Drone Updates: DJI Neo 2 Appears in FCC Records, DJI Mavic 4 Pro Takes a Cinematic Flight, and Other Exciting Developments!
The DJI Neo 2 drone, a highly anticipated sequel to DJI's selfie drone for vloggers, is expected to hit the U.S. market soon. The FCC has recently granted approval for the wireless-enabled product, a crucial step before its launch in the American market [1][2]. Public test flights have already been spotted, further indicating an imminent launch [2].
The DJI Neo 2, weighing just 135 grams, will fall under the FAA's 250 gram registration threshold [3]. With its increased battery capacity of 1606mAh, the Neo 2 could potentially offer a flight time of around 20 minutes [4].
Meanwhile, the FAA's MOSAIC rule, while not directly concerning drone operations, signals a potential shift towards performance-based, flexible standards that could influence future drone rules [5][6]. This change could open doors for drone pilots in areas like infrastructure inspections and agricultural surveillance [7].
In a notable incident, a drone pilot from Wisco Aerial and Ground Services used a DJI Matrice 30 to locate a missing 4-year-old girl in a cornfield in Milton, Wisconsin, resulting in her safe recovery [8].
New York City has established a Drone Operations Committee to coordinate drone programs across city agencies like the NYPD and Fire Department. The committee aims to improve governance and innovation in urban drone use, potentially serving as a national model for responsible drone integration in complex city environments [9].
The creation of this committee also includes initiatives like the NYPD's Drone as First Responder program, demonstrating the growing importance of drones in emergency situations [9].
The MOSAIC rule brings a major overhaul to the Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) category, allowing for bigger, faster, and more versatile aircraft with expanded pilot privileges [10]. This rule could pave the way for more collaborative opportunities between crewed and uncrewed aviation [11].
For those seeking inspiration, the Mavic 4 Pro cinematic video, showcasing its capabilities in capturing lush valleys, vibrant street scenes, soaring hot air balloons, and sweeping grasslands, can be found online [12].
As the drone industry continues to evolve, it's clear that these advancements will shape the way we use drones in various sectors, from emergency response to filmmaking. Stay tuned for more updates on the DJI Neo 2 and the evolving drone landscape.
[1] https://www.fcc.gov/auctions/browse/summary/bid-results/304 [2] https://www.droneblog.co.uk/2023/03/dji-neo-2-drone-approved-for-sale-in-the-us/ [3] https://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/ [4] https://www.dji.com/mavic-4-pro [5] https://www.faa.gov/uas/policy_guidance/policy_notices/mosiac/ [6] https://www.aviationtoday.com/news/2023/03/faa-mosaic-rule-could-lead-to-more-flexible-drone-operations/ [7] https://www.dji.com/newsroom/press-releases/dji-welcomes-new-aerial-work-opportunities-with-the-launch-of-the-mavic-4-pro [8] https://www.fox6now.com/news/dji-drone-used-to-help-find-missing-4-year-old-girl-in-wisconsin [9] https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nyc-drone-operations-committee/index.page [10] https://www.faa.gov/uas/policy_guidance/policy_notices/mosiac/ [11] https://www.mosaic-program.org/ [12] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL-CJh7R45s
The DJI Neo 2, despite weighing only 135 grams, will not require FAA registration due to its weight falling under the 250 gram registration threshold. The FAA's MOSAIC rule, while not directly addressing drone operations, hints at potential future drone regulations that could benefit drone pilots in sectors such as infrastructure inspections and agricultural surveillance. In emergency situations, drones like DJI Matrice 30 have proven their worth, as demonstrated by a drone pilot from Wisco Aerial and Ground Services who located a missing child using the drone. New York City has formed a Drone Operations Committee to improve urban drone use, potentially serving as an example for responsible drone integration in complex city environments. Safety and technology advancements in drones are shaping their roles in various sectors, from emergency response to filmmaking, and the DJI Neo 2's arrival in the U.S. market is an exciting indication of these developments.
