Mavic mini and the new drone rules - UK

[scro]

The CAA has recently released an update advising the new drone rules due to come in July 2020 in the UK will be delayed until 1 Nov 2020 (or later):

https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP1789%20April%202020.pdf

This document contains some interesting updates that may affect UK MM owners regarding applicable categories and training requirements.

• Pg 8, last bullet point. MTOM will no longer be used and this will be replaced with "flying weight". This, to me, sounds like the MM could then fall into the A1 category, with no time restriction (eg beyond 30 Jun 2022)
• Table on Pg 47 appears to back this view up: 2nd option in the A1 category - Legacy class, under 250g flying weight.

Any views on this interpretation? If it's correct then it makes the MM a good bit more appealing for longer term ownership.
I appreciate this is more on the theme of UAV regulations, but not sure if many who frequent this general section of the forum go over to that section much?

 

[AndreaBB]

I’m working on the A2 CofC (actually scheduled the exam next Monday) and it looks like the MM will be placed into the A1 “legacy” category (not article 22), with no time limitation.

 

[scro]

Further reading might give me the answers, but does anyone know what the limitations to flying near buildings/built up areas/people will be for the A1 legacy category it looks like the MM may fall into? (no pun intended)

 

[AndreaBB]

• ‘Legacy’ unmanned aircraft (those that do not hold a class marking and were placed on the market before 1 July 2022) may be used indefinitely in the Open category:
  • • If less than 250g – within the subcategory A1 (fly over people) limits listed in Part A of the Annex
    
    
    General rules: UAS.OPEN.010
    Specific rules: UAS.OPEN.020

 

[Alex2]

Further reading might give me the answers, but does anyone know what the limitations to flying near buildings/built up areas/people will be for the A1 legacy category it looks like the MM may fall into? (no pun intended)

From reading CAP1789, it looks like the only subcategory with any limitations at all with regards to flying in built up/congested areas will be A3:

"A3 (Fly ‘far from’ people) – This category covers the more general types of unmanned
aircraft operations. The intent is that the unmanned aircraft will only be flown in areas that
are clear of uninvolved persons and will not be flown in areas that are used for residential,
commercial, industrial or recreational purposes (roughly equivalent to what is currently
referred to as a ‘congested area’)..."

Therefore, the only limitation that would apply to the MM flying in subcategory A1 will be no flights over assemblies of people.

 

[Gkinghrn]

It also has a camera which means it needs registered ... the weight issue would need to understand what the definition of “flying weight” actually is. It must be defined somewhere?

 

[TDZHDTV]

Further reading might give me the answers, but does anyone know what the limitations to flying near buildings/built up areas/people will be for the A1 legacy category it looks like the MM may fall into? (no pun intended)

150 meters

 

[Alex2]

It also has a camera which means it needs registered ... the weight issue would need to understand what the definition of “flying weight” actually is. It must be defined somewhere?

See below extract from page 8:

"Interpretation of ‘Maximum Take-off Mass’ within the Open category
While the EU UAS Regulations make reference to ‘maximum take-off mass’ (MTOM) throughout,
as defined in Article 2 of the IR, this term creates some confusion when referring to ‘home built’
or other ‘legacy’ unmanned aircraft where an MTOM has not been defined by the manufacturer.
In the amendment to the IR, MTOM has been adjusted to ‘take-off mass’ when referring to legacy
aircraft, but only within one article (Article 22 – transitional arrangements) and so does not fully
resolve the problem (and ‘take-off mass is not specifically defined). To clarify this issue, the UK
will interpret the term within the Open category only as follows:

▪ Unmanned aircraft marked with a Class marking (C0 to C4) – MTOM will continue to be
used as defined
▪ Unmanned aircraft without a Class marking – any reference to MTOM or ‘take-off mass’
should be taken to mean the weight of the unmanned aircraft at any time while it is in flight
(which will be referred to as the ‘flying weight’)..."

Clearly if a Mavic Mini is flown "stock", the weight will be below 250 grams.

 

[Alex2]

150 meters

There will be no limit on flying within what are currently defined as "congested areas" as of November. The current drone code will be superceded and the ANO will also be updated to reflect the new regulations.

 

[TDZHDTV]

See below extract from page 8:

"Interpretation of ‘Maximum Take-off Mass’ within the Open category
While the EU UAS Regulations make reference to ‘maximum take-off mass’ (MTOM) throughout,
as defined in Article 2 of the IR, this term creates some confusion when referring to ‘home built’
or other ‘legacy’ unmanned aircraft where an MTOM has not been defined by the manufacturer.
In the amendment to the IR, MTOM has been adjusted to ‘take-off mass’ when referring to legacy
aircraft, but only within one article (Article 22 – transitional arrangements) and so does not fully
resolve the problem (and ‘take-off mass is not specifically defined). To clarify this issue, the UK
will interpret the term within the Open category only as follows:

▪ Unmanned aircraft marked with a Class marking (C0 to C4) – MTOM will continue to be
used as defined
▪ Unmanned aircraft without a Class marking – any reference to MTOM or ‘take-off mass’
should be taken to mean the weight of the unmanned aircraft at any time while it is in flight
(which will be referred to as the ‘flying weight’)..."

Clearly if a Mavic Mini is flown "stock", the weight will be below 250 grams.

Mini MTW is approx 272g due to the accessorise DJI sell with it, prop guards and sticker pack.

 

[TDZHDTV]

There will be no limit on flying within what are currently defined as "congested areas" as of November. The current drone code will be superceded and the ANO will also be updated to reflect the new regulations.

Hi, I was taking legacy in 2 years

 

[Gkinghrn]

Mini MTW is approx 272g due to the accessorise DJI sell with it, prop guards and sticker pack.

yep I think we all know that its over 250g with ANY additional item added other than ND filters..

 

[scro]

It also has a camera which means it needs registered ... the weight issue would need to understand what the definition of “flying weight” actually is. It must be defined somewhere?

Definition is given on pg8, last bullet point: The weight of the unmanned aircraft at any time while it is in flight

That to me means 249g (ignoring very slight variations) for the standard CE MM without any accessories, rather than 272g. 272g might be a fair assumption for the no-longer-applicable MTOM, though as the MM can fly with prop guards on

@TDZHDTV where does the 150m distance for A1 category come from? It's clear this is applicable to category A3 as that document states as much on pg47 , but not clear it is applicable to A1.

 

[Alex2]

Mini MTW is approx 272g due to the accessorise DJI sell with it, prop guards and sticker pack.

That is correct, and when flown in this configuration will be limited to subcategory A3.

Hi, I was taking legacy in 2 years

As long as a Mavic Mini weighs less than 250 grams at the time of flight, it will be able to be flown in the A1 subcategory indefinitely.

Source: CAP1789: The EU UAS Regulation Package – Outline

 

[AndreaBB]

Hi, I was taking legacy in 2 years

Legacy is not transitional. While it's good, they are messing it up.

 

[Alex2]

Legacy is not transitional. While it's good, they are messing it up.

It's certainly good news for any UK Mavic Mini owners. In theory you will be able to undertake flights directly from back (or front) gardens without impunity!

 

[Skyfli]

So will all the other DJI drones be obsolete except the MM?

 

[scro]

It's certainly good news for any UK Mavic Mini owners. In theory you will be able to undertake flights directly from back (or front) gardens without impunity!

That's pretty much how I understand it. Registration would be required, as would not endangering 3rd parties. Common sense and restraint would still be needed.

 

[TDZHDTV]

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[Alex2]

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This video was produced prior to the publication by the CAA of the latest version of CAP1789. It is likely MrMPW will be producing a new video in the weeks ahead reflecting the updated information.