SAFETY GUIDELINES 

AND DISCLAIMER

PROFESSIONAL ADVANCED

PHANTOM 3 

V1.2 2015.9
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© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 1

Contents

Safety At a Glance 2

NOTICE 4

Glossary 4

Pre-flight Checklist 4

Disclaimer and Warning 5

FCC Compliance and Advisory 6

IMPORTANT NOTE: FCC Radiation Exposure Statement 6

FCC Class B Information 6

Before You Begin 7

Individual Parts 7

Regarding Genuine and Functional Parts 7

Remote Controller 7

Camera 8

Gimbal 8

Compass 8

Propulsion Systems 9

App 10

Firmware 10

Product Care 12

Storage and Transportation 12

Maintenance and Upkeep 12

Flight Condition Requirements 13

Weather Conditions and Surrounding Environment 13

Interference with Flight Controller, Communications, and Positioning Systems 13

Operating the Aircraft Responsibly 13

Flight Modes, Functions and Warnings 15

Flight Modes 15

Failsafe and Return to Home 15

Low Battery 16

Vision Positioning System 16

Compliance with Regulations & No-Fly Zones 17

Regulations 17

No-Fly Zones 18
2 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Safety At a Glance

1. Environmental Considerations

• Always fly at locations that are clear of building and other 

obstacles.

•  DO NOT fly above or near large crowds.

• Avoid flying at altitudes above 400 feet (120 m).

• Be very careful when flying 19,600 feet (6,000 m) or more 

above sea level. 

• Fly in moderate weather conditions with temperatures between 

0° to 40° C (32° to 104° F).

2. Pre-flight Checklist

• Ensure the remote controller and aircraft batteries are fully charged.

• Ensure the propellers are in good condition and securely tightened.

• Ensure there is nothing obstructing the motors. 

• Be sure to calibrate the compass at every new flight location or if the app prompts you.

• Check that the camera lens is clean and free of stains.

3. Operation

• Stay away from the rotating propellers and motors.

• Maintain line of sight of your aircraft at all times

• DO NOT perform the Combination Stick Command when the aircraft is in midair. 

• DO NOT answer incoming calls during flight. 

• DO NOT fly under the influence of alcohols or drugs.

• During the Return-to-Home procedure, you can adjust the altitude to avoid obstacles.

• DO NOT fly closely above reflective surfaces such as water or snow, as these terrain may affect 

the performance of the Vision Positioning System.

• In the instance of a Low Battery Warning, land the aircraft at a safe location.

• After landing, first turn off the Intelligent Flight Battery, then turn off the remote controller.

4. Maintenance and Upkeep

• DO NOT use aged, chipped or broken propellers.

• Recommended storage temperature: between 71° and 82° F (22° and 28° C).

• Refer to the Phantom 3 Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines for more information about the 

safe use of the battery.

5. Observe Local Laws and Regulations

• DO NOT fly in the No Fly Zones. You can find a complete list of these areas at http://flysafe.dji.com/

• The DJI No Fly Zone is not a replacement for local government regulations or good judgment.

•  Avoid flying in areas where rescue teams are actively using the airspace.

The Phantom 3 is 

NOT a toy and is not 

suitable for children 

under the age of 18.

Note that ‘Safety at a Glance’ only 

provides a quick overview of the 

safety tips. Make sure you read 

and understand the remaining 

sections of the Phantom 3 Safety 

Guidelines and Disclaimer. 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 3

Fly in Open Areas Calibrate the Compass Maintain Line of Sight Fly Below 

400 feet (120 m)

Avoid flying over or near obstacles, crowds, high voltage power lines, trees or bodies of water.

DO NOT fly near strong electromagnetic sources such as power lines and base stations as it may affect the onboard 

compass.

≥10m/s

DO NOT use the aircraft in adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog and 

wind speeds exceeding 10 m/s or 22 mph.

Stay away from the rotating 

propellers and motors.

No Fly 

Zone

Learn more at:

http://flysafe.dji.com/no-fly
4 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

NOTICE

All instructions and other collateral documents are subject to change at the sole discretion of SZ DJI 

TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. For up-to-date product information, visit http://www.dji.com and click on the 

Phantom 3 product page.

Glossary

The following terms are used throughout the product literature to indicate various levels of potential harm 

when operating this product:

 NOTICE: Procedures, which if not properly followed, create a possibility of physical property 

damage AND a little or no possibility of injury.

 CAUTION: Procedures, which if not properly followed, create the probability of physical property 

damage AND a possibility of serious injury.

 WARNING: Procedures, which if not properly followed, create the probability of property damage, 

collateral damage, and serious injury OR create a high probability of superficial injury.

Read the ENTIRE user manual to become familiar with the features of 

this product before operating. Failure to operate the product correctly 

can result in damage to the product or personal property and cause serious injury.

This is a sophisticated product. It must be operated with caution and common sense and 

requires some basic mechanical ability. Failure to operate this product in a safe and responsible 

manner could result in injury or damage to the product or other property. This product is not 

intended for use by children without direct adult supervision. Do not use with incompatible 

components or alter this product in any way outside of the documents provided by SZ DJI 

TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. These Safety Guidelines contain instructions for safety, operation and 

maintenance. It is essential to read and follow all of the instructions and warnings in the user 

manual, prior to assembly, setup or use, in order to operate the product correctly and avoid 

damage or serious injury.

Age Recommendation: Not for children under the age of 18. This is not a toy.

Pre-flight Checklist

1) Ensure that you are using only genuine parts and that all parts are in mint condition.

2) Ensure the remote controller, Intelligent Flight Battery, and mobile device are fully charged. 

3) Ensure that there is no foreign object stuck to the camera lens, the micro-SD card has been inserted into 

the camera, and the gimbal can rotate freely before powering it on.

4) Ensure the propellers are securely mounted onto the motors, and the motors can start and function normally.

5) Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate the compass. 

6) Ensure the app and aircraft's firmware have been upgraded to the latest version. 

7) Ensure that your flight area is outside the No-Fly Zones and flight conditions are suitable for flying the 

aircraft. 

8) Be sure that you are NOT flying under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that may impair 

your cognitive abilities.

9) Be familiar with the selected flight mode and understand all safety functions and warnings. 

10) Be sure to observe all local regulations, obtain appropriate authorizations, and understand the risks. 

REMEMBER: It is solely your responsibility to comply with all flight regulations.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 5

Disclaimer and Warning

This product is NOT a toy and is not suitable for children under the age of 18. Adults should keep the 

Phantom 3 out of the reach of children and exercise caution when operating this aircraft in the presence of 

children.

This product is a flying camera that offers easy flight when in good working order as set forth below. Visit 

http://www.dji.com for the most current instructions and warnings and http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/ for more 

information about flight safety and compliance.

The information in this document affects your safety and your legal rights and responsibilities. Read 

this entire document carefully to ensure proper configuration before use. Failure to read and follow the 

instructions and warnings in this document may result in product loss, serious injury to you, or damage to 

your aircraft.

By using this product, you hereby signify that you have read this disclaimer carefully and that you 

understand and agree to abide by the terms and conditions herein. You agree that you are solely 

responsible for your own conduct while using this product, and for any consequences thereof. You agree 

to use this product only for purposes that are proper and in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, and 

regulations, including international and domestic airspace regulations, and all terms, precautions, practices, 

policies and guidelines DJI has made and may make available. 

DJI accepts no liability for damage, injury or any legal responsibility incurred directly or indirectly from the 

use of this product. The user shall observe safe and lawful practices including, but not limited to, those set 

forth in these Safety Guidelines.

Data Storage and Usage

When you use our mobile app or our products or other software, data regarding the use and operation of 

the product, such as flight telemetry data (e.g., speed, altitude, battery life, and information about the gimbal 

and camera) and operations records, may be automatically or manually uploaded to and maintained on a 

DJI-designated server. The internal storage device incorporated into the product stores various types of 

data, including flight telemetry data. You may also provide flight telemetry data and other data to us when 

you manually transmit that information from the internal storage device to us. 

The information that is automatically uploaded or manually uploaded to us does not include personal data 

(i.e., your name, address, email, or other information that specifically identifies you), but personal data, such 

as your user name, may become associated with, used to identify, or tagged to such uploaded information 

when we store it. We separately describe how we use your user name and other personal data on our 

privacy policy at http://www.dji.com/policy. By using the product, the mobile app or other software we 

distribute, or by manually providing data to us, you consent to the following: 

• Our storage of any flight telemetry data and other data uploaded or provided to us, including in 

combination with your user name; 

• Our use of any such data uploaded or provided (including your user name) in connection providing 

support and services to you and to improve our products; 

• Our disclosure of such data uploaded or provided (including your user name) to our agents and/or 

contractors who may use it on our behalf or in connection with their relationship with us; and 

• Our disclosure of such uploaded or provided data (including your user name) as required by law, in a 

matter of public safety or policy, as needed in connection with the transfer of our business assets, or if we 

believe in good faith that sharing the data is necessary to protect our rights or property. 
6 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

FCC Compliance and Advisory

This device complies with part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) 

this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, 

including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void 

the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

IMPORTANT NOTE: FCC Radiation Exposure Statement 

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This 

equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 cm between the radiator and 

your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or operate in conjunction with any other antenna or 

transmitter. 

FCC Class B Information 

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant 

to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful 

interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency 

energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference 

to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular 

location. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be 

determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by 

one or more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna;

Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver;

Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected;

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help;

DJI hereby declares that this product is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant 

provisions of Directive 1995/5/EC.

DJI reserves the right to update this disclaimer and the Safety Guidelines. Please visit www.dji.com and check your email 

periodically for the latest version. This disclaimer is made in various language versions; in the event of divergence among 

different versions, the English version shall prevail. 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 7

Before You Begin 

The following documents have been produced to help you safely operate and make full use of your 

Phantom 3:

In the Box

Phantom 3 Professional / Advanced Safety Guidelines and Disclaimer

Phantom 3 Professional / Advanced Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines

Phantom 3 Professional / Advanced Quick Start Guide

Phantom 3 Professional / Advanced User Manual 

Check all of the included parts listed in the Phantom 3 In the Box document and read the Phantom 3 Safety 

Guidelines before flight. Then prepare for your first flight by using the Phantom 3 Quick Start Guide and 

watching all of the tutorial videos on DJI’s official website (http://www.dji.com). If you have questions, refer 

to the Phantom 3 User Manual in the app or on DJI’s official website for more comprehensive information. 

Make sure you fully understand the functionality of each individual part, the flight condition requirements, the 

key contingency warning functions/systems, and all government regulations before each flight. If you have 

any questions or problems during the assembly, maintenance or use of this product, please contact DJI or 

a DJI authorized dealer. 

Individual Parts

Regarding Genuine and Functional Parts

To avoid component malfunction, serious injury, and property damage, observe the following rules:

1) Use only genuine DJI parts or parts certified by DJI. Unauthorized parts or parts from non-DJI 

certified manufacturers may cause system malfunctions and compromise safety.

2) Ensure there are no foreign objects (such as water, oil, soil, sand, etc.) inside of the aircraft or its 

components. 

3) Ensure the aircraft and its components – including but not limited to the remote controller, camera, 

gimbal, compass, propulsion system, and battery – are all in good working order, damage-free, 

and functioning well. Refer to the remaining sections in this document for more details on how to 

ensure the functionality of these components. 

Remote Controller

1) Ensure the remote controller is fully charged before each flight.

2) If the remote controller is powered on and has NOT been used for 5 minutes, it will sound an alert. After 10 

minutes it will automatically power off. Move the sticks or perform some other action to cancel the alert.

3) Adjust the clamp of the mobile device holder to allow a firm grip on your mobile device.

4) Ensure the mobile device holder is firmly in place and does not slip.

5) Ensure the antennas of the remote controller are unfolded and adjusted to the proper position to achieve 

optimal transmission quality.

6) Repair or replace the remote controller if damaged. A damaged remote controller antenna will greatly 
8 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

decrease performance.

7) Linking is required if you wish to replace your remote controller or receiver or add a new remote controller. 

Refer to the User Manual for details.

Camera

To avoid possible serious injury and property damage, observe the following rule:

1) Do NOT block any ventilation holes on the camera as the heat generated may hurt you and damage the 

device. 

1) Check camera settings before use to make sure you can adjust them to fit your needs.

2) Test the camera by shooting a few test images and check that it is operating correctly before shooting 

important pictures or videos. 

3) Do NOT remove the micro-SD card from the camera when it is powered on.

4) Photos or videos cannot be transmitted or copied from the camera if the Intelligent Flight Battery is 

powered off.

5) Be sure to power off the Intelligent Flight Battery correctly, otherwise your camera parameters will NOT 

be saved and any recorded videos may be damaged. NOTE: Regardless of the reason, DJI will not be 

responsible for any failure of an image or video to be recorded or having been recorded in a way that is 

not machine readable.

Gimbal

1) Precision elements in the gimbal may be damaged in a collision or impact, which may cause the gimbal 

to function abnormally.

2) Do NOT apply external force to the gimbal after the gimbal is powered on.

3) Do NOT add any payloads to the gimbal, as this may cause the gimbal to function abnormally or even 

lead to motor damage.

4) Remove the gimbal clamp before powering on the gimbal. Re-install the gimbal clamp to secure the 

gimbal’s position if you are going to store the aircraft for an extended period.

Compass

To avoid possible serious injury and property damage, observe the following rule:

1) Land immediately when severe drifting occurs in flight, i.e., the aircraft does NOT fly in straight lines.

1) Ensure the compass is calibrated before every flight. Failure to calibrate may lead to poor flight 

performance or a crash.

2) Do NOT attempt to calibrate your compass where there is a chance of strong magnetic interference. 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 9

This includes areas where there are massive metal objects, parking structures, steel reinforcements 

underground, or under bridges.

3) Do NOT carry ferromagnetic materials with you during calibration, such as keys or mobile phones.

4) The compass should always be calibrated when moving from indoor spaces to outdoor spaces.

5) If the rear LEDs show a solid red light, compass calibration has failed. Please recalibrate.

6) After successful calibration, the compass may become abnormal when you place the aircraft on the 

ground. This may be because of underground magnetic interference. Move the aircraft to another location 

and try again.

7) When to recalibrate

a) When compass data is abnormal, and the Aircraft Status Indicator is blinking red and yellow.

b) When flying in a new location, or a location that is different from your last flight.

c) When the mechanical structure of the aircraft has changed, i.e. new mounting position of the compass.

d) When severe drifting occurs in flight, i.e. the aircraft does NOT fly in straight lines.

Propulsion Systems

To avoid serious injury to yourself or others, which may be caused by the rotating propellers and 

motors, observe the following rules:

Propellers

1) Do NOT use aged, chipped, or broken propellers.

2) Always power off the aircraft before touching the propellers.

3) Be aware of the sharp edges of the propellers when mounting or removing the propellers. Wear 

gloves or take other protective measures when touching the propellers. 

4) Whenever necessary, use tools (e.g., wrench, screwdriver, pliers, etc.) to remove or install the 

propellers.

5) Ensure the propellers are securely mounted to prevent them from falling off the motors.

6) Do NOT turn on the motors when propellers are mounted and there are other people or animals in 

the immediate vicinity.

Motors

1) Ensure the motors are securely mounted and rotating smoothly.

2) Do NOT attempt to modify the structure of the motors.

3) Do NOT touch or let your hands or body come in contact with the motors after flight as they may 

be hot.

To avoid possible serious injury and property damage, observe the following rules:

1) Do NOT block any of the ventilation holes on the motors.

2) Do NOT block any of the ventilation holes on the frame arm of the aircraft.

Motors

1) Keep the motors free of dust.

2) If a motor is stuck and unable to rotate freely, execute the CSC (Combination Stick Command) to stop the 

motors immediately. 
10 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Electronic Speed Controllers

1) Ensure the ESCs sound a normal tune when powered on.

App

1) Be sure to fully charge your tablet or mobile device before launching the app. A tablet is recommended 

for a better user experience. 

2) If you are using a phone as your mobile display device, be sure to continue flying safely when the phone 

receives an incoming call. Do NOT accept phone calls during flight.

3) Read all prompted safety tips, warning messages, and disclaimers carefully. Be familiar with the related 

regulations in your area. You are solely responsible for being aware of all relevant regulations and flying in 

a way that is compliant.

a) Read and understand the warning messages before using the Auto-take off and Auto-landing features.

b) Read and understand the warning message and disclaimer before setting the altitude beyond the 

default limit.

c) Read and understand the warning messages and disclaimer before switching between flight modes.

4) Land your aircraft immediately if there is an alert shown on the app.

5) Examine and check all warning messages on the checklist displayed in the app prior to each flight. 

6) Use the in-app simulator to practice your flight skills if you have never operated the aircraft or if you do not 

have sufficient experience to be comfortable operating the aircraft.

7) Beginner Mode is enabled by default when you launch the app for the first time. The aircraft’s altitude and 

flight distance is restricted when flying in Beginner Mode. We recommend you fly in Beginner Mode to 

perfect your flight skills. Operate the actual aircraft only after you are confident that you have mastered 

adequate flight skills. 

8) Cache the map data of the area where you intend to fly the aircraft by connecting to the Internet before 

each flight.

Firmware

To avoid serious injury to children and animals, observe the following rule:

1) Keep children and animals at a safe distance during any firmware upgrade, system calibration, and 

parameter setting procedures.

1) For safety, always update the firmware to the latest version when an upgrade notification is shown in the 

app.

2) Firmware upgrade notifications will prompt you to proceed with an update immediately or to update 

the firmware within three days. If you choose to ignore the current firmware update, you are required 

to accept the prompted disclaimer. You further understand and agree that the data including but not 

limited to flight telemetry data and user selection records may be uploaded to and maintained on a DJIdesignated server.

3) Be sure to download the firmware package file from the official DJI website. Verify the firmware package 

file’s integrity before upgrading.

4) Be sure to update the remote controller’s firmware to the latest version after you update the aircraft’s 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 11

firmware.

5) The remote controller may become unlinked from the aircraft after updating. Re-link the remote controller 

and aircraft.

6) Be sure to check all connections and remove the propellers from the motors before performing the 

firmware update.

7) Ensure there is only one firmware package file stored on your SD card.

8) Only storage devices that are formatted for FAT32 and exFAT file systems are supported for aircraft and 

remote controller firmware updates.

9) Delete any automatically generated .txt files on the SD card when updating multiple remote controllers.
12 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Product Care

Storage and Transportation

To avoid serious injury to children and animals, observe the following rule:

1) Small parts, such as cables and straps, are dangerous if swallowed. Keep all parts out of reach of 

children and animals.

1) Store the Intelligent Flight Battery and remote controller in a cool, dry place away from direct 

sunlight to ensure the built-in LiPo battery does NOT overheat. Recommended storage temperature: 

between 71° and 82° F (22° and 28° C) for storage periods of more than three months. Never store in 

environments outside the temperature range of -20° C to 45° C (-68° to 113° F).

2) Do NOT allow the camera to come into contact with, or become immersed in, water or other liquids. If it 

gets wet, wipe dry with a soft, absorbent cloth. Turning on an aircraft that has fallen into water may cause 

permanent component damage. Do NOT use substances containing alcohol, benzene, thinners or other 

flammable substances to clean or maintain the camera. Do NOT store the camera in humid or dusty 

areas.

3) Do NOT connect this product to any USB interface that is older than version 2.0. Do NOT connect this 

product to any "power USB" or similar devices.

Maintenance and Upkeep

1) Check every part of the aircraft after any crash or violent impact. If you have any problems or questions, 

please contact a DJI authorized dealer.

2) Regularly check the Battery Level Indicators to see the current battery level and overall battery life. When 

the battery life reaches 0%, it can no longer be used.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 13

Flight Condition Requirements

Weather Conditions and Surrounding Environment

The aircraft is designed to operate in good to moderate weather conditions. To avoid collision, serious 

injury and property damage, observe the following rules:

1) Do NOT use the aircraft in severe weather conditions. These include wind speeds exceeding 10 m/s, 

snow, rain, smog, heavy wind, hail, lightning, tornadoes or hurricanes. 

2) Keep the aircraft at least 30 feet (10 meters) away from obstacles, people, animals, buildings, public 

infrastructure, trees, and bodies of water when in flight. Stay even further away from the above 

objects as your altitude increases.

3) Be EXTRA cautious when operating the aircraft indoors.

1) Aircraft and battery performance is subject to environmental factors such as air density and temperature.

a) Be very careful when flying 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) or more above sea level as battery and aircraft 

performance may be reduced.

b) It is not recommend to operate the aircraft store in environments outside the temperature range of 

-20° C to 45° C (-68° to 113° F).

2) Do NOT use the aircraft near accidents, fire, explosions, floods, tsunamis, avalanches, landslides, 

earthquakes, dust, or sandstorms.

Interference with Flight Controller, Communications, and Positioning Systems

1) Fly in open areas. Tall buildings or steel structures may affect the accuracy of the on-board compass and 

block the GPS signal. 

2) Avoid interference between the remote controller and other wireless equipment. Make sure to turn off the 

Wi-Fi on your mobile device.

3) Do NOT fly near areas with magnetic or radio interference. These include but are NOT limited to: high 

voltage lines, large scale power transmission stations or mobile base stations and broadcasting towers. 

Failing to do so may compromise the transmission quality of this product or cause remote controller and 

video transmission errors which may affect flight orientation and location accuracy. The aircraft may 

behave abnormally or go out of control in areas with too much interference.

Operating the Aircraft Responsibly

To avoid serious injury and property damage, observe the following rules:

1) Make sure you are NOT drunk, taking drugs, under the influence of anesthesia, or suffering from 

dizziness, fatigue, nausea or any other conditions, whether physical or mental, that could impair 

your ability to operate the aircraft safely.
14 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

2) Do NOT perform the Combination Stick Commands when aircraft is in midair, otherwise the motors 

will stop.

3) Upon landing, power off the aircraft first, then switch off the remote controller.

4) Do NOT drop, launch, fire or otherwise project any dangerous payloads on or at any buildings, 

persons or animals, or which could cause personal injury or property damage.

1) Make sure you have been sufficiently trained and are fully aware of any contingency plans before 

accidents happen.

2) Make sure you have a flight plan and never fly the aircraft recklessly.

3) Respect the privacy of others when using the camera. Make sure you comply with local privacy laws, 

regulations, and moral standards.

4) Do NOT use this product for any reason other than general personal use. Do NOT use it for any illegal or 

inappropriate purpose (such as spying, military operations, or unauthorized investigations).

5) Do NOT use this product to defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such 

as the right of privacy and publicity) of others.

6) Do NOT trespass into private property of others.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 15

Flight Modes, Functions and Warnings

Flight Modes

To avoid serious injury and property damage, observe the following rule:

1) Do NOT switch from P mode to either A mode or F mode unless you are sufficiently familiar with 

the aircraft’s behavior for each flight mode, since disabling GPS may result in being unable to land 

the aircraft safely.

P mode is preferred for most flying scenarios. Users can switch to A mode where and when P mode is 

unavailable. Be aware that some features are NOT available for A mode, and therefore be EXTRA cautious 

when flying in A mode.

1) P mode (Positioning): P mode works best when the GPS signal is strong. There are three different states 

of P mode, which will be automatically selected by the Phantom 3 depending on GPS signal strength and 

Vision Positioning sensors:

a) P-GPS: GPS and Vision Positioning are both available, and the aircraft is using GPS for positioning.

b) P-OPTI: If GPS is NOT available, the aircraft will use the Vision Positioning System to hover accurately. 

Note that the Vision Positioning System may NOT work properly when the Phantom 3 is flying over 

water, over surfaces without a clear pattern, or in a low light environment.

c) P-ATTI: When neither GPS nor Vision Positioning is available, the aircraft is using only its barometer for 

positioning, so only altitude is controlled.

2) A mode (Attitude): The GPS and Vision Positioning System are NOT used for positioning. The aircraft only 

uses its barometer to maintain altitude. If it is still receiving a GPS signal, the aircraft can automatically 

return home if the Remote Controller signal is lost and if the Home Point has been recorded successfully.

3) F mode (Function): Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) is activated in this mode. Ensure you are familiar 

with IOC functions before use.

If you intend to switch to modes that disable GPS assistance (e.g., A mode), you are required to accept the 

prompted disclaimer to enable this function. If this function is enabled, you further understand and agree 

that data including but not limited to flight telemetry data and function records could be uploaded to and 

maintained on a DJI designated server.

Failsafe and Return to Home

1) The Return to Home feature will NOT work if the GPS signal is insufficient or if GPS is not active.

2) Press the RTH (Return to Home) Button on the remote controller to bring the aircraft back to the Home 

Point instead of turning off the remote controller. 

3) Tall buildings may adversely affect the Failsafe function. Please adjust the aircraft location, altitude and 

speed while returning home to avoid obstacles.

4) Make sure to always fly the aircraft within the transmission range of the remote controller.

5) Only use the Failsafe and Return to Home functions in case of emergency, as they may be affected by the 

weather, the environment, or any nearby magnetic fields.
16 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

6) The aircraft cannot avoid obstacles during the Failsafe RTH; therefore it is important to set an appropriate 

Failsafe altitude before each flight.

7) When flying indoors, the aircraft cannot perform precision hovering when flying above the surfaces that do 

not have a clear pattern. Refer to the “Vision Positioning System” section for complete indoor flying criteria. 

Low Battery

1) When the Critical Battery Level Warning activates and the aircraft is descending automatically, you may 

push the throttle up to maintain the aircraft's altitude and navigate it to a more appropriate location for 

landing.

2) When battery warnings are triggered, promptly bring the aircraft back to the Home Point or land to avoid 

losing power during flight and causing damage to the aircraft, property, animals, and people.

Vision Positioning System

1) The Vision Positioning System cannot work properly over surfaces that do NOT have pattern variations. 

The effective altitude for the Vision Positioning System to function correctly is less than 8.2 feet (2.5 

meters) above ground level (AGL).

2) The Vision Positioning System may NOT function properly when the aircraft is flying over water.

3) Keep your pets away from the aircraft when the Vision Positioning System is activated, as the sonar 

sensors emit a high frequency sound that is only audible to some pets. 

4) Note that the Vision Positioning System may NOT function properly when the aircraft is flying too fast or too 

low.

5) Operate the aircraft cautiously when in any of the following situations:

a) Flying over monochrome surfaces (e.g., pure black, pure white, pure red, pure green).

b) Flying over highly reflective surfaces;

c) Flying at high speeds (over 8m/s at 2 meters or over 4m/s at 1 meter);

d) Flying over water or transparent surfaces;

e) Flying over moving surfaces or objects;

 f) Flying in an area where the lighting changes frequently or drastically;

g) Flying over extremely dark (lux < 10) or bright (lux > 10,000) surfaces;

h) Flying over surfaces that can absorb sound waves (e.g., thick carpet).

 i ) Flying over surfaces without clear patterns or texture;

 j ) Flying over surfaces with identical repeating patterns or textures (e.g. tiles with same design);

k) Flying over inclined surfaces that will deflect sound waves away from the aircraft

6) In the event of loss of the remote controller’s signal, the aircraft will hover for 8 seconds and then auto-land 

if it is in “P” mode.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 17

Compliance with Regulations & No-Fly Zones

Regulations 

To avoid non-compliant behavior, serious injury and property damage, observe the following rules:

1) Do NOT operate in the vicinity of manned aircraft, regardless of altitude. (Land immediately if 

necessary)

2) Do NOT fly the aircraft in densely populated areas, including cities, sporting events, exhibitions, 

performances, etc.

3) Do NOT fly the aircraft above the authorized altitude. Remain well clear of and do NOT interfere 

with manned aircraft operations. Be aware of and avoid other aircraft and obstacles at all times.

To avoid non-compliant behavior, serious injury and property damage, observe the following rules:

1) Do NOT fly the aircraft near or inside no-fly zones specified by local laws and regulations. The no-fly zone 

list includes: airports, borders between two sovereign countries or regions, major cities/regions, etc., and 

is continuously updated. 

2) Do NOT fly the aircraft above the authorized altitude

3) ALWAYS keep your aircraft within visual line of sight (VLOS), and use an observer to assist if needed.

4) NEVER use the aircraft to carry illegal or dangerous goods/payloads.

1) Make sure you understand the nature/type of your flight operation (such as for recreation, for public use, or for 

commercial use) and have obtained corresponding approval and clearance from the related government 

agencies before flight. Consult with your local regulators for comprehensive definitions and specific 

requirements. For users operating their aircraft in the United States, please first visit http://www.

knowbeforeyoufly.org/ and take action appropriate to your circumstances.

2) Please note that remote controlled aircraft may be banned from conducting commercial activities in 

certain countries and regions. Check and follow all local laws and ordinances before flying as those rules 

may differ from those stated here.

3) Do NOT fly around sensitive infrastructure or property such as power stations, water treatment facilities, 

correctional facilities, heavily traveled roadways, government facilities, military zones, etc.

4) Respect the privacy of others when using the camera. Do NOT conduct surveillance operations such 

as image capture or video recording on any person, entity, event, performance, exhibition, and property 

without authorization or where there is an expectation of privacy, even if the image or video is captured for 

personal use.

5) Please be advised that in certain areas, the recording of images and videos from events, performances, 

exhibitions, or commercial properties by means of a camera may contravene copyright or other legal 

rights, even if the image or video was shot for personal use. 
18 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

No-Fly Zones

DJI always stresses safety during flight, and has therefore developed various aids to help users comply with 

local rules and regulations while flying. We strongly recommend that you update the firmware to the latest 

version to ensure the following features are fully updated:

No-Fly Zones

1) No-Fly Zones include but are not limited to major airports around world, borders between two sovereign 

countries or regions, major cities/regions, etc.

2) The complete list of No-Fly Zones is listed on the official DJI website at http://flysafe.dji.com/no-fly and is 

subject to periodic updates in line with the latest regulatory requirements without prior notice.

3) Some No-Fly Zones are comprised of several zones. Each zone features circles of various sizes. The 

aircraft will NOT be able to take off in the inner most zone of the No-Fly Zone, and will descend to the 

specified altitude when it approaches the edge of the inner most zone. Ground station functionality is 

disabled when the aircraft is within a No-Fly Zone. 

4) Users are NOT able to set up waypoints within No-Fly Zones.

Altitude Limit

1) Fly NO higher than 400 feet (120 meters) above ground level and stay away from any surrounding 

obstacles.

If you intend to fly above the default altitude limit, you are required to accept the prompted disclaimer to 

enable the new altitude limit. If a new altitude limit is set, you further understand and agree that data including 

but not limited to flight telemetry data and altitude limit changes could be uploaded to and maintained on a 

DJI-designated server.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.

This content is subject to change.

Download the latest version from

www.dji.com/support

If you have any questions about this document, please contact DJI by 

sending a message to DocSupport@dji.com.