I’m considering registering my mini 3, which I’ve added weight to (lights, airtag, maybe an extended battery). It looks like I’ll need a Remote ID module, which isn’t a big deal. I already have (or should receive hopefully this week) my Part 107, although I’m currently flying recreationally. I don’t anticipate using this drone professionally since the image quality is only 4k. However, having it as a backup for commercial use could be useful.
Are there any advantages or disadvantages to registering it as recreational versus commercial, besides not being able to use it commercially if registered as recreational?
I believe the mini 3 has Remote ID built into it, so you shouldn’t need an additional transmitter. It may need a firmware update, but my mini 3 Pro already has Remote ID.
I would suggest registering as commercial because you can register multiple drones under that number, and it costs the same as recreational registration.
Edit: I got it backwards, you can only register one drone per registration number with your Part 107… Recreational drones can have multiple under one number.
I believe the Mini 3’s RID only works if the Plus batteries are used. So the OP would need to use Plus batteries or get the external RID. Personally, I would just use the Plus batteries. This is what I did for my Mini 4 Pro.
Eli said: @Mirriam
I don’t understand. The Plus battery includes built-in RID?
No, certain DJI drones are set up so that when they use the bigger batteries, it activates Remote ID as the drone is now over 250g and Remote ID is required. If you are not using the bigger batteries, it does not broadcast Remote ID because some people are paranoid and afraid of Remote ID. The law states you cannot disable or turn off Remote ID on a drone, so this is a way to try to get around the rules and sell the same drone to two different types of users. However, technically, the law states that any drone which is registered must broadcast Remote ID. So, to be in full compliance with the law, once you use the larger batteries, you can never go back to the smaller ones.
Eli said: @Mirriam
I don’t understand. The Plus battery includes built-in RID?
No, the Plus batteries allow the internal RID to be activated. Without the Plus batteries, there is no way to activate the built-in RID. So, you use the Plus batteries, and the drone automatically turns on the RID because with the Plus batteries, the drone is over 250g.