Should I change the drone classification from C0 to C1 and get the appropriate sticker?
I understand that since my drone weighs more than 250 grams anyway (due to the Plus Intelligent Flight Batteries), even though it is classified as C0 by default, it should be changed to C1 (because of the weight).
It is also possible that after changing to C1, I will have the option to modify the Remote ID.
I read that the process of changing from C0 to C1 is lengthy (including receiving stickers by mail) and irreversible,
so I am consulting here first to see if it is worth it.

Not worth it for EU,  the only benefit is it unlocks >120m flights,   plus batteries are not official in EU and mean A3 airspace only.  

DAFlys Posted at 1-25 01:40
Not worth it for EU,  the only benefit is it unlocks >120m flights,   plus batteries are not official in EU and mean A3 airspace only.

Thanks, so using DJI Mini 4 Pro with plus batteries in the EU as C0, it leagal'
and I don't have to change it to C1?

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 02:02
Thanks, so using DJI Mini 4 Pro with plus batteries in the EU as C0, it leagal'
and I don't have to change it to C1?

It wouldn't be C0 as it voids the classification as they are not available here.   Which pushes it to A3 airspace.

DAFlys Posted at 1-25 02:04
It wouldn't be C0 as it voids the classification as they are not available here.   Which pushes it to A3 airspace.

So it's not C0 and not C1, it's without any classification since the plus batteries are not offiial in the EU, and it's 100% leagal to use the drone like this in the EU, at A3 zones?
Did I get it correctly?

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 02:07
So it's not C0 and not C1, it's without any classification since the plus batteries are not offiial in the EU, and it's 100% leagal to use the drone like this in the EU, at A3 zones?
Did I get it correctly?

Thats exactly correct.   To be honest I would only fly plus battery in open empty countryside and the standard battery lets you fly everywhere else except crowded areas and NFZs like h0spitals, prisons etc.  

DAFlys Posted at 1-25 02:09
Thats exactly correct.   To be honest I would only fly plus battery in open empty countryside and the standard battery lets you fly everywhere else except crowded areas and NFZs like h0spitals, prisons etc.

Thank you so much!

1. Why whould you only fly with plus battery in open empty countryside?
"A1: flight over people but not over crowds, A3: flight away from people"
Can't you fly with the plus batteries at the same places you would fly with regular batteries, but just make sure there are no people there?

2. When you only allowed to fly in A3 and not in A1 fly zone, would the drone limit itself and prevent you from flying in A1, or it's only up to the operator to limit himself?

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 02:24
Thank you so much!

1. Why whould you only fly with plus battery in open empty countryside?

because the plus battery is an unofficial modification here it removes the C0 from the drone making it unclassificed so it can only fly A3,  A3 be definition is No flight within 150m horizontally of residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas.

Its down to the operator to fly correctly based on the drone they are flying at the time,  the only limit you will see is the drone will not exceed 120m altitude unless you go through the C1 certification.

DAFlys Posted at 1-25 02:28
because the plus battery is an unofficial modification here it removes the C0 from the drone making it unclassificed so it can only fly A3,  A3 be definition is No flight within 150m horizontally of residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas.

Its down to the operator to fly correctly based on the drone they are flying at the time,  the only limit you will see is the drone will not exceed 120m altitude unless you go through the C1 certification.

Thank you!

So once I will be the the EU, even if the "Remote ID" option under the Safety will show up,
I do NOT need to put there my operator Id, since my drone has no C classification,
but I DO need to put my operator Id sticker on the drone itself, right?

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 02:57
Thank you!

So once I will be the the EU, even if the "Remote ID" option under the Safety will show up,

You'll need to do the sticker and in some EU countries that needs to be a fire proof sticker.   

DAFlys Posted at 1-25 03:12
You'll need to do the sticker and in some EU countries that needs to be a fire proof sticker.

Thanks!

BTW, If I will buy an original battery (are they sold seperately?) and use it instead of the plus batteries,
the clasisfication will be automatically C0 without anything else I need to do,
And I will also be able to request a change from C0 to C1?

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 03:14
Thanks!

BTW, If I will buy an original battery (are they sold seperately?) and use it instead of the plus batteries,

Yes you can buy the standard batteries separately and you could request C1 labels but allow a few weeks for them to be delivered so that you can then complete the process.  

DAFlys Posted at 1-25 03:20
Yes you can buy the standard batteries separately and you could request C1 labels but allow a few weeks for them to be delivered so that you can then complete the process.

Thank you, and do you think it's recommended?

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 03:42
Thank you, and do you think it's recommended?

With the standard battery you have no issues flying in residential etc area,  subject to the local rules which EASA would make you believe don't exist.

DAFlys Posted at 1-25 05:31
With the standard battery you have no issues flying in residential etc area,  subject to the local rules which EASA would make you believe don't exist.

1. If I will buy regular battery and change from C0 to C1, the DJI Mini 4 Pro will be able to transmit the Remote ID?
I'm asking because I read that with this drone, it only transmit the Remote ID with the plus battery.

2. In order to fill in the operator id as Remote Id, I need to be physically in the EU?

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 06:22
1. If I will buy regular battery and change from C0 to C1, the DJI Mini 4 Pro will be able to transmit the Remote ID?
I'm asking because I read that with this drone, it only transmit the Remote ID with the plus battery.

The only way your drone will transmit RID is if the drone is C1 classified.  When it is C1 classified, then you will be able to fill in your RID.  You will also be able to fly above 120 meter over your start point (but you will still get a warning), but the restriction of not flying more than 120 meters above ground (or away from a cliff - where you can go a lot higher as long as you are not more than 120 meters from the cliff) still applies - as for or drones in the open category (A1, A2 and A3).

As DAFlys says, You will then have more limitations of where you can fly (not allowed to fly over uninvolved persons, but in addition to that you are also required to possess a pilot certificate for A1/A3 (simple online course and exam - free).

If you reclassify, there is no way back.

fgange57 Posted at 1-25 11:22
The only way your drone will transmit RID is if the drone is C1 classified.  When it is C1 classified, then you will be able to fill in your RID.  You will also be able to fly above 120 meter over your start point (but you will still get a warning), but the restriction of not flying more than 120 meters above ground (or away from a cliff - where you can go a lot higher as long as you are not more than 120 meters from the cliff) still applies - as for or drones in the open category (A1, A2 and A3).

As DAFlys says, You will then have more limitations of where you can fly (not allowed to fly over uninvolved persons, but in addition to that you are also required to possess a pilot certificate for A1/A3 (simple online course and exam - free).

I have DJI Mini 4 Pro Plus/Combo (with smart/heavier batteries),
I already passed the exam and got my A1/A3 certification,
But I understand that I don't have any way to ask for C1 since I'm using the smart battery, correct?
BTW, is the exam free? I paid 50 euro to take it at one of the EU Aviation websites.

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 11:27
I have DJI Mini 4 Pro Plus/Combo (with smart/heavier batteries),
I already passed the exam and got my A1/A3 certification,
But I understand that I don't have any way to ask for C1 since I'm using the smart battery, correct?

In Norway at least, the course and exam is free (certificate making it legal to fly in EU as well, as we follow the same rules as in the EU).

The issue with the smart battery plus is that it seems DJI block the use of this, so if your drone isn't locked, you probably haven't updated your firmware in a while.  This will not change if you upgrade to C1 (even if the C1 category covers a weight up to 900 grams). Looks like a lack of willingness from DJI to make a firmware change blocking only the C0 classed drones (making the C1 reclassified ones working with the plus batteries).

If you are able to fly with this larges battery, your drone is no longer compliant to the C0 classification and should therefore only be used according to the rules for A1. I am just baffled of how square these rules are (but then again, who would know unless you are checked?).
Another thing is that the rules also say that if the drone does not have any classification mark and is below 500 grams, you are have to comply with the same rules as for C1.
I have seen that this rule has confused someone, because it is mentioned under C1 marked drones but the limit for C1 is 900g.

fgange57 Posted at 1-25 11:47
In Norway at least, the course and exam is free (certificate making it legal to fly in EU as well, as we follow the same rules as in the EU).

The issue with the smart battery plus is that it seems DJI block the use of this, so if your drone isn't locked, you probably haven't updated your firmware in a while.  This will not change if you upgrade to C1 (even if the C1 category covers a weight up to 900 grams). Looks like a lack of willingness from DJI to make a firmware change blocking only the C0 classed drones (making the C1 reclassified ones working with the plus batteries).

I just bought the bundle, I updated the firmware and I can fly the drone (not sure what deos "locked" mean).
But I understood that it's the EU/EASA that doesn't consider the plus battery as valid add on, isn't it?
Or it's also DJI, since they won't allow me to change it to C1.

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 11:52
I just bought the bundle, I updated the firmware and I can fly the drone (not sure what deos "locked" mean).
But I understood that it's the EU/EASA that doesn't consider the plus battery as valid add on, isn't it?
Or it's also DJI, since they won't allow me to change it to C1.

From what I have seen of comments and from DJI on this forum, the heavier Plus battery prevents the drone from starting up (at least in the EU). DJI don't know what battery you have inserted in your drone when applying for C1. I believe (as said earlier) that this is to prevent DJI from getting trouble of having C0 drones that does not comply to the regulations (which could have been fixed setting a limitations to allow only the C1 classified Mini 4's to fly and not the C0 ones.  I do not believe you should have any problems getting your Mini 4 reclassified.

Since your drone still works with the larger plus battery, are you not situated in EU/UK?

fgange57 Posted at 1-25 12:05
From what I have seen of comments and from DJI on this forum, the heavier Plus battery prevents the drone from starting up (at least in the EU). DJI don't know what battery you have inserted in your drone when applying for C1. I believe (as said earlier) that this is to prevent DJI from getting trouble of having C0 drones that does not comply to the regulations (which could have been fixed setting a limitations to allow only the C1 classified Mini 4's to fly and not the C0 ones.  I do not believe you should have any problems getting your Mini 4 reclassified.

Since your drone still works with the larger plus battery, are you not situated in EU/UK?

I'm not at the EU/UK, I just bought the product for a trip that I'm planning in Europe.
Are you sure that in the EU I will NOT be able to use the drone with the smart batteries?

I didn't know these batteries are not offical from DJI.

Is it possible to buy one new original (light) battery from DJI?

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 12:09
I'm not at the EU/UK, I just bought the product for a trip that I'm planning in Europe.
Are you sure that in the EU I will NOT be able to use the drone with the smart batteries?

Then I suggest you buy original batteries from DJI, otherwise your drone will not work when you come to EU.

This is what I found on the DJI store (choose the Mini 4 249g labelled battery).
https://store.dji.com/no/list/ca ... from=store_homepage (you may have to select your country).

I guess you also probably have local retailers (DJI retailers) in your country?

fgange57 Posted at 1-25 12:26
Then I suggest you buy original batteries from DJI, otherwise your drone will not work when you come to EU.

This is what I found on the DJI store (choose the Mini 4 249g labelled battery).

Yes, there are local retailers, but are you sure that with the plus battery, the drone will not work at the EU?
From what I read here, it's totally leagal to use the plus battery at the EU,
And the only limitation will be that I will only be allowed to fly the drone at A3 fly zone and not A1.

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 06:22
1. If I will buy regular battery and change from C0 to C1, the DJI Mini 4 Pro will be able to transmit the Remote ID?
I'm asking because I read that with this drone, it only transmit the Remote ID with the plus battery.

If you change to C1 you can do remote ID,   but if you are visiting make sure you are here long enough for the labels to be posted to you,    they come out of the Netherlands I believe so can take a week or two depending on where you are visiting.

The plus batteries will warn you of the weight issue like this

DAFlys Posted at 1-26 05:40
If you change to C1 you can do remote ID,   but if you are visiting make sure you are here long enough for the labels to be posted to you,    they come out of the Netherlands I believe so can take a week or two depending on where you are visiting.

The plus batteries will warn you of the weight issue like this [view_image]

And I will be able to just ignore the warning and fly the drone at the EU?

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-25 12:34
Yes, there are local retailers, but are you sure that with the plus battery, the drone will not work at the EU?
From what I read here, it's totally leagal to use the plus battery at the EU,
And the only limitation will be that I will only be allowed to fly the drone at A3 fly zone and not A1.

The plus battery should be possible to use, but due to DJI prevent it from being possible in EU. To be able to fly in EU with your Mini 4 pro, you will have to use the standard battery.  A1 or A3 is irrelevant, because the drone will not work in EU with the plus battery.

fgange57 Posted at 1-26 07:18
The plus battery should be possible to use, but due to DJI prevent it from being possible in EU. To be able to fly in EU with your Mini 4 pro, you will have to use the standard battery.  A1 or A3 is irrelevant, because the drone will not work in EU with the plus battery.

"due to DJI prevent it from being possible in EU. To be able to fly in EU with your Mini 4 pro, you will have to use the standard battery"

Are you sure about it?
The DJI Admin in this forum said that DJI does NOT prevent the drone to fly at the EU with smart/heavy battery.

See here: https://forum.dji.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=331825

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-26 07:21
"due to DJI prevent it from being possible in EU. To be able to fly in EU with your Mini 4 pro, you will have to use the standard battery"

Are you sure about it?

I must admin that I haven't tried myself, because DJI does not sell the Plus battery in Europe and DJI have told me (and I have seen several posts about it) that your drone will not start if you put the Plus battery on and try to start up in Europe. It will be interesting to see if it works, so please tell me.

If it works, and to my understanding, the drone is no longer C0 compatible, but due to the weight it seems like as long as it is below 500g you should be allowed flying it (if it works) under the same requirements as for C1 (no flying over uninvolved persons - C0 says avoid flying over uninvolved persons). I have seen some interpretations in certain European countries that they require RID to be allowed to fly, and this is only achievable if you reclassify to C1.

Go and certify it as C1! After that You are legal to fly it with Plus batteries. What the DJI answering robot confuses here is that they don't sell Plus batteries in EU, since Mini4 Pro is by default C0 and it would be illegal.
The drone WILL take off with Plus batteries! But of course check the laws of destination country to be sure side legal because laws may vary in different countries!
When You have C1 completed, the RID will open up, however it is not necessary in all the EU regions. Only Your Registration Number is required, keep the Identification Number for Yourself until asked by authorities!
Fun Fact: The DJI resellers in EU claim that drone will not take off with Plus battery in Europe (not true)!

ES1ZR Posted at 1-26 07:43
Go and certify it as C0! After that You are legal to fly it with Plus batteries. What the DJI answering robot confuses here is that they don't sell Plus batteries in EU, since Mini4 Pro is by default C0 and it would be illegal.
The drone WILL take off with Plus batteries! But of course check the laws of destination country to be sure side legal because laws may vary in different countries!
When You have C1 completed, the RID will open up, however it is not necessary in all the EU regions. Only Your Registration Number is required, keep the Identification Number for Yourself until asked by authorities!

1. How do I certiify is as C0 and why should I do that?

2. What do you mean by "DJI answering robot"? to the DJI admin that answer here? it seems it has good answers, no?

3. So the drone will work with the Plus batteries in Europe, correct?

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-26 09:03
1. How do I certiify is as C0 and why should I do that?

2. What do you mean by "DJI answering robot"? to the DJI admin that answer here? it seems it has good answers, no?

Hi!
I am really sorry - typo! I meant C1!
Sorry again!

ES1ZR Posted at 1-26 11:42
Hi!
I am really sorry - typo! I meant C1!
Sorry again!

No worries :-)
Just to make sure: the drone will work with the Plus batteries in Europe, correct?

ThinkSmart Posted at 1-26 14:22
No worries :-)
Just to make sure: the drone will work with the Plus batteries in Europe, correct?

If you search you tube many people have the plus battery in the EU and UK. If it does not work just buy a normal weight battery from Amazon when in the UK and you will be able to fly. Just fly sensibly and respectfully and I am sure you will be ok.

Yes, it will work!

I just certified it as C1 and now I am able to set the RID. Also I can fly with Plus batteries without breaking the law.The only thing I can't do is to buy Plus batteries in EU.