The (UK) drone code states "You do not have to keep your drone or model aircraft in direct sight when follow-me mode is active...".When I first read that, I assumed that it only referred to the controller sharing it's GPS and the drone keeping at the same relative location. However, some of the flight modes on the Mini 3 Pro (e.g. Activetrack) do follow the subject. Are these permitted without keeping eyes on the drone? In the right location it would be great to be able to use that sort of feature while cycling (obviously I need to be able to fly the drone in a location where it is away from the road and tracking parallel in free space).

That seems to conflict with -

https://register-drones.caa.co.u ... ely-and-responsibly
Always keep your drone or model aircraft in direct sight and make sure you have a full view of the surrounding airspace

You must be sure that you'll be able to spot any hazards, in the air or on the ground, and avoid any collisions.

You must be able to see your drone or model aircraft clearly enough that you can tell which way it’s facing. This is so that you can steer and control it safely, even if something happens unexpectedly.

You must be able to see it without using:

binoculars
a telephoto lens
electronic viewing equipment, such as a smart phone, tablet or video goggles

DAFlys Posted at 3-15 02:58
That seems to conflict with -

https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/flying-safely-and-responsibly

I agree that it seems to conflict, but it's stated in the CAA's own code: https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/the_drone_code.pdf

It's item 35 on page 41.

DJIDronePete Posted at 3-15 03:04
I agree that it seems to conflict, but it's stated in the CAA's own code: https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/the_drone_code.pdf

It's item 35 on page 41.

It may be moot as I dont think the firmware in the UK limits the drone to 50m like it does in the EU which appears to be required here.  

DAFlys Posted at 3-15 03:13
It may be moot as I dont think the firmware in the UK limits the drone to 50m like it does in the EU which appears to be required here.

The way that I see it could be used is:

* Use the parallel track mode (which is one of the most obvious modes to use)
* Fly the drone to say 20m away
* Lock it onto me as the subject in the active track mode
* Then, if I've understood the user manual correctly, when I move the drone will maintain the same relative location (based on its image processing) so will always be 20m away.

I'm intrigued by your comment that UK and EU firmware may be different (especially given that I will be taking my drone to Europe) - is the firmware really different? Especially (as below) there is no practical difference between the UK and EU rules in this respect.

I've checked the European rules (https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/do ... tems-regulations-eu) and they are identical to the UK drone code:

Article 4, para 1d: the remote pilot keeps the unmanned aircraft in VLOS at all times except when flying in follow-me mode or when using an unmanned aircraft observer as specified in Part A of the Annex;
by way of derogation from point (d) of paragraph 1 of Article 4, be conducted, when the follow-me mode is active, up to a distance of 50 metres from the remote pilot;

Drones detect where they take off from based on GPS and adjust their settings accordingly.  So for example take your drone to the USA and you'll get 5x the range that you do here as it will detect the location and increase the radio power to that regions max level.  

The EU rule was =
if equipped with a follow-me mode and when this function is on, be in a range not exceeding 50 m from the remote pilot, and make it possible for the remote pilot to regain control of the UA;
(https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2019/945/2020-08-09)

This was an enforced limit which is where I think the UK may differ.  so your plan should be fine as long as the drone doest loose you due to an obstacle.