DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Drones Cleared for FAA Category 2 Flight Over People

AVSS, a leading drone parachute recovery system manufacturer, has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the recent Category 2 Declaration of Compliance (DOC) for the AVSS PRS-M3E, a drone parachute for the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise and DJI Mavic 3 Thermal. This approval allows operators to legally fly these drones over people when equipped with the AVSS PRS-M3E.

Streamlining Commercial Drone Operations

This DOC marks the second Category 2 drone approval by the FAA, following the earlier approval of the AVSS PRS-M3DT for the DJI Dock 2. AVSS utilized their previously approved FAA Means of Compliance (MOC) for this DOC approval, demonstrating a repeatable and scalable process for compliance with FAA regulations.

Mariah Murray, V.P. of Operations at AVSS, highlighted the significance of this approval:

“With this second DOC approved by the FAA, there is a clear message to the commercial drone market that the FAA is open for business, and commercial drone operators can now fly over people without submitting a 107.39 waiver.”

Category 2 and 3 Drones: Expanding Operational Capabilities

Category 2 and Category 3 drones enable commercial operators to conduct flights over people without the need for a 107.39 waiver. These categories define performance-based eligibility and operational criteria for drone operations over individuals using unmanned aircraft weighing more than 0.55 pounds without an airworthiness certificate under part 21.

AVSS: Pioneering Drone Safety Solutions

Founded in 2017, AVSS specializes in Drone Technology for Urban Air Mobility. Their product line includes ASTM F3322 parachute recovery systems for commercial drones, independent flight termination systems, and precision-guided delivery systems for last-mile delivery.

AVSS offers retrofit products for various DJI models, including the M3D and M3TD for Dock 2, M200, MAVIC 3 ENTERPRISE, M300 RTK, and M350 RTK. These products are distributed globally through their network of over 50 authorized dealers and sold directly to drone manufacturers worldwide.

DroneXL’s Take

The FAA’s approval of the AVSS PRS-M3E for Category 2 flight over people is a significant step forward for the commercial Drone Industry. This development aligns with the growing trend of expanding drone applications across various sectors.

By enabling operators to fly DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise and Thermal drones over people without the need for individual waivers, this approval streamlines operations for businesses and First Responders alike. It reflects the industry’s ongoing efforts to balance innovation with safety, potentially paving the way for more widespread adoption of drone technology in urban and populated areas.

As the drone industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see more advancements in safety systems and regulatory approvals that will further integrate unmanned aircraft into our daily lives and business operations.