July 31, 2015

Exemption No. 12266

Regulatory Docket No. FAA–2015–2116

Mr. Ryan Koverman

President

Windy City Drones, LLC

450 Village Creek Drive

Lake in the Hills, IL 60156

Dear Mr. Koverman:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends.

By letter dated May 28, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Windy City Drones, LLC (hereinafter petitioner or operator) for an exemption. The 

petitioner requested to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to conduct aerial 

photography, tower inspection, real estate marketing, surveying, agricultural mapping, and 

other flight operations.

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA describing the proposed operations and 

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner.

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner is a DJI Phantom 3 Professional.
2

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products 

and parts, Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates. In accordance with the statutory criteria 

provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in 

consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the 

aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft 

meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA finds that the requested relief from 

14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H—Airworthiness 

Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is 

not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection1. The FAA has issued grants of 

exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. 

In Grants of Exemption Nos. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 

11109 to Clayco, Inc. (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (see

Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Labs, Inc. (see Docket No. 

FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned 

aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or 

crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in 

addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled 

by this exemption is in the public interest.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

• They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of 

Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213;

• The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 

11213 also apply to the situation you present; and 

• A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, 

delegated to me by the Administrator, Windy City Drones, LLC is granted an exemption from 

14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 

91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b), to 

 

1 Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA. 

Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF 

analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by 

instruments aboard the UA.
3

the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data collection. 

This exemption is subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Windy City Drones, LLC is hereafter referred to as the operator.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the DJI Phantom 3 

Professional when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed 

operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this 

exemption.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming are 

not permitted. 

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The 

exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine 

compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at 

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the 

aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level 

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. 

This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than 

corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman medical certificate or 

U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within 

the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used 

to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS 

capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times; 

electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC 

must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the 

duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties 

required of the VO.

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its 

operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of 

exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating 
4

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and 

limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, 

the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. 

Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating 

documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the 

operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised 

documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The 

operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension 

or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update 

or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then 

the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s 

UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding 

updates or revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation 

or flight characteristics, e.g., replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo 

a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. 

Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at 

least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such 

a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is 

in a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine the 

UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for all 

potential discrepancies, e.g., inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the 

inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is 

prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the 

UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and 

aircraft components.

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer 

safety bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, 

commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a 

current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a 

state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal 
5

government. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 

14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the 

ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be 

operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and 

maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC 

qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs 

(training, proficiency, and experience-building) and determining the PIC’s ability to 

safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated 

under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, 

training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During 

training, proficiency, and experience-building flights, all persons not essential for 

flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA 

with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All 

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights 

under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as 

denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not 

denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current 

FAA-published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s 

management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption 

holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available 

to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet 

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a 

pre-determined location within the private or controlled-access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast 

weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the 

intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve 

power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All 

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO-issued COA. The 
6

exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct 

operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial 

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification 

(N−Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must 

be as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and 

any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the 

PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. 

These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement 

official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and 

activities at all times. 

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating 

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons 

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure 

that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises 

where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of 

the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety 

of nonparticipating persons; and

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission 

for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of 

the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not 

present an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered 

nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. 

Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be 

obtained for each flight to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical 

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported 

to the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be 
7

reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions 

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov.

If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and 

television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply.

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) 

as documented in this grant of exemption.

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this 

exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards 

District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The 3-day 

notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities 

must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted 

under this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on-scene operation of 

the UAS;

d. Make, model, and serial or N−Number of UAS to be used;

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming;

f. A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property owners 

and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event; the list of those 

who gave permission must be made available to the inspector upon request;

g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and

h. A description of the flight activity, including maps or diagrams of any area, city, 

town, county, and/or state over which filming will be conducted and the altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons 

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the 

exemption holder’s MPTOM.

Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS 

operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, 

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.
8

This exemption terminates on August 31, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures
May 28rd, 2015 

Ryan Koverman 

Windy City Drones 

450 Village Creek Dr. 

Lake in the Hills, IL 60156 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Operations 

West Building Ground Floor 

Room W12-140 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC 20590-0001 

·-;' .··---·,, 

RE: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act of2012 and Part 11 of the Federal 

Aviation Regulations 

Dear Sir or Madam; 

In accordance with the Public Guidance for Petitions for Exemption filed under Section 333, 

Windy City Drones, LLC requests exemption from the Federal Aviation Regulations to allow for ·j··· 

commercial UAS operations of a DJI Phantom 3 Professional, for the purpose of aerial photography, 

tower inspection, real estate marketing, surveying, agricultural mapping and other flight operations that 

could be performed safely and more cost effectively than a traditional manned aircraft. 

Applicant: 

Windy City Drones 

Ryan Koverman (President) 

450 Village Creek Dr. 

Lake in the Hills, IL 60156 

(630) 246-7443 

Attachments: 

1. DJI Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

2. DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide 

3. DJI Phantom 3 Professional Release Notes 

4. DJI Phantom 3 Safety Guidelines Disclaimer 

5. DJI Phantom Pilot Training Guide 

6. Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines 

Regulations from which the exemption is requested: 

14 CFR 21, Subpart H 

14 CFR 45.23 (b) 

14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b) & 14 CFR 61.133 (a) 

14 CFR 91.7 (a) 

14 CFR 91.9 (b)(2) 

14 CFR 91.103 (b)(2) 

14 CFR 91.109 
14 CFR 91.119 (c) 

14 CFR 91.121 

14 CFR 91.151 (a) 

14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b) 

14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

14 CFR 91.407 (a)(l) 

14 CFR 91.409 (a)(l) & (a)(2) 

14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b) 

14 CFR 21, Subpart H- In consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area 

associated with this U AS and its operation, Windy City Drones requests relief from 14 CFR part 21, 

Subpart H, and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36. The UAS will 

carry neither pilot, passenger, explosive materials or flammable liquids. 

14 CFR 45.23 (b)- Even though the UAS will have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption may be 

needed as the UAS will have no entrance to the cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which the word 

"Experimental" can be placed. Given the size of the UAS, two-inch lettering will be impossible. The 

word "Experimental" will be placed on the fuselage in compliance with §45.29 (f). The equivalent 

level of safety will be provided by having the UAS marked on its fuselage as required by §45.29 (f) 

where the pilot, observer and others working with the UAS will see the identification of the UAS as 

"Experimental." 

14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b) & 14 CFR 61.133 (a)- Since the UAS will not carry a pilot or passengers 

Windy City Drones requests a relief from these regulations. Any pilot in command or (PIC) operating 

the UAS will hold a Sport Pilot (or greater) certificate. A visual observer or (VO) will be utilized and 

required to communicate verbally at all times. The UAS will be limited to operations within visual 

distance of both the PIC and VO. All UAS operations will take place in a controlled area. The risks 

associated with the use of a UAS are far less than similar commercial aircraft operations. 

14 CFR 91.7 (a)- Since the UAS will not carry a pilot or passengers there will be no airworthiness 

certificate issued for the aircraft, should this exemption be granted, no FAA regulatory standard exists 

for determining airworthiness. Given the size of the aircraft, maintenance, and use of safety checklist 

prior to each flight, an equivalent level of safety will be provided. All flights will be in accordance 

with the safety and maintenance recommendations found in the DJI Phantom attachments. 

14 CFR 91.9 (b)(2)- Given the size and configuration, the UAS has no ability to carry a flight manual 

on the aircraft. There is no room, capacity, or pilot on board to adequately carry a flight manual. An 

equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping the flight manual at the ground station where 

the UAS pilot will have immediate access to it. 

14 CFR 91.103 (b)(2) -As no FAA approved flight manuals will be provided for the aircraft an 

exemption is needed. Alternate procedures including but not limited to reviewing weather conditions, 

checking flight battery requirements, checking takeoff and landing distances along with those found in 

the attached "DJI Pilot Training" will be implemented. These actions will provide an equivalent or 

higher level of safety. 

14 CFR 91.109- UAS and remotely piloted aircraft do not have fully functional dual controls. Flight 

control is achieved through the use of a control box that communicates with the aircraft via radio 

communications. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved using the real time ground station data 
and given the UAS will carry neither a pilot or passengers. 

14 CFR 91.119 (c)- The UAS will never be operated at an altitude higher than 400 feetAGL. The 

UAS will operate in safe areas away from public and traffic and only with permission of the property 

and structure owners. The UAS will also be restricted by the flight controller to a maximum vertical 

height of 400 feet AGL, and 1500 feet horizontal. Given the size, weight, maneuverability and speed 

of the UAS, an equivalent or higher level of safety will be achieved. 

14 CFR 91.121- As the UAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS barometric 

sensor for altitude information an exemption may be required. An equivalent level of safety will be 

achieved using a ground station which links to a telemetry data link. This will provide the pilot with 

live flight data monitoring, confirming the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude 

indicator prior to flight. 

14 CFR 91.151 (a)- The UAS has a limited range and will be limited to operations in a controlled 

environment. The battery power the U AS provides approximately 23 minutes of flight time. The U AS 

is unable to meet the 30 minute reserve requirement and therefore requires an exemption. An 

equivalent level of safety will be achieved by monitoring the battery through the ground station and 

landing with a minimum of 30 percent battery power remaining. 

14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b)- Given the size and configuration, the UAS has no ability to carry a flight 

manual on the aircraft. There is no room, capacity, or pilot on board to adequately carry a flight 

manual. An equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping the flight manual at the ground 

station where the UAS pilot will have immediate access to it. 

Given the following sections only apply to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, these sections do 

not apply to this applicant. As a safety precaution, the operator will perform preflight inspections and 

ensure UAS is in working condition before initiating each flight: 

14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

14 CFR 91.407 (a)(1) 

14 CFR 91.409 (a)(l) & (a)(2) 

14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b) 

Equivalent Level of Safety 

In addition to the safety standards mentioned above the UAS will adhere to the following additional 

guidelines: 

1. The U AS will not be operated within 5 miles of an airport unless prior contact to Air Traffic 

Control has been established. 

2. Flights will not exceed the an airspeed of 36 mph (31.3 knots) 

3. Flights will be operated at or below an altitude never exceeding 400 feet AGL. 

4. The PIC and VO will communicate verbally at all times. 

5. UAS operations will not be conducted during night. 

6. All operations will be conducted under visual meteorological conditions. 

7. The UAS will land with a minimum 30 percent battery reserve remaining. 

8. The UAS will only be piloted within visual line of sight. 

9. The UAS will utilize an internal flight safety feature that will return to a preprogrammed 

position and land if communication with the remote control is lost. 
10. Preflight inspections and protocol will be followed prior to all operations. 

11. The UAS will abort flight in the event of unpredictable obstacles or emergencies. 

Public Interest 

We believe the use of a UAS in lieu of a manned aircraft would enhance safety and reduce the 

environmental impact compared to similar operations conducted with a manned aircraft carrying a crew 

and flammable fuel. 

The inspections of cellular communication towers or similar structures will eliminate the risks 

associated with persons attempting to climb these structures. The photographs and video collected will 

provide engineers with valuable information as to the safety of these structures. 

The use of a U AS in the real estate industry provides both the buyer and seller with a higher 

level of marketing and service. The UAS is able to provide a view which encompasses the entire 

property in a single photo or short video clip. When compared to similar operations, utilizing a UAS 

poses much less of a safety concern for the general public with less fuel, time, noise and other 

resources. 

Privacy 

All flights will occur over private or controlled areas with the owner's consent. Capturing people in 

images will rarely occur. If a person is captured in a collected image they will have consented prior to 

filming or otherwise have agreed to being in the area prior to the filming taking place. 

Ryan A overman 

President 
··< 

PHANTOM 3 

( PROFESS/Of'JAL ) 

User Manual 

2015.04 

c!J• 
Using this manual 

0 Warning & Important '\): Hints and Tips 1iiiJ Reference 

~~~d4 .. ·~ ~tQr~~;ttiEj}f:J,ij$~,t:lfgbtc': 

Read the following documents before using the Phantom 3 Professional: 

1.1ntheBox 

2. Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

3. Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide 

4. Phantom 3 Professional I Advanced Safety Guidelines and Disclaimer 

5. Phantom 3 Professional I Advanced Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines 

We recommend that you watch all tutorial videos on the official DJI website and read the Disclaimer 

before you fly. Prepare for your first flight by reviewing the Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide and 

refer to the User Manual for more detailed information. 

Please watch the tutorial videos at the link below, which demonstrates how to use Phantom 3 Professional 

safely: 

http://www .dji.com/product/phantom-3/video 

Download and install the DJI Pilot app before using the aircraft. Scan the QR code to the right 

to download the latest version. [!] 

The Android version of the OJI Pilot app is compatible with Android 4.1.2 or later. :a· 

The iOS version of the DJI Pilot app is compatible with iOS 8.0 or later. 
Contents 

Using this manual 

Legends 

Read Before the First Flight 

Video Tutorials 

Download the DJI Pilot app 

Product Profile 

Introduction 

Feature Highlights 

Preparing the Aircraft 

Aircraft Diagram 

Remote Controller Diagram 

Aircraft 

Flight Controller 

Flight Mode 

Flight Status Indicator 

Return-to-Home (RTH) 

SmartRTH 

Low Battery RTH 

FailsafeRTH 

Vision Positioning System 

Flight Recorder 

Attaching and Detaching the Propellers 

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery 

Remote Controller 

Remote Controller Profile 

Using the Remote Controller 

Remote Controller Status LED 

Linking the Remote Controller 

Remote Controller Compliance Version 

2 

2 

2 

2 

6 

6 

7 

8 

8 

11 

11 

11 

12 

12 

13 

14 

14 

16 

16 

17 

23 

23 

27 

28 

29 
Camera and Gimbal 

Camera Profile 31 

Gimbal 32 

DJIPIIotApp 

Camera 35 

Director 38 

Store 38 

Discovery 38 

Flight 

Flight Environment Requirements 40 

Flight Umits and No-Fly Zones 40 

Preflight Checklist 44 

Calibrating the Compass 44 

Auto Takeoff and Auto Landing 45 

Flight Test 46 

Starting/Stopping the Motors 46 

Troubleshooting (FAQ) 

Appendix 

Specifications 53 

Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) 55 

FCC Compliance 56 
Product Profile 

This section introduces the Phantom 3 

Professional and lists the components of 

the aircraft and remote controller. 
Product Profile 

The Phantom 3 Professional represents the next generation of OJI quadcopters. It is capable of capturing 

4K video and transmitting an HD video signal out of the box. The built-in camera has an integrated gimbal 

to maximize stability while minimizing both weight and size. Even when no GPS signal is available, the 

Vision Positioning System allows the aircraft to hover accurately in place. 

~~~!I~~i~!~l}Jlg,ht$• 

Camera and Gimbal: With the Phantom 3 Professional, you're shooting 4K video at up to 30 frames per 

second and capturing 12 megapixel photos that look crisper and cleaner than ever. An enhanced sensor 

gives you greater clarity, lower noise, and better pictures than any previous flying camera. 

HD VIdeo Downlink: The low-latency long range HD downlink is powered by an enhanced version of DJI 

Lightbridge. 

DJI lnteUigent Flight Battery: The 4480 mAh DJI Intelligent Right Battery features upgraded battery cells 

and an advanced power management system. 

Flight Controller: The next-generation flight controller has been updated to provide a safer, more reliable 

flight experience. A newly implemented flight recorder stores critical data from each flight and the Vision 

Positioning System enhances hovering precision when flying indoors or in environments where GPS is 

unavailable. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

~~~:ij~~~~~J'~J}.' ?:,r .···· ' 

Removing Gimbal Clamp 

Remove the gimbal clamp by sliding it to the right (when facing the nose of the aircraft), as shown below. 

Attaching the Propellers: 

Mount the propellers with black dots on to motors with black axes and spin counter-clockwise to secure. 

Mount the propellers with sliver dots on to motors with sliver axes and spin clockwise to secure. Be sure 

all propellers are securely in place. 

& Place all propellers onto the correct motors and tighten by hand to lock them in position. 

Preparing the Remote Controller: 

The mobile device holder is designed for securing tablet or mobile device. Tilt the mobile device holder to 

the desired position, then adjust the antennas so they are facing outward. 

1. Press the button on the top right side of the mobile device holder to release the clamp, then adjust the 

clamp to fit the size of your mobile device. 

2. Secure your mobile device in the clamp by pressing down, and connect your mobile device to the 

remote controller using a USB cable. 

3. Plug one end of the cable into the mobile device, and the other end into the USB port on the back of 

the remote controller. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

~--------------- -·[1] 

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[3] 

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[8] ___ -

[7] -----

[6] ----

------------ [4] 

. . - - -- ------- [5] 

·------------ [10] 

·- --------------- [12] 

--- [3] 

-·-[4] 

--------[5] 

[1] GPS 

[2] Propeller 

[3] Motor 

[4] Front LED Indicator 

[5] Landing gear 

[6] Gimbal and Camera 

[7] Aircraft Micro-USB Port 

[8] Aircraft Status Indicator 

[9] Intelligent Flight Battery 

[10] Vision Positioning Sensors 

[11] Antennas 

[12] Camera Micro-SO Card Slot 

[13] Camera Micro-USB Port 

[14] Link Button 

[1) Antennas 

Relays aircraft control and 

video signal. 

[2) Mobile Device Holder 

Securely mounts your mobile 

device to the remote controller. 

[3] Control Stick 

Controls the orientation and 

movement of the aircraft. 

[4) Return Home (RTH) Button 

Press and hold the button to 

initiate Return to Home (RTH). 
[5] Battery Level LEDs 

Displays the battery level of the remote 

controller. 

[6] Status LED 

Displays the remote controller's system status. 

[7] Power Button 

Used to turn the remote controller on and off. 

[8] RTH LED 

Circular LED around the RTH button displays 

RTHstatus. 

[9] Camera Settings Dial 

Turn the dial to adjust camera settings. 

(Only functions when the remote controller is 

connected to a mobile device running the DJI 

Pilotapp.) 

[1 0] Playback Button 

Playback the captured images or videos. 

(Only functions when the remote controller is 

connected to a mobile device running the DJI 

Pilotapp.) 

[11] Shutter Button 

Press to take a photo. If burst mode is 

selected, the set number of photos will be 

taken with one press. 

[12] Flight Mode Switch 

Switch between P-mode, A-mode, and 

F-mode. 

[13] Video Recording Button 

Press to start recording video. Press again to 

stop recording. 

[17] C1 Button 

Customizable through the DJI Pilot app. 

[18] C2 Button 

Customizable through the DJI Pilot app. 

[19] Power Port 

Connect to the DJI Phantom 3 Charger to 

charge the battery of the remote controller. 

[14] 

[13] 

[12] 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

[15] [16] 

---[9] 

--[10) 

[14] Gimbal Dial 

Use this dial to control the tilt of the gimbal. 

[15] Mircro-USB Port 

Connect to a SD card reader to upgrade the 

firmware. 

[16] USB Port 

Connect to mobile device or to a USB port for 

firmware upgrade. 

[13) -------- - -[171 

0 
Aircraft 

This section introduces the features of 

the Flight Controller, Vision Positioning 

System, and the Intelligent Flight Battery 
Aircraft 

The Phantom 3 Professional's flight controller features several important upgrades, including a new flight 

mode. Safety modes include Failsafe and Return-to-Home. These features ensure the safe return of your 

aircraft if the control signal is lost. The flight controller can also save critical flight data from each flight 

to the on-board storage device. The new flight controller also provides increased stability and a new air 

braking feature. 

Three flight modes are available. The details of each flight mode are found below: 

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

of P-mode, which will be automatically selected by the Phantom 3 Professional depending on signal 

strength of GPS and Vision Positioning sensors : 

P-GPS: GPS and Vision Positioning both are available. The aircraft is using GPS for positioning. 

P-OPTI: Vision Positioning is available but the GPS signal strength is not sufficient. The aircraft is 

using only the Vision Positioning System for positioning. 

P-ATII: Neither GPS nor Vision Positioning is available. The aircraft is using only its barometer for 

positioning, so only altitude can be stabilized. 

A-mode (Attitude): GPS and Vision Positioning System are not used for stabilization. The aircraft only uses 

its barometer. The aircraft can still automatically return to the home point if the control signal is lost and 

the Home Point was recorded successfully. 

F-mode (Function): Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) is activated in this mode. For more information 

about IOC, refer to the IOC section in the Appendix. 

'(): Use the Flight Controller mode switch to change the flight mode of the aircraft, refer to the "Flight 

Mode Switch" on Page 26 for more information. 

The Phantom 3 Professional has Front LEOs and Aircraft Status Indicators. The positions of these LEOs 

are shown in the figure below: 

Aircraft Status Indicator 

Front LED 

The Front LEOs show the orientation of the aircraft. The Front LEOs glow solid red when the aircraft is 

turned on to indicate the front (or nose) of the aircraft. The Aircraft Status Indicators communicate the 

system status of the flight controller. Refer to the table below for more information about the Aircraft Status 

Indicators: 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

•J~ormal 

· R · 'G· .y ······ Red, Green and Yellow Flash 

Alternatively Turning On and Self Diagnostic Testing 

\i:4• ('('; ···••· Green and Yellow Rash Alternatively Warming Up 

G ······Green Rashes Slowly 

·drX2 ······Green Rashes Twice 

x · .. · .. Yellow Rashes Slowly 

Warning 

•Y: ...... Fast Yellow Rashing 

'·~' ······Slow Red Flashing 

· Fl · · · · · · Fast Red Rashing 

.\R· · · • · · • Red Flashing Alternatively 

R• -Solid Red 

Safe to Ry (P-mode with GPS and Vision 

Positioning) 

Safe to Fly (P-mode with Vision Positioning but 

wlthoutGPS) 

Safe to Fly (A-mode but No GPS and Vision 

Positioning) 

Remote Controller's Signal Lost 

Low Battery Warning 

Critical Battery Warning 

IMU Error 

Critical Error 

•iF(! ;yy ······Red and Yellow Rash Alternatively Compass Calibration Required 

The Return-to-Horne (RTH) function brings the aircraft back to the last recorded Horne Point. There are 

three types of RTH procedures: Smart RTH, Low Battery RTH, and Failsafe RTH. This section describes 

these three scenarios in detail. 

GPS 

Home Point 

Description 

If a strong GPS signal was acquired before takeoff, the Horne Point 

is the location from which the aircraft was launched. The GPS signal 

strength is indicated by the GPS icon ( ~.u, ). The aircraft status 

indicator will blink rapidly when the horne point is recorded. 

Use the RTH button on the remote controller (refer to "RTH button" on page 26 for more information) or 

tap the RTH button in the DJI Pilot app and follow the on-screen instructions when GPS is available to initiate Smart RTH. The aircraft will then automatically return to the last recorded Horne Point. You may use 

the remote controller's control sticks to control the aircraft's position to avoid a collision during the Smart 

RTH process. Press and hold the Smart RTH button once to start the process, and press the Smart RTH 

button again to terminate the procedure and regain full control of the aircraft. 

-~--
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

The low battery level failsafe is triggered when the DJI Intelligent Flight Battery is depleted to a point that 

may affect the safe return of the aircraft. Users are advised to return home or land the aircraft immediately 

when prompted. The DJI Pilot app will display a notice when a low battery warning is triggered. The 

aircraft will automatically return to the Horne Point if no action is taken after a ten-second countdown. The 

user can cancel the RTH procedure by pressing the RTH button on the remote controller. The thresholds 

for these warnings are automatically determined based on the aircraft's current altitude and distance from 

the Home Point. 

The aircraft will land automatically if the current battery level can only support the aircraft long enough 

to descend from its current altitude. The user can still use the remote controller to alter the aircraft's 

orientation during the landing process. 

The Battery Level Indicator is displayed in the DJI Pilot app, and is described below: 

Critical Low battery level 

warning( Red) 

Sufflclent battery 

level( Green) 

j_ Low batter/ 

level warn>!(YeUow) T . 

Power requires 

Remaining flight time 

1 to return horne 

Battery level Indicator 

eattery Level. Remark Aircraft Status DJI Pilot app Wsrning Indicator 

Tap "Go-home" to have the 

aircraft return to the Home 

point and land automatically, 

Low battery The battery Aircraft status or "Cancel" to resune normal 

level warning power is low. indicator blinks flight. If no action is taken, 

Please land the RED slowly. the aircraft will automatically 

aircraft. go home and land after 10 

seconds. Remote controller 

will sound an alarm. 

Critical Low The aircraft Aircraft status The DJI Pilot app display will 

battery level must land indicator blinks flash red and the aircraft will 

start to descend. The remote warning immediately. RED quickly. controller will sound an alarm. 

Estimated Estimated 

remaining remaining flight N/A N!A based on current flight time battery level. 

Flight Instructions 

Fly the aircraft 

back and land 

it as soon as 

possible, then 

stop the motors 

and replace the 

battery. 

Allow the aircraft to 

descend and land 

automatically. 

N/A 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

:\;/: • When Critical battery level warning is triggered and the aircraft begins to land automatically, 

you may push the throttle upward to make the aircraft hover at its current altitude, giving you an 

opportunity to navigate to a more appropriate landing location. 

• The colored zones and markers on the battery level indicator bar reflect the estimated 

remaining flight time. They are automatically adjusted according to the aircraft's current location 

and status. 

If the Home Point was successfully recorded and the compass is functioning normally, Failsafe RTH will 

be automatically activated if the remote controller signal is lost for more than three seconds. The Returnto-Horne process may be interrupted and the operator may regain control of the aircraft if the remote 

controller signal connection is re-established. 

Failsafe Illustration 

1 Record Horne Point 

Blinking Green 

4 Signal Lost Lasts (after 3 sec.) 

Fast Blinking Yellow 

2 Confirming Home Point 

~~ollll 

@ 

Blinking Green 

5 RTH (adi.Jstable altitlK:Ie) 

3 Remote Controller Signal Lost 

Fast Blinking Yellow 

J6 Lardrg (after l'x:lvetirg for 5 sees) J 

r;J

x T' 

... 

@ 

Fast Blinking Y!J-'IIo'-w________ Fast Blinking Yellow 

,&. • The aircraft cannot avoid obstruction during the Failsafe RTH, therefore, it is important to set an 

suitable Failsafe altitude before each flight. Launch the DJI Pilot app and enter "Camera" and 

select "MODE > Advanced Settings > Failsafe mode" to set the Failsafe altitude. 

• The aircraft will stop its ascent and return to the Horne Point immediately if the throttle stick is 

moved during the Failsafe RTH procedure. 

The DJI Vision Positioning System uses ultrasound and image data to help the aircraft maintain its current 

position. With the help of Vision Positioning, your Phantom 3 Professional can hover in place more precisely 

and fly indoors or in other environments where a GPS signal is not available. The main components of the 

Vision Positioning System are located on the bottom of your Phantom 3 Professional; they include [2] two 

ultrasonic sensors and [1] one monocular camera. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

Using Vision Positioning 

Vision Positioning is activated automatically when the Phantom 3 Professional is turned on. No 

further action is required. Vision Positioning is typically used in indoor environments, where GPS 

is unavailable. Using the sensors that are built into the Vision Positioning system, the Phantom 3 

Professional can hover precisely even without GPS. 

Follow 

1. Toggle 

the steps 

the flight 

below 

mode 

to use 

switch 

Vision 

toP-mode. 

Positioning: e 

'·' 

2. Place the aircraft on a flat surface. Note that the Vision Positioning system cannot work 

properly on surfaces without clear pattern variations. 

3. Turn on the aircraft. The aircraft status indicator will flash green two times, which indicates the Vision 

Positioning system is ready. Gently push the throttle up to lift off and the aircraft will hover in place. 

& The performance of your Vision Positioning System is affected by the surface over which it is 

flying. The ultrasonic sensors may not be able to accurately measure distances when operating 

above sound-absorbing materials. In addition, the camera may not function correctly in 

suboptimai environments. The aircraft will switch from P-mode to A-mode automatically if neither 

GPS nor Vision Positioning System are available. Operate the aircraft with great caution in the 

following situations: 

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

• Flying over a highly reflective surfaces. 

• Rying at high speeds( over 8 m/s at 2 meters or over 4 rn's at 1 meter). 

• Flying over water or transparent surfaces. 

• Rying over moving surfaces or objects. 

• Flying in an area where the lighting changes frequently or drastically. 

• Flying over extremely dark (lux< 10) or bright (lux> 100,000) surfaces. 

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

• Flying over surfaces without clear patterns or texture. 

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

• Flying over inclined surfaces that will deflect sound waves away from the aircraft. 

'\}: • Keep the sensors clean at all times. Dirt or other debris may adversely affect the effectiveness 

of the sensors. 

• Vision Positioning is only effective when the aircraft is at altitudes of 0.3 to 3 meters. 

• The Vision Positioning System may not function properly when the aircraft is flying over water. 

• The Vision Positioning System may not be able to recognize pattern on the ground in low light 

conditions (less than 100 lux). 

• Do not use other ultrasonic devices with frequency of 40 KHz when Vision Positioning system is 

in operation. 

• Vision Positioning System may not be able to stabilize the aircraft when flying close to the 

ground (below 0.5 meters) at fast speeds .. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

0 Keep the animals away from the aircraft when Vision Positioning system is activated. The sonar 

sensor emits high frequency sounds that are only audible to some animals. 

Flight data is automatically recorded to the internal storage of the aircraft. This includes flight 

telemetry, aircraft status information, and other parameters. To access these data, connect the 

aircraft to the PC through the Micro-USB port and launch the DJI Pilot app. 

Use only DJI approved propellers with your Phantom 3 Professional. The grey and black nuts on 

the propeller indicate where they should be attached and in which direction whey should spin. To 

attach the propellers properly, match the nut color with the motor axis color. 

Propellers 

Figure 

Attach On 

Legends 

Silver Dot Blaf::k Dot 

Motors with a grey axes Motors with a black axes 

El'l Lock : Turn the propellers in the indicated direction to mount and tighten. 

'b'l Unlock: Turn the propellers in the indicated direction to loosen and remove. 

Attaching the Propellers 

1. Be sure to remove the warning stickers from the motors before attaching the propellers. 

2. Attach the propellers with silver dots onto the motors with silver axes and spin the propellers clockwise 

to secure them in place. Attach the propellers with black dots onto the motors with black axes and spin 

the propellers oounter-clockwise to secure them in place. Be sure to tighten each propeller by hand 

before flight. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

& • Ensure propellers are attached to its corresponding motors, otherwise the aircraft cannot take off. 

• Wear gloves when handling propellers. 

• Hand tighten each of the propellers on the corresponding motors to ensure it is attached firmly. 

Detaching the Propellers 

Hold the motor in place with one hand, then spin the propeller in the indicated unlock direction. 

& • Check that the propellers and motors are installed correctly and firmly before every flight. 

• Ensure that all propellers are in good condition before each flight. DO NOT use aged, chipped, 

or broken propellers. 

• To avoid injury, STAND CLEAR of and DO NOTtouch propellers or motors when they are spinning. 

• ONLY use original DJI propellers for a better and safer flight experience. 

The DJI Intelligent Flight Battery has a capacity of 4480 mAh, a voltage of 15.2 V, and a smart charge/ 

discharge functionality. It should only be charged using an appropriate charger that has been approved 

byDJI. 

:i'V. 

·v· 

Intelligent Flrght Battery 

The Intelligent Flight Battery must be fully charged before using it for the first time. Refer to 

'Charging the Intelligent Right Battery' for more information. 

Be aware that the output power of the supplied Phantom 3 Professional charger is 100W. 

DJllntelligent Flight Battery Functions 

1. Battery Level Display: the LED indicators display the current battery level. 

2. Battery Life Display: the LEDs display the current battery power cycle. 

3. Auto-Discharging Function: To prevent swelling, the battery automatically discharges to below 65% of 

total power when it is idle for more than ten days. It takes around two days to discharge the battery to 

65%. It is normal to feel moderate heat being emitted from the battery during the discharge process. 

Discharge thresholds can be set in the DJI Piiot app. 

4. Balanced Charging: Automatically balances the voltage of each battery cell when charging. 

5. Overcharge Protection: Charging automatically stops when the battery is fully charged. 

6. Temperature Detection: The battery will only charge when the temperature is between OOC (32°F} and 

400C (104°F). 

7. Over Current Protection: The battery stops charging when high amperage (more than 8 A) is detected. 

8. Over Discharge Protection: To prevent over-discharge damage, discharging automatically stops when 

the battery voltage reaches 12 V. 

9. Short Circuit Protection: Automatically cuts the power supply when a short circuit is detected. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

10. Battery Cell Damage Protection: The DJI Pilot app displays a warning message when a damaged 

battery cell is detected. 

11. Battery Error History: Browse the battery error history in the DJI Pilot app. 

12. Sleep Mode: To save power, the battery enters sleep mode after 20 minutes of inactivity. 

13. Communication: Information pertaining to the battery's voltage, capacity, current, etc. is transmitted to 

the aircraft's main controller. 

& Refer to Phantom 3 Professional/ Advanced Intelligent Right Battery Safety Guidelines before 

use. Users take full responsibiHty for all operations and usage. 

)> Using the Battery a· 

~ 

Power Button (Buiit-in LED) 

Turning ON/OFF 

Turning On: Press the Power Button once, then press again and hold for 2 seconds to turn on. The 

Power LED will turn red and the Battery Level Indicators will display the current battery level. 

Turning Off: Press the Power Button once, then press again and hold for 2 seconds to turn off. The 

battery power LED will flash when powering off the Phantom to allow automatically stopping 

of a recording during the event recording wasn't stopped. 

Low Temperature Notice: 

1. Battery capacity is significantly reduced when flying in low temperature ( < 0°C) environments. 

2. It is not recommended that the battery be used in extremely low temperature ( < -1 0°C) environments. 

Battery voltage should reach the appropriate level when operating environment with temperatures 

between -1 ooc and 5°C. 

3. End the flight as soon as the DJI Pilot app displays the "Low Battery Level Warning" in low temperature 

environments. 

4. Keep the battery indoors to warm it before flying in low temperature environments. 

5. To ensure optimal performance of the battery, keep the battery temperature above 20°C. 

6. The charger will stop charging the battery if the battery cell's temperature is not within the operating 

range (OOC - 40°C ). 

& In cold environments, insert the battery into the battery compartment and allow the aircraft for 

approximately 1-2 minutes to warm up before taking off. 

Checking the Battery Level 

The Battery Level Indicators display how much power remains. When the battery is turned off, press 

the Power Button once. The Battery Level Indicators will light up to display the current battery level. See 

below for details. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

EEl The Battery Level Indicators will also show the current battery level during charging and 

discharging. The indicators are defined below. 

0 : LED is on. D : LED is flashing. 

0 : LED is off. 

Battery level 

LE01 LE02 LEOS LE04 Battery Level 

0 0 0 0 87.5%-100% 

0 0 0 11 75%-87.5% 

0 0 0 0 62.5%-75% 

0 0 ill 0 50%-62.5% 

0 0 0 0 37.5%-50% 

0 Jl 0 0 25%-37.5% 

0 0 0 0 12.5%-25% 

11 0 0 0 0%-12.5% 

0 0 0 0 =()% 

Battery life 

Battery life refers to how many more times the battery can be discharged and recharged before it must 

be replaced. When the battery is turned off, press and hold the Power Button for 5 seconds to check the 

battery life. The Battery Level Indicators will light up and/or blink for two seconds, as shown below: 

Battery Life 

LE01 LE02 LEOS LE04 Battery Ufe 

0 0 0 0 90%-100% 

0 0 0 nr 80%-90% 

0 0 0 0 70%-80% 

0 0 ~:a 0 80%-70% 

0 0 0 0 50%-60% 

0 n 0 0 40%-50% 

0 0 0 0 30%-40% 

n 0 0 0 20%-30% 

0 0 0 0 below20% 

Lt When battery life reaches 0%, it can no longer be used. 

EEl For more information about the battery, launch the OJI Pilot app and check the information that is 

listed under the battery tab. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

Charging the Intelligent Right Battery 

1. Connect the Battery Charger to a power source (1 00-240 V 50/60 Hz). 

2. Open the Protection Cap and connect the Intelligent Right Battery to the Battery Charger. If the battery 

level is above 95%, turn on the battery before charging. 

3. The Battery Level indicator will display the current battery level as it is charging. 

4. The Intelligent Flight Battery is fully charged when the Battery Level Indicators are all off. 

5. Air-cool the Intelligent Flight Battery after each flight. Allow its temperature to drop to room temperature 

before storing it for an extended period . 

.1}. • We do not recommend charging the Intelligent Flight Battery and remote controller with the 

standard charger at the same time, otherwise the charger may overheat. 

• Always turn off the battery before inserting it or removing it from the Phantom 3 Professional. 

Never insert or remcve a battery when it is turned on. 

Intelligent Flight Battery 

Battery Level Indicators While Charging 

LED1 LED2 LED3 

n o o 

n :a o 

:ri n n 

'li' ,)'[ !i' ~~ ~ ~ 

0 0 0 

Battery Protection LED Display 

LED4 

0 

0 

0 

n 

0 

Charger Power Outlet 

Battery Level 

0%-25% 

25%-50% 

50%-75% 

75%-100% 

Fully Charged 

The table below shows battery protection mechanisms and corresponding LED patterns. 

Battery Level Indicators whilE! Charging 

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Blinking Pattern Battery Protection Item 

0 u 0 0 LED2 blinks twice per second Over current detected 

0 n 0 0 LED2 blinks three times per second Short circuit detected 

0 0 u 0 LED3 blinks twice per second Over charge detected. 

0 0 u 0 LED3 blinks three times per second Over-voltage charger detected 

0 0 0 n LED4 blinks twice per second Charging temperature is too low 

0 0 0 n LED4 blinks three times per second Charging temperature is too high 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

After these issues are resolved, press the Power Button to tum off the Battery Level Indicator. Unplug the 

Intelligent Right Battery from the charger and plug it back in to resume charging. Note that you do not 

need to unplug and plug in the charger in the event of a roorn temperature error; the charger will resume 

charging when the temperature is within the allowable range. 

& DJI does not take any responsibility for damage caused by third-party chargers. 

'~' How to discharge your Intelligent Flight Battery: 

Slow : Place the Intelligent Right Battery into the Phantom 3 Professional's Battery Compartment 

and tum it on. Leave it on until there is less than 8% of power left, or until the battery can no 

longer be turned on. Launch the DJI Pilot app to check battery levels. 

Rapid : Fly the Phantom 3 Professional outdoors until there is less than 8% of power left, or until 

the battery can no longer be turned on. 
Remote Controller 

This section describes the features 

of the remote controller and includes 

instructions for controlling the aircraft 

and the camera. 
Remote Controller 

··a~~~::p~~~~t~r:~r:~~~1 .• ~··. 

The Phantom 3 Professional remote controller is a multi-function wireless communication device that 

integrates the video downlink system and aircraft remote control system. The video downlink and aircraft 

remote control system operate at 2.4 GHz. The remote controller features a number of camera control 

functions, such as taking and previewing photos and videos, as well as controlling gimbal motion. 

The remote controller is powered by a 2S rechargeable battery. The battery level is displayed via LED 

indicators on the front panel of the remote controller. 

q;J 

~ • Compliance Version: The remote controller is compliant with both CE and FCC regulations. 

• Operating Mode: Control can be set to Mode 1 or Mode 2, or to a custom mode. 

• Mode 1 : The right stick serves as the throttle. 

• Mode 2: The left stick serves as the throttle. 

& To prevent transmission interference, do not operate more than three aircrafts in the same area. 

··u~Jhs)t,fl~;·~~~f~:~Q~·~bt~.···•····. 

Turning the Remote Controller On and Off 

The Phantom 3 Professional remote controller is powered by a 2S rechargeable battery that has a 

capacity of 6000 mAh. The battery level is indicated via the Battery Level LEOs on the front panel. Follow 

the steps below to turn on your remote controller: 

1. When the remote controller is turned off, press the Power Button once. The Battery Level LEOs will 

display the current battery level. 

2. Press and hold the Power Button to turn on the remote controller. 

3. The remote controller will beep when it is turned on. The Status LED will rapidly blink green, indicating 

that the remote controller is linking to the aircraft. The Status LEOs will glow solid green when linking is 

complete. 

4. Repeat Step 2 to turn off the remote controller. 

Charging the Remote Controller 

Charge the remote controller using the included charger. Refer to the figure on next page below for more 

details. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

Power Button 

Controlling the Camera 

Shoot videos/pictures, view recorded images, and adjust camera settings via the Shutter Button, Camera 

Settings Dial, Playback Button, and Video Recording Button on the remote controller. 

[1] Camera Settings Dial 

Tum the dial to adjust camera settings such as ISO, shutter speed, and aperture without letting go of 

the remote controller. Move the dial to left or right to scroll through pictures and videos in playback 

mode. Press down on the dial to toggle between these settings. 

[2] Playback Button 

Press to view images and videos that have already been captured. 

[3] Shutter Button 

Press to take a photo. If burst mode is activated, multiple photos will be taken with a single press. 

[4] Video Recoding Button 

Press once to start recording video, then press again to stop recording. 

[5] Gimbal Dial 

Use this dial to control the tilt of the gimbal. 

Controlling Aircraft 

This section explains how to control the orientation of the aircraft through the remote controller. The 

Remote Control is set to Mode 2 by default. 
Phantom 3 Professional User lvlanual 

Eel Stick Neutral/Mid-Point: Control sticks are in the center position. 

Moving the Control Stick: The control stick is pushed away from the center position. 

~~ (!$lndicate~ :: 0-irectiO-~~~~ark-s ___ _ 

___ - ~------------~ving thel;ft stic~p-and down ch~ges th; 

I aircraft's elevation. I Push the stick up to ascend and down to descend. 

I When both sticks are centered, the Phantom 3 

I , Professional will hover in place. 

I The rmre the stick is pushed away from the center I position, the faster the Phantom 3 Professional will 

I change elevation. Always push the stick gently 

I 

to prevent sudden and unexpected elevation 

1 changes. ---,---·--------~. ---- ! i Moving the left stick to the left or right controls the 

! ~ ~ 1 rudder and rotation of the aircraft. 

I ~ 't II Push the sick left to rotate the aircraft counterclockwise, push the stick right to rotate the aircraft 

I clockwise. If the stick is centered, the Phantom 3 

I I Professional will maintain its current orientation. 

I I The more the stick is pushed away from the center 

1 I position, the faster the Phantom 3 Professional will 

____ __j .-l!ota_te_. ___________ _ 

1

[ 1 Moving the right stick up and down changes the 

~ I 

aircraft's forward and backward pitch. 

I '*'~ ~ Push the stick up to fly forward and down to fly 

1 ¢ • I backward. Phantom 3 Professional will hover in 

I I place if the stick is centered. 

1

: i Push the stick further aw~ from the center posttion for 

I 

a larger pttch angle (maximum 30°) and faster flight. 

-~----,-,--· -- ·----ir-M-o-ving th~rlgh~iick control left and right changes 

, f the aircraft's left and right pitch. 

! 1 Push left to fly left and right to fly right. The 

[ . I Phantom 3 Professional will hover in place if the 

-!;;ci-~--~------ .. --- -~ :i:~:lc:~::~~:rn the dial to th;~~;.- an;-they-~ I l1l1l ·1 camera will shift to point upwards. Turn the 

l ~ J ( 1 dial to the left, and the camera will shift to point 

~ I I downwards. The camera will remain In its current 

------'~-- I position when dial is static. _______ _ 
::0 

Cll 

3 

g 

CD 

() 

0 

;a 

Q. 

~ 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

Flight Mode Switch 

Toggle the switch to select the desired flight mode. 

You may choose between; P-mode, F-mode and Amode. 

Position Figur~ Flight Mode 

Position 1 C:.:::0 F-mode 

Position2 Gb A-mode 

Position3 ~ P-mode 

Position1~ 

Position2g --·---

Position3~ 

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

versions of P-mode, which will be automatically selected by the Phantom 3 Professional depending on 

GPS signal strength and the Vision Positioning sensors: 

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

P-OPTI: Vision Positioning is available but a sufficient GPS signal is not available. Aircraft is using 

only Vision Positioning for position holding. 

P-ATTI: Neither GPS nor Vision Positioning is available, the aircraft is using only its barometer for 

positioning, so only altitude is maintained. 

A-mode (Attitude): GPS and Vision Positioning System are not used for stabilization. The aircraft uses 

only its barometer to stabilize. The aircraft can automatically return to the Home Point if remote controller 

signal is lost and the Home Point was recorded successfully. 

F-mode (Function): Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) is activated in this mode. For more information 

about IOC, refer to the IOC section in the Appendix. 

By default, the Flight Mode Switch is locked to P-mode. To unlock other flight modes, launch the OJI Pilot 

app, enter the "Camera" page, and tap "Mode", then activate "Multiple Flight Mode". 

RTHButton 

Press and hold the RTH button to start the Return-to-Home (RTH) procedure. The LED ring around the RTH 

Button will blink white to indicate that the aircraft is entering RTH mode. The aircraft will then return to the 

last recorded Home Point. Press this button again to cancel the RTH procedure and regain control of the 

aircraft. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

Connecting Your Mobile Device 

Tilt the mobile device holder to the desired position. Press the button on the side of the mobile device holder 

to release the clamp, and then place your mobile device into the cradle. Adjust the clamp down to secure the 

mobile device. To connect your mobile device to the remote oontroller using a USB cable, plug one end of 

the cable into your mobile device and the other end into the USB port on the back of the remote controller. 

Optimal Transmission Range 

The transmission signal between the aircraft and the remote oontroller is most reliable within the area that 

is depicted in the image below: 

Optimal Transmission Range 

strong weak 

Ensure that the aircraft is flying within the optimal transmission zone. To achieve the best transmission 

performance, maintain the appropriate relationship between the operator and the aircraft. 

The Status LED reflects the strength of the connection between the remote controller and the aircraft. The 

RTH LED indicates the Return-to-Home status of the aircraft. The table below contains more information 

about these indicators. 

~ ·- -- RTH LED 

Status LED -·---·---- ---·• •••• 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

Status LED 

·R -Solid Red 

·~ -Solid Green 

Alarm 

I Chime 

1 Chime 

R .... ··Slow Blinking Red 0-D-0 ...... 

cj:{ ·G: {iP.; iy\ ...... 

Red and Green/ Red and None 

Yellow Alternate Blinks 

RTH LED Sound 

iN -Solid White I Chime 

,~, ...... Blinking White 

w ...... Blinking White 

Ooo• 

00""" 

Remote Controller Status 

The remote controller is disconnected from the aircraft 

The remote controller is connected to the aircraft. 

Remote controller error. 

HO downlink is disrupted. 

Remote Controller Status 

Aircraft is returning horne. 

Sending Return-to-Home command to the aircraft. 

Return-to-Home procedure in progress. 

& The Remote Status Indicator will blink red arid sound an alert, when the battery level is critically low. 

~i!11d1'li~~;~~J!l?t~;~n~oli~r· , ..... ··., ... ;t·.··· · ., .. 

The remote controller is linked to your aircraft before delivery. Linking Is only required when using a new 

remote controller for the first time. Follow these steps to link a new remote controller: 

1. Turn on the remote controller and connect to the mobile device. Launch the OJI Pilot app. 

2. Turn on the Intelligent Flight Battery. 

3. Enter "Camera" arid tap on Ill' ,1111 and then tap "Linking RC" button as shown below. 

RC Calibration > 

Stick Mode > 

Default stick mode is Mode 2, changing stick modes alters the way the aircraft is controlled. 

Do not change unless familiar with your new mode. 

C1 1~--~N~o~t~De~fi~tn~ed~--~ C2 1'-----'N-"o"'t-=D,;;.efi"'tn;,:;e,;;.d __ --' 

28 ''i!';DJ; '·•!\1-hj~•<:- F';c·'' 

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

oftheRC. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

4. The remote controller is ready to link. The Remote Controller Status Indicator blinks blue and a beep is 

emitted. 

RC Calibration 

Stick Mode 

De tau 

Dono 

C1 

It stick mode is M 

t change unless f 

I NotD 

> 

> 

Searching lor akcralt frequency, 

timeout in 54 seconds the aircraft is control! ed. 

Press the linking button on the aircraft 

to link this remote controller 

Cancel Defined J 

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

of the RC. 

5. Locate the linking button on the side of the aircraft, as shown in the figure below. Press the link button 

to start linking. The Remote Controller Status Indicator LED will display a solid green once the remote 

controller is successfully linked to the aircraft. 

Link Button 

Lt. • The remote controller will un-link itself from an aircraft if a new remote controller is linked to the 

same aircraft. 

a~~bi o9.titrolJ~COt1'll)tJ~)l~r$i~r:r 

The remote controller is compliant with both CE and FCC requirements. 
Camera and Gimbal 

This section provides the technical 

specifications of the camera and 

explains the gimbal's operation modes. 
Camera and Gimbal 

The on-board camera uses the 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensorto capture video (up to 4096x2160p at 24fps or 

4K at up to 30fps with the Phantom 3 Professional) and 12 megapixel stills. You may choose to record 

the video in either MOV or MP4 format. Available picture shooting modes include burst, continuous, and 

time-lapse mode. A live preview of what the camera sees can be monitored on the connected mobile 

device via the DJI Pilot app. 

Camera Micro-SO Card Slot 

To store your photos and videos, insert the Micro-SO card into the slot, as shown below, before 

turning on the Phantom 3 Professional. The Phantom 3 Professional comes with a 16 GB Micro-SO 

card and supports Micro-SO cards up to 64GB. A UHS-1 Micro-SO card is recommended due to 

their fast read and write speeds allowing you to save high-resolution video data. 

0 Do not remove the Micro-SO card from the Phantom 3 Professional when it is turned on. 

Camera Data Port 

Turn on the Phantom 3 Professional and connect a USB cable to the Camera Data Port to download 

photos and videos to your computer. 

. ----

Lb. The aircraft must be turned on before attempting to access the files on the Micro-SO card. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

Camera Operation 

Use the Shutter and Video Recording buttons on the remote controller to shoot the images or videos 

through the DJI Pilot app. For more information about how to use these buttons, refer to "Controlling the 

Camera Page 24". 

Gimbal Profile 

The 3-axis gimbal provides a steady platform for the attached camera, allowing you to capture clear, 

stable images and video. The gimbal can tilt the camera within a 120· range. 

Use the gimbal dial on the remote controller to control the tilt movement of the camera. 

Gimbal Operation Modes 

Two gimbal operation modes are available. Switch between the different operation modes on the camera 

settings page of the DJI Pilot app. Note that your mobile device must be connected to the remote 

controller for changes to take effect. Refer to the table below for details: 

Follow Mode The angle between gimbal's orientation and aircraft's nose remains 

constant at all times. 

FPVMode The gimbal will synchronize with the movement of the aircraft to provide a 

first-person perspective flying experience. 

Lf:, • A gimbal motor error may occur in these situations: ( 1) the aircraft is placed on uneven ground 

or the gimbal's motion is obstructed (2) the gimbal has been subjected to an excessive 

external force, such as a collision. Please take off from flat, open ground and protect the gimbal 

at all times. 

• Flying in heavy fog or clouds may make the gimbal wet, leading to temporary failure. The 

gimbal will recover full functionality after it dries. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

Anti-Drop Kit 

The anti-drop kit helps keep the gimbal and camera connected to the aircraft. Two pins have been 

mounted prior to shipping. If new or additional pins are required, see the diagram below. Press Part 

(j) through the hole of the vibration absorber and into the center hole of Part ® , then lock them together 

as shown®. Mounting the anti-drop kit pins diagonally from each other is recommended. 
DJIPilotApp 

This section introduces the four main 

functions of the DJI Pilot app. 
DJIPilotApp 

The DJI Pilot app is a mobile application designed specifically for the Phantom 3 Professional. Use this 

app to control the gimbal, camera, and other aircraft functions. The app also features Map, Academy, 

and User Center, which are used for configuring your aircraft and sharing your photos and videos with 

others. It is recommended that you use a tablet for the best experience. 

United States 

Mountain View 

DIRECTOR DISCOVERY 

The Camera page contains a live HD video feed from the Phantom 3 Professional's camera. You can also 

configure various camera parameters from the Camera page. 

[5] [6] [8] 

! I . ! I 

[15]--@ 

"" 

. ~ 

•• ---[10] • 

[12] [11] 
~ 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

[1) Flight Mode 

E): The text next to this icon indicates the current flight mode. 

Tap to configure the MC (Main Controller) Settings. These settings allow you to modify flight limits and 

set the gain values. 

[2) GPS Signal Strength 

~.ul!: This icon shows the current strength of GPS signals. Green bars indicate adequate GPS 

strength. 

[3) IOC Settings 

t>A CL : This icon displays the IOC setting when the aircraft has entered F-mode. Tap to view the IOC 

settings menu and select the desired IOC setting. 

[4) System Status 

c~~Fiy(GPS), : This icon indicates the current aircraft system status and GPS signal strength. 

::P. [5) Battery Level Indicator 

§: -<>-o ___ .,:The battery level indicator provides a dynamic display of the battery level. The colored 

-6' zones on the battery level indicator represent the power levels needed to carry out different functions. "'0 

[6) Remote Controller Signal 

g." ,1111: This icon shows the strength of remote controller's signal. 

[7) HD VIdeo Link Signal Strength 

IJfef ,11ll: This icon shows the strength of the HD video downlink connection between the aircraft and 

the remote controller. 

[8] Battery Level 

f't 1 ()0%: This icon shows the current battery level. 

Tap to view the battery information menu, set the various battery warning thresholds, and view the 

battery warning history. 

[9] General Settings 

:::Tap this icon to view the General Settings page. From this page, you can set flight parameters, 

reset the camera, enable the quick view feature, adjust the gimbal roll value, and toggle the flight 

route display. 

[10] Camera Operation Bar 

Shutter and Recording Settings 

9: Tap to enter various camera value settings, including color space for the recording, resolution of 

the videos, image size and so on. 

Shutter 

e : Tap this button to take a single photo. Press and hold this button to select single shot, triple shot 

or time-lapsed shooting modes. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

Record 

~ : Tap once to start recording video, then tap again to stop recording. You can also press the 

Video Recording Button on the remote controller, which has the same functionaiity. 

Playback 

[f) :Tap to enter the playback page. You can preview photos and videos as soon as they are 

captured. 

Camera Settings 

~;: : Tap to set ISO, shutter and auto exposure values of the camera. 

[11] Vision Positioning 

g : This icon shows the distance between the surface and the Vision Positioning System's sensors. 

[12] Flight Telemetry 

The Vision Positioning Status icon is highlighted when the Vision Positioning is in operation. 

Flight attitude is indicated by the flight attitude icon. 

(1) The red arrow shows which direction the aircraft is facing. 

(2) Light blue and dark blue areas indicate pitch. 

(3} The angle of the boundary between the light blue and dark blue areas indicates the roll angle. 

[13] Map 

Display the flight path of the current flight. Tap to switch from the Camera GUI to the Map GUI. 

[14] Retum to Home (RTH) 

Ji) : Initiate RTH home procedure. Tap to have the aircraft return to the last recorded home point. 

[15] Auto Takeoff/Landing 

.. t..l..!. : Tap to initiate auto takeoff or landing. 

0 

c_ 
0 

'-

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

[ 16] Live stream 

~ : Livestream icon indicates the current video feed is broadcasting live on YouTube. Be sure the 

mobile data seNice is available on the mobile device. 

[17] Back 

ft : Tap to return to the main GUI. 

,_ . ---

•o•r:EtotQt; · · 

Director is an automatic video editor built into the DJI Pilot app. After recording several video clips, simply 

tap "Director" from the app's home screen. You can then select a template and a specified number of 

clips, which are automatically combined to create a short film that can be shared immediately. 

Tap "Store" to visit the official DJI Online Store to see the latest information about OJI products and easily 

buy new products. 

·bi~~~n(· .. :; 

Sync pictures and videos to your mobile device, view flight logs, and check your DJI account status in 

'Discovery'. Use your registered DJI account to login to 'Discovery'. 
Flight 

This section describes safe flight 

practices and flight restrictions. 
Flight 

Once pre-flight preparation is complete, it is recommended that you use the flight simulator in the DJI Pilot 

app to hone your flight skills and practice flying safely. Ensure that all flights are carried out in an open 

area. 

~~li~f1tf3f1\'ffo~m~t~.~~9~it~~~···.··.··· 

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

snow, rain and fog. 

2. Only fly in open areas. Tall structures and large metal structures may affect the accuracy of the onboard compass and GPS system. 

3. Avoid obstacles, crowds, high voltage power lines, trees, and bodies of water. 

4. Minimize interference by avoiding areas with high levels of electromagnetism, including base stations 

and radio transmission towers. 

5. Aircraft and battery performance is subject to environmental factors such as air density and 

temperature.Be very careful when flying at altitudes greater than 19, 685 feet (6000 meters) above sea 

::n level, as the performance of the battery and aircraft may be affected. 

~ 6. The Phantom 3 Professional cannot operate within the polar areas. 

•.·F;~~~t,OJ1lt~:~f!~J~or:~•¥.:~@!~!~;~~.•·· 

All unmanned aerial vehicle (UA V) operators should abide by all regulations set forth by government and 

regulatory agencies including the ICAO and the FAA. For safety reasons, flights are limited by default, 

which helps users operate this product safely and legally. Flight limitations include height limits, distance 

limits, and No-Fly Zones. 

When operating In P-mode, height limits, distance limits, and No-Fly Zones function concurrently to 

manage flight safety. In A-mode, only height limits are in effect, which by default prevent the aircraft 

altitude from exceeding 1640 feet (500 m). 

Maximum flight altitude & Radius Limits 

Maximum flight altitude and radius limits may be changed in the DJI Pilot app. Be aware that the 

maximum flight altitude cannot exceed 1640 feet (500 meters). In accordance with these settings, your 

Phantom 3 Professional will fly in a restricted cylinder, as shown below: 

Maximum Flight Altitude Max Radius 

Home Point 

-Lit--~- Height of a<rcraft 

when turned on 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

FlightUmits DJI Pilot app 

Maximum Flight Aircraft's altitude cannot Warning: Height 

Altitude exceed the specified value. limit reached. 

Max Radius Flight distance must be within Warning: Distance 

the rnax radius. 

GPS Signal Weak Y ..... ·~inking Yel!l>w 

Flight Limits 

Maximum 

Flight 

Altitude 

Max Radius 

Height is restricted to 400 

feet. (120m) and under. 

No limits 

limit reached. 

DJI Pilot app 

Warning; Height limit 

reached. 

Aircraft Status lndicat>r 

None. 

Rapid red flashing " 

...... when close to the 

max radius lirnit. 

Aircraft Status Indicator 

None. 

• If you fly out of the limit, you can still control the Phantom 3, but cannot fly it any father. If the 

~ Phantom 3 flies out of the max radius in Ready to Fly (non-GPS) mode, it will fly back within 

range automatically. 

• If the Phantom 3 flies out of the max radius in Ready to Fly (non-GPS) mode, it will fly back 

within range automatically. 

No-RyZones 

All No-Fly Zones are listed on the DJI official website at http://flysafe.dji.com/no-fly. No-Ry Zones are 

divided into Airports and Restricted Areas. Airports include major airports and flying fields where manned 

aircraft operate at low altitudes. Restricted Areas include border lines between countries or sensitive 

institute. The details of the No-Fly Zones are explained as follow: 

Airport 

( 1) Airport No-Ry Zone are comprised of Take-off Restricted zones and Restricted Altitude Zones. Each 

zone features circles of various sizes. 

(2) R1 miles (value of the R1 depends on the size and shape of the airport) around the airport is a Takeoff restricted zone, inside of which take off is prevented. 

(3) From R1 mile to R1 + 1 mile around the airport the flight altitude is limited to a 15 degree inclination. 

Starting at 65 feet (20 meters) from the edge of airport and radiating outward. The flight altitude is 

limited to 1640 feet (500 meters) at R1+1 mile 

(4) When the aircraft enters within 320 feet (100 meters) of No-Fly Zones, a warning message will appear 

on the OJI Pilot app. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

L J-1mile----+I+-R1 

r,;;:;]+------ R2 -----+ 

Restricted Area 

No-fly zone Restricted-altitude flight zone Warning zone 

;g. (1) Restricted Areas does not have flight altitude restrictions. 

;:r (2) R miles around the designated restriction area is a Take-off Restricted area. Aircraft cannot take off 

within this zone. The value of R varies based on the definition of the restricted areas. 

(3) A "warning zone" has been set around the Restricted Area. When the aircraft approaches within 0.6 

miles (1 km) of this zone, a warning message will appear on the OJI Pilot app. 

I -Restricted Area--+ I 

No-Hy zone Warning zone Free zone 

42 . 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

GPS Signal Strong ($:· ...... Blinking Green 

Aircraft 

Zone Restriction OJI Pilot App Prompt Status 

Indicator 

Motors will not start. Warning: You are in a No-fly 

zone. Take off prohibited. 

No-fly Zone If the aircraft enters the 

restricted area in A-mode, but is Warning: You are in a no-fly zone. switched to P-mode, the aircraft 

will automatically descend, land, Automatic landing has begun. 

and stop its motors. 

R1: Warning: You are in a R: ...... 

If the aircraft enters the restricted restricted zone. Descending to Red flashing Restricted- area in A-mode, but is switched safe altitude. 

altitude flight to P-mode, it will descend to an R2: Warning: You are in a 

zone appropriate altitude and hover restricted zone. Maximum flight 

altitude is restricted to between 15 feet below the altitude limit. 20m and 500m. Ry cautiously. 

Warning zone No flight restriction applies, but Warning: You are approaching a 

there will be a warning . restricted zone, Fly cautiously. 

Free zone No restrictions. None. None. 

Eel Serni-autornatic descent: All stick commands are available except the throttle stick command 

during the descent and landing process. Motors will stop automatically after landing. 

& • When flying in a safety zone, the aircraft's status indicator will blink red rapidly and continue 

for 3 seconds, then switch to indicate current flying status and continue for 5 seconds at which 

point it will switch back to blinking red. 

• For safety reasons, please do not fly close to airports, highways, railway stations, railway lines, 

city centers, or other sensitive areas. Ry the aircraft only within your line of sight. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

1. Remote controller, Intelligent Right Battery, and mobile device are fully charged. 

2. Propellers are mounted correctly and firmly. 

3. Micro-SO card has been inserted, if necessary. 

4. Gimbal is functioning normally. 

5. Motors can start and are functioning normally. 

6. The DJI Pilot app is successfully connected to the aircraft. 

IMPORTANT: Always calibrate the compass in every new flight location. The compass is very sensitive 

to electromagnetic interference, which can produce abnormal compass data and lead to poor flight 

performance or flight failure. Regular calibration is required for optimal performance. 

0 • Do not calibrate your compass where there is any possibility of strong magnetic interference. 

Sources of potential interference include magnetite, parking structures, and subterranean 

l} metal structures 

;:r • Do not carry ferromagnetic materials with you during calibration such as keys or cellular 

phones. 

• Do not calibrate in direct proximity to large metal objects. 

• DO NOT calibrate indoors. 

Calibration Procedures 

Choose an open area to carry out the following procedures. 

1. Ensure that the compass is calibrated. If you did not calibrate the compass as part of your pre-flight 

preparations, or if you have moved to a new location since the last calibration, tap the Aircraft Status 

Bar in the app and select "Calibrate", then follow the on-screen instructions. 

2. Hold the aircraft horizontally and rotate 360 degrees. The Aircraft Status Indicators will display a solid 

green light. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

3. Hold the aircraft vertically, with nose pointing downward, and rotate it 360 degrees around the center 

axis. Recalibrate the compass if the Aircraft Status Indicator glows solid red. 

1 

&, If the Aircraft Status Indicator blinks red and yellow after the calibration procedure, move your 

aircraft to a different location and try again. 

:¢: Calibrate the compass before each flight. launch the DJI Pilot app and follow the on-screen 

instructions to calibrate the compass. DO NOT calibrate the compass near metal objects such 

as a metal bridge, cars, scaffolding. 

When to Recalibrate 

1.When compass data is abnormal and the Aircraft Status Indicator is blinking green and yellow. 

2.When flying in a new location or in a location that is different from the most recent flight. 

3.When the mechanical or physical structure of the Phantom 3 Professional has been changed. 

4.When severe drifting occurs in flight, i.e. Phantom 3 Professional does not fly in straight line. 

~~~tQ,~~1f;~9A~tilq#6<!10~.~.· ' .... ·. 

Auto Takeoff 

Use auto takeoff only if the Aircraft Status Indicators are blinking green. Follow the steps below to use the 

auto takeoff feature: 

1. Launch the DJI Pilot app, and enter "Camera" page. 

2. Ensure the aircraft is in P- mode. 

3. Complete all steps on the pre-flight checklist. 

4. Tap".t.", and confirm that conditions are safe for flight. Slide the icon to confirm and takeoff. 

5. Aircraft takes off and hovers at (1.5 meters) above ground. 

&, Aircraft Status Indicator blinks rapidly when it is using the Vision Position System for stabilization. 

The aircraft will automatically hover below 3 meters. It is recommended to wait until there is 

sufficient GPS lock before using the Auto Take-off feature. 
Phantom 3 Professional User Manual 

Auto-Landing 

Use auto-landing only if the Aircraft Status Indicators are blinking green. Follow the steps below to use the 

auto-landing feature: 

1. Ensure the aircraft is in P- mode. 

2. Check the landing area condition before tapping".!.", to begin landing. Then follow the on-screen 

instructions. 

~~~!tf~J~tgpl;>ilJ!J, t&eMt?t()~s~< .. Starting the Motors 

A Combination Stick Command (CSC) is used to start the motors. Push both sticks to the bottom 

inner or outer corners to start the motors. Once the motors have started spinning, release both sticks 

simultaneously. 

Stopping the Motors 

There are two methods to stop the motors. 

Method 1: When Phantom 3 Professional has landed, push the throttle downG:>, then conduct the same 

esc that was used to start the motors, as described above®. Motors will stop immediately. Release both 

sticks once motors stop. 

Method 2: When the aircraft has landed, push and hold the throttle down. The motors will stop after three 

seconds. 

Method 1 Method 2 

,&, Do not perform a CSC when the aircraft is in midair, otherwise the motors will suddently stop. 

Takeoffll...anding Procedures 

1. Place the aircraft in an open, flat area with the battery level indicators facing towards you. 

2. Turn on the remote controller and your mobile device, then turn on the Intelligent Flight Battery. 

3. Launch the DJI Pilot app and enter the Camera page. 

4. Wait until the Aircraft Indicators blink green. This means the Home Point is recorded and it is now safe 

to fly. If they flash yellow, the Horne Point has not been recorded. 

5. Push the throttle up slowiy to take off or use Auto Takeoff. 

6. Shoot photos and videos using the DJJ Pilot app. 

7. To land, hover over a level surface and gently pull down on the throttle to descend. 

8. After landing, execute the CSC command or hold the throttle at its lowest position until the motors stop. 

9. Turn off the Intelligent Flight Battery first, then the Remote Controller.