EASA Confirms DJI Mini 5 Pro Retains C0 Status Despite 252g Weight

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has officially confirmed that the DJI Mini 5 Pro maintains its C0 classification, even though many units weigh 252-253 grams. EASA engineer Natale Di Rubbo clarified that the prEN 4709-001 standard allows a 3% tolerance on maximum take-off mass during certification.

The announcement brings relief to thousands of drone pilots across Europe who were concerned about the Mini 5 Pro’s real-world weight exceeding the critical 250-gram threshold established by EU Regulation 2019/945. This weight limit separates drones that can be flown without additional licensing requirements from those requiring more complex certifications.

READ MORE:

• No Weight Tolerance for DJI Mini 5 Pro in United States as per FAA Drone Regulations
• The Real Reason Your New DJI Mini 5 Pro is Overweight

EASA Engineer Provides Official Clarification

In an official response to Andrea Pinotti and Quadricottero News, EASA’s Drone Project Manager Natale Di Rubbo stated:

“I have verified: the Mini 5 Pro has a declaration of conformity with Regulation 2019/945 for class C0. A closer reading of the prEN 4709-001 standard reveals that the required tolerance is ±3%.”

This tolerance means DJI’s declared weight of 249.9 grams can legally vary by ±7 grams, bringing the actual compliance limit to 256.9 grams. Since real-world Mini 5 Pro units typically weigh 252-253 grams, they remain well within regulatory parameters.

Understanding the C0 Compliance Framework

The prEN 4709-001 standard establishes two critical conditions for C0 classification that the Mini 5 Pro meets:

Declared MTOM Requirement: The manufacturer’s stated maximum take-off mass must be under 250 grams. DJI specified 249.9 grams, satisfying this formal requirement.

Configuration Mass Verification: The heaviest certified configuration, including all approved accessories, must not exceed the declared MTOM by more than 3%. A notified body has certified that DJI passed all compliance tests confirming the product meets required standards.

Importantly, this tolerance applies only to manufacturers during the certification phase of class-marked drones. It does not extend to self-built drones or those without class marking where the standard doesn’t apply.

What This Means for Drone Pilots

The C0 classification allows the Mini 5 Pro to be operated under the Open A1 category without requiring a drone pilot license in most EU member states. Pilots can fly in populated areas while maintaining appropriate distances from people, making it ideal for content creators and professionals who need operational flexibility.

The weight controversy emerged immediately after DJI launched the Mini 5 Pro last week, with specialized forums and social media buzzing about potential regulatory complications. The official EASA confirmation eliminates this uncertainty for European operators.

DroneXL’s Take

This clarification demonstrates the importance of understanding regulatory nuances beyond simple weight thresholds. While the 250-gram limit seems absolute, the underlying standards accommodate real-world manufacturing variations through established tolerance mechanisms.

For drone manufacturers, this precedent reinforces the value of conservative MTOM declarations during certification. DJI’s 249.9-gram specification, just 0.1 grams under the threshold, proved strategically sound when combined with the 3% tolerance provision.

The broader lesson? Regulatory compliance in aviation involves complex frameworks that extend beyond headline specifications. As Di Rubbo noted, EASA is working on authorization process simplifications, suggesting continued evolution in drone regulations.

What’s your experience with Mini 5 Pro weight variations? Have regulatory uncertainties affected your drone purchasing decisions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.