 grams. And, I have a Holy Stone RID unit stacked on top.