Please clarify 120m height restriction when outside the EU

[Feek]

I am in the UK. Aircraft is firmware 01.00.0310, RC Firmware is 02.00.500. When there is no GPS signal it is maxed out at 500. If there is a signal it can only fly 120m irrespective of whether the slider said 500 or not.

I did a test with my new Mini 4 this morning, in fact, it's the first time it's been in the air - I drove out to a car park by a kids playground and made a quick flight. Once the drone had GPS lock, I went into the settings and set the maximum altitude to 140m, then I took off, did the basic checks, landed, took off again, flew up to 11m and hovered there for a few moments. I then raised the drone up to 38m and flew forwards until I was over a field.

From there, I went straight up, passed 120m, had the warning and continued flying to the ceiling I'd set of 140m. Flew straight back down again and then reset the maximum to 120m. I won't be doing this again, it was purely to test and demonstrate the behaviour of a newly bought Mini 4 in the UK.

If anyone doubts it, I can share a video but I'm not posting it publicly.

I'm running the most recent firmware on the controller and drone and I am in the UK.

 

[WNYBill]

My question is answered. I have a very steep hill almost a cliff, 300 meters from my house where I will be flying. Checked a topo survey map to see the actual elevation change, 1600 ft to 2080 ft.

I am still in the decision process, but it looks like a Mini 4 pro will work.

Thanks again.

Bill

 

[Droning on and on...]

I know what the regulations say about 400 feet AGL. Not necessary for you to remind me, I've know it for years...literally. You're a smart guy, clearly you didn't honestly believe that anyone thought the flyer gets to set his own AGL and legally fly there as long as it is "reasonable", c'mon.

It wasn't for you, it was for others reading, maybe new and far less experienced than you, that might be confused by your statement.

 

[Feek]

Hi. I purchased a DJI Mini Pro 4 this week. It is limited to 120m flight height. I am in the UK.

Out of interest, where did you buy it from? It makes no sense that the one you bought in the UK this week won’t go above 120m and yet the one I bought in the UK this week will go above 120m.

 

[Pinyoro]

Out of interest, where did you buy it from? It makes no sense that the one you bought in the UK this week won’t go above 120m and yet the one I bought in the UK this week will go above 120m.

Thanks for testing it out. I don't know what's going on to be honest. Bought it from DJI | Hasselblad Experience Store in Birmingham.

 

[Pedrofcarreira]

Has anyone tried using it outside the EU to see if it’s still limited to 120m ?

 

[DarR-T]

In my situation, the mountain in question only has a 1500' vertical. It's not near any airports or any other controlled zones so that's not an issue. However, the 400' DJI altitude restriction is. How can I disable the 400' limit to get up there ?

 

[Meta4]

In my situation, the mountain in question only has a 1500' vertical. It's not near any airports or any other controlled zones so that's not an issue. However, the 400' DJI altitude restriction is. How can I disable the 400' limit to get up there ?

You list your location as Canada so your drone doesn't have a hard 400 ft limit.
It has a user-configurable 400 ft limit and a 1640 ft hard-wired limit.
If you want to fly higher than 400 ft relative to your launch point, all you need to do is adjust your max Altitude in your settings.

 

[Hauptmann]

A note of caution: I had my old Mavic 2 up to 1640 feet as a test (using No-Limit Drones) in a "safe" area. Suddenly I heard a helicopter nearby. It took a LONG time to get my drone down to a safe level. Fortunately the chopper did not come near enough for there to be a problem, but if it had, my flying would have definitely been a hazard. From a photographic perspective , there's no point in being that high anyway. Never again!

 

[mavic3usa]

A note of caution: I had my old Mavic 2 up to 1640 feet as a test (using No-Limit Drones) in a "safe" area. Suddenly I heard a helicopter nearby. It took a LONG time to get my drone down to a safe level. Fortunately the chopper did not come near enough for there to be a problem, but if it had, my flying would have definitely been a hazard. From a photographic perspective , there's no point in being that high anyway. Never again!

Yes for sure if you are 1640 feet above the ground, I can see how that would be quite a hazard particularly since you cannot see your drone. However, I believe the poster wanted to say within 400 feet of the ground below his drone yet rise to the top of a mountain more than 1000 feet high.

 

[Felix le Chat]

No idea but if it had, surely there would be a lot of people complaining about it.

The private company (Altitude Angel) that has the contract to provide geofencing to both the EU and Britain is still working the knots out of their EASA compliant replacement for DJI geozones. They have rolled out in Eire (an EU member state) but so far: not in the UK. This is the mandatory pre-flight geofencing map being referred to.

From conversations I've had with one of their staffers: their not-yet-realized goal is general pay-per-flight for drones which they're trialling with their 'Heritage Protection' package (search: Guardian UTM).

 

[Hauptmann]

The private company (Altitude Angel) that has the contract to provide geofencing to both the EU and Britain is still working the knots out of their EASA compliant replacement for DJI geozones. They have rolled out in Eire (an EU member state) but so far: not in the UK. This is the mandatory pre-flight geofencing map being referred to.

From conversations I've had with one of their staffers: their not-yet-realized goal is general pay-per-flight for drones which they're trialling with their 'Heritage Protection' package (search: Guardian UTM).

Pay-per-flight? No thanks. I hope their plan remains not-yet-realized

 

[Felix le Chat]

Pay-per-flight? No thanks. I hope their plan remains not-yet-realized

You and me both... current UK airspace regulations are what's holding them back: but this is a company that has got a seat at the Big Table regarding the UK Government's planning and implementation of future UAV regulation laid out in the successor to ANO2016 (Air Navigation Order) so I'm sure they'll find a way to spin a profit out of it.