CASA Introduces Flexible Registration for DJI Mini 5 Pro: Should Other Regulators Follow?

Australia’s aviation authority has quietly implemented a pragmatic solution to the DJI Mini 5 Pro weight controversy—one that places responsibility on operators while acknowledging the reality of configuration-based weight variance.

Rather than forcing all Mini 5 Pro units into a single regulatory category, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority now offers two distinct registration options in their myCASA portal:

• Mini 5 Pro – Weight 250g or less
• Mini 5 Pro – Weight more than 250g

This flexible approach, confirmed through multiple sources including CASA’s official media response and verified by Australian drone operators, represents a significant departure from CASA’s initial October 2025 stance and stands in stark contrast to the rigid classification systems employed by other major aviation authorities worldwide.

How the Dual Registration System Works

The registration options now appear in CASA’s myCASA portal alongside other DJI Mini models, giving operators the ability to register based on their drone’s actual configuration and weight at takeoff.

Danny Elassad, General Manager & Chief Remote Pilot at Hoverscape, who first brought this development to DroneXL’s attention, explained the significance in an email dated November 1, 2025:

“That email came through in CASA’s follow-up email after the RPAS and AAM webinar, which included the on-demand recording link. I’ve attached screenshots from the myCASA registration portal showing the new registration options.”

Elassad noted that the system “lines up with CASA’s note that operators are responsible for registering based on the drone’s actual weight. So this is a big win.”

Josh Spires, DroneXL’s Australia-based team writer and experienced drone operator, confirmed the implementation, verifying that the dual registration options are now live in the system and represent a practical solution that recognizes the reality of how these drones perform in the field.

Official CASA Position on Weight Classification

In an official response to DroneXL dated November 2, 2025, CASA Media provided crucial clarification on how they define drone weight categories and their approach to the Mini 5 Pro classification issue.

“The term ‘gross weight’ is used in regulation 101.022 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR). The intent of this provision is to refer to an RPA’s ‘maximum gross weight’. Maximum gross weight means the highest safe gross weight of the RPA, conceptionally mirroring the crewed aviation ‘maximum take-off weight (MTOW)’ concept,” CASA explained.

According to CASA, an RPA’s maximum gross weight is defined as the higher of:

• The manufacturer’s published maximum weight of the RPA (if any)
• The maximum weight of the RPA specified in the operator’s documented practices and procedures (if any)
• The actual maximum weight of the RPA during flight

CASA explained that this definition is designed to ensure each RPA model is classified under a single weight category for regulatory purposes. However, the new dual registration system gives operators flexibility to declare based on configuration at takeoff, aligning real‑world use with regulatory intent.

The authority directs operators to their plain English guide Part 101 Micro and excluded Remotely Piloted Aircraft operations – Version 2.2 for detailed requirements on operating in each RPA category.

What This Means for Mini 5 Pro Operators

The implications vary based on how you fly and which configuration you choose.

For Recreational Flyers

Good news—CASA doesn’t require registration or accreditation for any drone flown purely for fun, regardless of weight. If you’re flying your Mini 5 Pro as a hobby, you can continue without registration paperwork, whether your configuration weighs above or below 250 grams.

For Commercial Operators

You must register the drone with CASA and complete the free accreditation quiz, regardless of weight. However, with the new dual registration system:

• If your Mini 5 Pro configuration weighs 250 grams or less, you can register it in the micro category.
• If your configuration exceeds 250 grams, you register it in the small restricted category.

Registration costs apply for drones over 250 grams. Operators of small restricted drones under 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) can operate within CASA’s excluded category, allowing commercial flight without a remote pilot license, provided they follow standard operating conditions.

The Critical Airport Rule

All operators—recreational and commercial—must still comply with CASA’s standard drone safety rules. The key practical difference: pilots who register their Mini 5 Pro as sub-250 grams retain more flexible operations near controlled airports, while those over 250 grams face the standard 5.5-kilometer (3.4-mile) exclusion zone around controlled airports.

Configuration-Based Reality: Why This Matters

The Mini 5 Pro’s weight varies significantly based on configuration:

• Standard battery: Approximately 249 – 253 grams
• Plus battery: Typically 250–260 grams
• With accessories (prop guards, ND filters, etc.): Can exceed 250 grams

CASA’s dual registration approach acknowledges this reality. An operator using only the standard battery can legitimately register as sub-250 grams, while one using the Plus battery or additional accessories registers in the appropriate heavier category.

This places responsibility on operators to accurately assess and register their drone based on how they actually fly it—a more honest and practical approach than forcing all Mini 5 Pro units into a single category regardless of actual operating weight.

A Reversal from October 2025

This change marks a clear policy evolution from CASA’s initial October 2025 position, when the authority stated that the Mini 5 Pro would be classified solely as a small restricted RPA. The reconsideration appears to have followed operator feedback and internal review after widespread reports about configuration‑based weight differences.

The shift demonstrates regulatory willingness to adapt policies based on operational realities and operator feedback—a refreshing change in an industry often frustrated by inflexible bureaucratic responses.

Contrast with Other Major Regulators

CASA’s flexible approach stands in stark contrast to other major aviation authorities worldwide.

United States (FAA)

The Federal Aviation Administration requires registration and Remote ID compliance for all drones over 250 grams when flown recreationally, with no allowance for configuration differences or component tolerances. The FAA’s registry system is strictly mass‑based under 14 CFR 48.15 and does not differentiate between setups or accessories.

Canada (Transport Canada)

Similar to the FAA, Transport Canada requires registration for drones over 250 grams with no accommodation for weight variance between configurations. The authority has stated that pilots are responsible for verifying their drone’s weight and must register and certify any unit at or above the 250-gram threshold.

United Kingdom (CAA)

The UK Civil Aviation Authority follows a strict interpretation with no weight tolerances in UK regulations. Looking ahead, UK pilots face even stricter requirements beginning January 1, 2026, when the registration threshold drops from 250 grams to just 100 grams.

European Union (EASA)

While EASA accepts a ±3% manufacturing tolerance (allowing up to 257.4 grams) for C0 class certification, this applies to the manufacturer’s certification process during production approval, not operator registration based on configuration choices during actual operations.

Could the FAA Follow Suit?

The FAA faces similar challenges with drones that straddle weight thresholds. The Mini 5 Pro is just one example—many drones change weight based on battery selection, accessory choices, payload additions, and equipment configurations.

CASA’s precedent demonstrates that a flexible, configuration-based registration system can work within existing regulatory frameworks. Rather than the binary approach of “above or below 250 grams,” the FAA could implement:

• Operator declaration of typical operating configuration
• Registration options based on maximum takeoff weight with chosen configuration
• Operator responsibility for ensuring accurate classification
• Clear guidance on measuring and documenting drone weight

Such a system would reduce regulatory burden on operators using lighter configurations while maintaining safety standards for heavier configurations, reflecting real-world operational practices and increasing compliance through practical, achievable requirements.

Why CASA’s Approach Deserves Recognition

CASA’s dual registration system for the Mini 5 Pro is more than a convenient administrative update; it reflects a maturing regulatory approach that acknowledges how drone operators configure their aircraft in practice.

Traditional aviation regulation was built around aircraft with fixed specifications and capabilities. Drones, particularly consumer and prosumer models, exist in a more fluid space where capabilities can change based on operator choices about batteries, accessories, and configurations.

Regulators who recognize this reality and build flexibility into their systems will likely see higher compliance rates, more accurate registrations, better safety outcomes through proper categorization, and reduced frustration among responsible operators.

What Operators Should Do

If You’re in Australia

• Assess your Mini 5 Pro’s actual operating weight with your typical configuration.
• Register in the appropriate category in myCASA based on your actual use.
• Keep documentation of your drone’s weight for verification purposes.
• Re-register if you permanently change to a heavier or lighter configuration.

If You’re Outside Australia

• Continue following your local authority’s requirements.
• Consider advocating for similar flexible registration systems.
• Document your drone’s actual weight with different configurations.
• Watch for potential regulatory changes in your jurisdiction.

DroneXL’s Take

This represents a genuine win for common sense in drone regulation. After initially taking a hard line that the Mini 5 Pro would be classified only as a small restricted RPA, CASA reconsidered and implemented a system that actually reflects how pilots operate these drones in the real world.

The timing is particularly interesting given the broader regulatory challenges facing DJI globally. As of November 2025, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is not officially available for sale in the US, with DJI omitting it from their US online store and most authorized retailers unable to stock it—aside from occasional imports through third-party channels.

Looking ahead, the December 23, 2025 FCC deadline threatens to automatically place DJI products on the Covered List and revoke approval for new models, including the Mini 5 Pro, unless a national security audit is completed. This means that US pilots may find the Mini 5 Pro—and potentially other DJI drones—impossible to buy or import after that date, as sales and distribution could be prohibited even for previously approved products.

CASA’s approach acknowledges several important realities. First, the Mini 5 Pro’s weight variance stems from last-minute design changes—new propellers and an upgraded speaker that added approximately four grams total. Second, operators genuinely do configure these drones differently based on mission requirements. Someone flying commercially with the Plus battery for extended flight time has different needs than a recreational pilot using the standard battery.

The operator accountability aspect is crucial. Rather than the government dictating a single classification regardless of how you actually use the drone, CASA trusts operators to accurately register based on their configuration. This mirrors how responsible pilots already think about their aircraft—you know what battery you’re using, what accessories you’ve added, and what your takeoff weight will be.

Compare this to the regulatory mess we’ve seen elsewhere. The FAA maintains rigid thresholds with no tolerance, the UK is dropping its threshold to 100 grams, and we continue seeing protectionist policies disguised as security measures. CASA’s flexible approach shows that aviation authorities can adapt traditional regulatory frameworks to accommodate the unique characteristics of drone technology without compromising safety standards.

Could the FAA implement something similar? Absolutely. The regulatory infrastructure already exists—the agency just needs the political will to acknowledge that configuration-based weight matters. An operator using a Mini 5 Pro with standard battery, no accessories, for recreational flight presents a different risk profile than one using Plus battery with prop guards for commercial operations. Why shouldn’t registration reflect that reality?

That said, it’s vital for US-based operators to recognize that due to current FCC regulations and national security audits, the Mini 5 Pro may remain largely out of reach in America. Even as CASA’s flexible registration sets a global standard, imminent US bans could make this regulatory progress irrelevant locally—except perhaps as a model for what could have been, or for those able to import hardware before the Covered List deadline.

The broader question is whether this signals a trend. Will other regulators study CASA’s model and recognize that flexible, operator-accountable systems can actually improve safety outcomes through better compliance? Or will we continue seeing rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches that frustrate responsible operators while doing little to address actual safety concerns?

For now, Australian Mini 5 Pro operators have won a small but meaningful victory. The rest of the drone world should be watching closely.

What do you think of CASA’s approach? Should the FAA implement similar flexibility? Share your thoughts in the comments below.