1

Drone/UAS Practice Group 35 E Wacker Drive

Suite 1875

Chicago, IL 60601

Tel. 312.201.8310

 Jeffrey@Antonelli-Law.com

U.S. Department of Transportation February 12, 2016

Docket Management System

1200 New Jersey Ave S.E. 

Washington, D.C. 20590

Re: Request for Exemption under Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 

2012 and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations from Certain Provisions of 14 C.F.R.

Aerial Media Services, LLC

Dear Sir or Madam: 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the Reform 

Act) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, Antonelli Law files this petition for exemption on behalf of Aerial 

Media Services, LLC (“Aerial Media Services”), an operator of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems 

(“UAs”) for the commercial purposes of aerial photography and videography, including but not 

limited to real estate, cinematography, and search and rescue operations. Specifically, petitioner 

seeks an exemption from the Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) listed in Appendix A to allow

commercial operation of its UA, so long as such operations are conducted within and under the 

conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA in a grant of this petition. This 

request is substantially similar to dozens of other aerial photography and videography petitions 

previously approved, and should be considered under the expedited summary grant procedure.

Approval of the exemption for petitioner will allow operation of the Phantom 3 

Professional for the proposed uses in Class G airspace nationwide, or as otherwise prescribed by 

an Air Traffic Organization (ATO) issued COA. The UA covered by this petition has been 

previously approved for the proposed uses in the exemption grants identified in Section VII of the 

petition. The UA covered by this petition is small battery-powered craft, weighing no greater than 

2.8 lbs. (1.3 kg), inclusive of battery and payload. Operation of the UA under the strict conditions 

proposed below will provide an equivalent level of safety, as Congress intended, while still 

allowing commercial operations. Operations using this UA is far safer than conventional 

operations conducted with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft that weigh thousands of pounds, 

carry large amounts of highly flammable fuel, and operate in close proximity to the ground, trees, 

infrastructure, and people. 

Congress directed the FAA to consider seven factors in deciding whether to approve 

Section 333 exemption petitions - size, weight, speed, operational capability, proximity to airports, 

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Table of Contents

I. Publishable Summary............................................................................................................ 5

II. Petitioner’s Contact Information ........................................................................................... 5

III. Proposed Operations.............................................................................................................. 6

A. The UA........................................................................................................................... 6

B. The Crew ........................................................................................................................ 7

C. Flight Conditions............................................................................................................ 7

D. Flight Operations............................................................................................................ 7

IV. Aircraft and Equivalent Level of Safety................................................................................ 7

VI. Proposed Conditions of the Exemption................................................................................. 8

VI. Privacy................................................................................................................................. 11

VII. Public Interest and Safety...................................................................................................... 11

VIII. Regulations from Which Exemption is Requested .............................................................. 12

Appendix A: FARs as to which Aerial Media Services wishes the same determination to be 

made as has been made previously........................................................................................ 13
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Exhibit List

Exhibit 1: DJI Phantom 3 Professional User Manual .......................................................................

..................................................................................... Submitted separately due to size constraints

Exhibit 2: DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide...............................................................

..................................................................................... Submitted separately due to size constraints

Exhibit 3: DJI Phantom Pilot Training Guide............. Submitted separately due to size constraints

Exhibit 4: DJI Phantom 3 Intelligent Flight Battery Safety Guidelines ...........................................

..................................................................................... Submitted separately due to size constraints

Exhibit 5: DJI Phantom 3 Professional Overview ........................................................................ 16

Exhibit 6: DJI Phantom 3 Professional Features .......................................................................... 20

Exhibit 7: DJI Phantom 3 Professional Specifications................................................................. 30

Exhibits 1-4 have been uploaded to Regulations.gov separately due to size constraints.
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I. Publishable Summary

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. §11, the following summary is provided for publication in the 

Federal Register, should it be determined that publication is needed:

Petitioner seeks an exemption from the following rules: 

14 C.F.R 21(h); 14 C.F.R. 43.7; 14 C.F.R. 43.11; 14 C.F.R. 45.11; 14 C.F.R. 45.27; 14 C.F.R. 

45.29; 14 C.F.R. 91.7(a); 14 C.F.R. 91.9(b)(2); 14 C.F.R. 91.9(c); 14 C.F.R. 91.103(b)(2); 14 

C.F.R. 91.105; 14 C.F.R. 91.109; 14 C.F.R. 91.113(b); 14 C.F.R. 91.119 (c); 14 C.F.R. 91.121; 14 

C.F.R. 91.151(a); 14 C.F.R. 91.203(a) and (b); 14 C.F.R. 215; 14 C.F.R. 91.403; 14 C.F.R. 

91.405(a); 14 C.F.R. 91.407(a)(1); 14 C.F.R. 409(a)(1) and (2); and 14 C.F.R. 91.417(a) and (b) 

to operate commercially small unmanned aircraft systems (UAs) (2.8 lbs. (1.3 kg) or less).

Approval of the exemption requested by petitioner will allow commercial operation of the 

Phantom 3 Professional for the purposes of aerial photography and videography, including but not 

limited to real estate, cinematography, and search and rescue in Class G airspace nationwide, 

unless otherwise prescribed by an ATO-issued COA. The requested exemption should be granted 

because operation of a small UA weighing no more than 2.8 lbs. (1.3 kg), inclusive of battery and 

payload, conducted in the strict conditions outlined below, will provide an equivalent level of 

safety, while still allowing commercial operations. The lightweight aircraft covered by the 

exemption are far safer than conventional operations conducted with helicopters and fixed-wing 

aircraft weighing thousands of pounds and carrying large amounts of highly flammable fuel, and 

operating in close proximity to the ground and people. The seven factors Congress directed the 

FAA to consider when approving Section 333 exemption petitions - size, weight, speed, 

operational capability, proximity to airports, proximity to populated areas, and operation within 

visual line of sight – each support the request. In particular, the aircraft are small, and will operate 

at slow speeds, and close to the ground. The substantial increase of safety and decrease of risk to 

human life, coupled with the low risk use of UAs to conduct these operations, weigh heavily in 

favor of granting the exemption.

II. Petitioner’s Contact Information

David Butler

Aerial Media Services LLC

8344 Flowes Store Rd.

Concord, NC 28025

Counsel for Petitioner:

Jeffrey J. Antonelli

Antonelli Law

35 E Wacker Drive, Suite 1875

Chicago, IL 60601

Tel: 312-201-8310

Email: jeffrey@antonelli-law.com
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III. Proposed Operations

A. The UA

The requested exemption will permit petitioner to operate the Phantom 3 Professional. This

UA has been previously approved for commercial operation in, among others, the exemption 

grants identified in Section VII below.

The specific conditions of the proposed exemption that relate to the characteristics of the 

UA are numbers 1, 5, and 16-20 in Section V below. Each has been adopted or imposed by the 

FAA in numerous previous grants of Section 333 exemption petitions.

The Phantom 3 Professional have the ability to hover and move in the vertical and 

horizontal planes simultaneously. The UA will have the following specifications or equivalent:

Airframe DJI Phantom 3 Professional

Control System Phantom 3 OS. This includes the main controller (MC), 

which receives the battery voltage, capacity, and current, 

the internal measurement unit (IMU), which receives 

telemetry data, compass, and GPS.

Maximum Operating Speed 31 knots

Maximum Flight Time 23 minutes

Maximum Weight 2.8 lbs. (1.3 kg)

Transmitter 2.4 GHz DJI Phantom 3 Remote Control

Receiver Internal to UA

Motor DJI 2312 electric motors

Propellers Four 9 x 4” propellers

Data Link Enhanced DJI HD Lightbridge

Video Link Enhanced DJI HD Lightbridge

Batteries 6000 mAh LiPo 2S battery

Telemetric Display DJI GO App

Automatic Return to Home If Tx signal is lost for more than three seconds and the 

UA is under 65 ft. (20 m.) AGL, the UA will rise to 65 ft. 

AGL, travel horizontally to the predesignated home spot, 

then land. If the UA is above 65 ft. AGL, the UA will 

travel horizontally to the predesignated home spot, hover 

for 15 seconds, then land.
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B. The Crew

The crew will consist of a pilot in command (PIC) and a visual observer (VO). The PIC 

and VO will have been trained in operation of UAs generally and received up-to-date information 

on the UA to be operated pursuant to this grant. The PIC will have, at a minimum, a sport pilot 

license and either a third class medical certificate or a U.S. driver’s license.

The specific conditions of the proposed exemption that relate to the training and 

characteristics of the crew are numbers 3 and 6-9 in Section V below. Each has been adopted or 

imposed by the FAA in numerous previous grants of Section 333 exemption petitions.

For more information regarding the flight crew and training, please refer to Exhibit 3: DJI 

Phantom Pilot Training Guide.

C. Flight Conditions

The UA will be used for aerial photography and videography, including but not limited to 

real estate, cinematography, and search and rescue in Class G airspace (unless otherwise prescribed 

by an ATO-issued COA) under 400 feet above ground level (“AGL”) and under controlled 

conditions over restricted property. Petitioner will work with the local FSDO when planning 

operations. Petitioner will only operate the UA in visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The 

UA will at all times be no less than 500 feet below and no less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a 

cloud, and petitioner will not conduct operations unless visibility is at least 3 statute miles from 

the PIC. The flight crew will always make a safety assessment of the risk of every operation, and 

will only operate when it is determined that no hazards are present.

The specific conditions of the proposed exemption that relate to the flight conditions in 

which the UA will be operated are numbers 2, 4, 16, and 28-29 in Section V below. Each has been 

adopted or imposed by the FAA in numerous previous grants of Section 333 exemption petitions.

D. Flight Operations

The purpose of the UA flights for which exemption is requested will be for aerial 

photography and videography, including but not limited to real estate, cinematography, and search 

and rescue. Every UA flight will use at minimum a two person flight crew: a PIC and a VO. 

The specific conditions of the proposed exemption that relate to flight operations are 

numbers 11-12, 17-25, and 32-34 in Section V below. Each has been accepted or imposed by the 

FAA in numerous previous grants of Section 333 exemption petitions.

For more information regarding flight operations, please refer to the Aircraft and Flight 

sections of Exhibit 1: DJI Phantom 3 Professional User Manual.

IV. Aircraft and Equivalent Level of Safety

Petitioner proposes that the exemption apply to UAs that have the characteristics and that 

operate with the limitations proposed herein. These limitations provide for a level of safety at least 

equivalent to or higher than manned aircraft operations under the current regulatory structure. 
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Section V below identifies the limitations and conditions to which petitioner agrees to be bound 

when conducting commercial operations under a grant of this petition. Appendix A contains a 

matrix connecting (i) the specific proposed condition with (ii) the FAR provision for which it 

provides an equivalent level of safety and (iii) one or more recent Section 333 exemption grants 

in which the FAA recognized this equivalent level of safety.

Approval of the commercial operations outlined in this petition presents no national security 

issue. The PIC will possess, at minimum, a sport pilot’s certificate, and therefore he or she will 

have been subject to security screening by the Department of Homeland Security.

V. Proposed Conditions of the Exemption

1. The UA, including battery and technical payload, will weigh no more than approximately 2.8 

lbs. (1.3 kg).

2. UA operations under this exemption will be limited to conducting operations for the purposes 

of aerial photography and videography, including but not limited to real estate, 

cinematography, and search and rescue in Class G airspace nationwide, unless otherwise 

prescribed by an ATO-issued COA.

3. Flights will be operated within line of sight of a PIC and VO.

4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL, as indicated by the 

procedures specified in the operating documents. All altitudes reported to ATC must be in feet 

AGL.

5. The UA will not be flown at an indicated airspeed exceeding 31 knots. 

6. Minimum flight crew for each operation will consist of the UA PIC and a VO.

7. The PIC will possess at a minimum sport pilot license and either a third class medical certificate 

or a U.S. driver’s license.

8. The petitioner will not permit any PIC to operate the UA unless the PIC meets its qualification 

criteria and demonstrates the ability to safely operate the UA in a manner consistent with how 

the UA 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 will be logged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR 

§61.51(b). A record of the PIC training will be documented and made available upon request 

by the Administrator. Training operations will only be conducted during dedicated training 

sessions. During training, proficiency, and experience-building flights, all persons not essential 

for flight operations will be considered nonparticipants, and the PIC will operate the UA with 

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

9. The VO will not perform any other duties beyond assisting the PIC with seeing and avoiding 

other air traffic and other ground based obstacles/obstructions, and will not be permitted to 

operate the camera or other instruments.
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10. The PIC will be designated before the flight and will not be allowed to transfer his or her 

designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC will ensure that the VO can perform the 

functions prescribed in these conditions and the operating documents.

11. A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned UA operations prior to each day’s 

activities. It will be mandatory that all personnel who will be performing duties in connection 

with the operations be present for this briefing. 

12. Prior to each flight, the PIC will inspect the UA, including the Ground Control Station, to 

ensure it is in a condition for safe flight. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the 

safe operation of the UA, the PIC will not operate the UA until the necessary maintenance has 

been performed and the UA is found to be in a condition for safe flight. All maintenance and 

alterations will be properly documented in the aircraft records.

13. Petitioner will conduct a functional flight test on any UA that has undergone maintenance or 

alterations that affect the UA operation or flight characteristics, e.g. replacement of a flight 

critical component. The PIC who conducts the functional test flight will make an entry in the 

aircraft records. 

14. The petitioner will carry out its maintenance, inspections, and record keeping requirements, in 

accordance with the UA manufacturer’s aircraft/component, maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements set forth in the operating documents. 

Maintenance, inspection, alterations, and status of replacement/overhaul component parts will 

be noted in the aircraft records, including total time in service, description of work 

accomplished, and the signature of the authorized person returning the UA to service. The 

authorized person will make an entry in the aircraft record of the corrective action taken against 

discrepancies discovered between inspections.

15. The UA will be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. 

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

corrective lenses. PIC and VO will at all times be able to communicate verbally. They will not 

be permitted to use electronic messaging or texting to communicate during flight operations. 

16. The PIC will not begin a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there 

is enough power to fly at normal cruising speed to the intended landing point and prepare to 

land with at least 25% battery power remaining.

17. Actual total flight time for each operational flight will result in no less than a 25% battery 

reserve.

18. The UA will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unexpected obstacles or 

emergencies. 

19. The UA will be programmed so that if it loses communications or loses its GPS signal, it will 

return to a pre-determined location within the planned operating area and land or be recovered 

in accordance with the operating documents
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20. If the UA and its radio control link disconnect during flight, the system’s failsafe protection 

will be triggered and the multirotor will return to home and land automatically, rather than 

flying off uncontrollably or landing at an unknown location. 

21. The operating documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 will be maintained and 

available to the PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UA any time the UA is operating. 

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

upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in the exemption 

grant and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, the grant conditions and 

limitations will take precedence and will be followed. Otherwise, the petitioner will follow the 

procedures outlined in its operating documents. If it updates or revises its operating documents, 

it will present updated and revised documents to the Administrator upon request. If the 

petitioner determines that any update or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA 

granted the exemption, then the Petitioner will petition for an amendment to the grant of 

exemption. 

22. Petitioner will obtain written and/or oral permission from the landowners/authorized agents of 

the landowners over which flights will be conducted.

23. Petitioner will obtain all required permissions and permits from territorial, state, county or city 

jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate governmental 

agencies. 

24. UA operations will not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All operations 

will be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights will not be 

conducted under special visual flight rules (SVFR). 

25. The petitioner will obtain an Air Traffic Organization (ATO) issued Certificate of Waiver or 

Authorization (COA) prior to conducting any operations under the grant of exemption. 

Petitioner will request a Notice to Airman (NOTAM) not more than 72 hours in advance, but 

not less than 24 hours prior to the operation. All operations will be conducted in accordance 

with airspace requirements in the ATO issued COA, including class of airspace, altitude level 

and potential transponder requirements. 

26. The UA will not be operated within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point as denoted 

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

management has been obtained, and the operation is conducted in accordance with a NOTAM 

as required by the operator’s COA. Any letter of agreement with the airport management will 

be made available to the Administrator upon request. 

27. The UA will 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. 

28. All operations shall be conducted in Class G airspace or as otherwise prescribed in an ATO 

issued COA. 
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29. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption will 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 will be as large as practicable. 

30. Before conducting operations, petitioner will ensure that the radio frequency spectrum used 

for operation and control of the UA complies with the Federal Communications Commission 

(FCC) or other appropriate government oversight agency requirements. 

31. The UA will remain clear and yield the right of way to all manned aviation operations and 

activities at all times. 

32. The UA will not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

33. Petitioner will conduct all flight operations at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons, 

vessels, vehicles, and structures unless one of the following three conditions is met:

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

UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The petitioner will 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, the PIC 

will ensure that flight operations cease immediately.

b. The aircraft is operated near vessels, vehicles or structures where the owner/controller of 

such vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission 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.

c. Operations nearer to the PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons do not present an 

undue hazard to those persons per § 91.119(a).

34. Petitioner will report any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or 

vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA to the FAA's UAS 

Integration Office (AFS-80) within 24 hours. Petitioner will report accidents to the National 

Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: 

www.ntsb.gov. 

VI. Privacy

There is little concern that the proposed flights will cause invasions of privacy. All flights 

will occur over either (a) public rights of way where there is no expectation of privacy; or (b) over 

private property with permission of the landowner/authorized agent and consent of participating 

individuals.

If data collected is made available for public view, all images containing uninvolved 

persons will be blurred or blacked-out. No attempt will be made to identify any individuals filmed 

during the flights except in cases where they are trespassing upon or damaging customer property, 

or interfering with the petitioner’s or its customers’ operations.

VII. Public Interest and Safety

The planned UA use will increase ground safety for aerial photography and videography, 
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including but not limited to real estate, cinematography, and search and rescue. This type of data 

collection has previously been performed by manned aircraft or by individuals on the ground. Both 

are more time consuming and are more expensive than using UAs. Use of manned aircraft also 

poses enhanced risk to the pilot and onboard crew, who would be several hundred feet in the air. 

The enhanced safety and reduced environmental impact achieved using UAs and carrying 

no passengers or crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater mass, carrying crew 

in addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that the UA operation enabled by 

this exemption is in the public interest.

Satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act of 2012 – size, 

weight, speed, operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas and operation 

within visual line of sight and national security – provide more than adequate justification for the 

grant of the requested exemption allowing commercial operation of petitioner’s UA for aerial 

photography and videography, including but not limited to real estate, cinematography, and search 

and rescue pursuant to Aerial Media Services rules of operation.

The FAA has previously determined that using the Phantom 3 Professional for Mean Street 

Media’s requested commercial uses is in the public interest. The Phantom 3 Professional has been 

approved for commercial use in the following Exemption Nos.:

Exemption No. 11802;

Exemption No. 11823;

Exemption No. 11845;

Exemption No. 11850;

Exemption No. 11860;

Exemption No. 11900;

Exemption No. 11906;

Exemption No. 11908;

Exemption No. 11913; and 

Exemption No. 11961.
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VIII. Regulations from Which Exemption is Requested

Appendix A: FARs as to which Aerial Media Services wishes the same determination to be 

made as has been made previously.

FAR 

Provision

Applicable condition(s) in 

Section 5 of petition

FAA Exemption Decision

21(h) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 16, 25, 28, 29 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

43.7 13, 14 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

43.11 12 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

45.11 29 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

45.27 29 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

45.29 29 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.7(a) 12 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.9(b)(2) 22 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.9(c) 30 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.103(b)(2) 3, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662
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FAR 

Provision

Applicable condition(s) in 

Section 5 of petition

FAA Exemption Decision

91.105 6 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.109 7, 8 Nos. 11252, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 11945, 

12040, 12068, 12422, 12474, 13365, 13366, 13933, 

14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 14517, 14560, 14662

91.113(b) 3, 31 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.119(c ) 4, 33 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.121 4 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.151(a) 16, 17 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.203 (a) 

and (b)

22 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.215 25, 26 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196,

14517, 14560, 14662

91.403 12, 13, 14 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.405(a) 12, 13, 14 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.407(a)(1) 14 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662
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FAR 

Provision

Applicable condition(s) in 

Section 5 of petition

FAA Exemption Decision

91.409(a)(1) 12, 13, 14 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14560, 14662

91.409(a)(2) 12, 13, 14 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14662

91.417(a) 12, 13, 14 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14662

91.417(b) 12, 13, 14 Nos. 11252, 11396, 11467, 11745, 11797, 11905, 

11945, 12040, 12068, 12080, 12107, 12422, 12474, 

13365, 13366, 13933, 14026, 14194, 14195, 14196, 

14517, 14662
PHANTOM INSPIRE OSMO RONIN PRO SYSTEMS DEVELOPERS SUPPORT ENGLISH  STORE LOGIN | REGISTER

AIRCRAFT

Easy to fly

GPS-assisted hover

Automatic flight logs

Vision positioning system

CAMERA

4K video camera

12 megapixel photos

3-axis stabilization gimbal

REMOTE

Easy, intuitive controls

Integrated DJI Lightbridge

Customized Commands

GO APP

Live HD view

Easy video editor

Worry-free autopilot

Built-in flight simulator for practice

AIRCRAFT

Take to the sky and capture your world in

 beautiful 4K. The Phantom 3 is an easy to use,

 fully integrated package with an intelligent

 system that helps you fly.

LEARN MORE

PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL AIRCRAFT CAMERA REMOTE GO APP SPECS VIDEOS DOWNLOADS FAQ BUY NOW

16


17
BUY PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL

Let your creativity fly with a 4K camera in the sky.



ABOUT DJI

Who We Are

Events

Careers

Contact Us

NEWSROOM

News

Media Coverage

Altitude

Your Stories

WHERE TO BUY

DJI Online Store

Find a Store

Become a Dealer

COMMUNITY

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EDUCATION

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DJI University

DEVELOPER

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Github

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PHANTOM INSPIRE OSMO RONIN INDUSTRIAL PRO SYSTEMS DEVELOPERS SUPPORT  ENGLISH  STORE LOGIN | REGISTER

AIRCRAFT

Easy to fly

GPS-assisted hover

Automatic flight logs

Vision positioning system

CAMERA

4K video camera

12 megapixel photos

3-axis stabilization gimbal

REMOTE

Easy, intuitive controls

Integrated DJI Lightbridge

Customized Commands

GO APP

Live HD view

Easy video editor

Worry-free autopilot

Built-in flight simulator for practice

GO APP

Capture and share

 beautiful content by

 using the DJI GO

 app with most DJI

 products, Phantom 3

 series, Inspire series

 and Osmo. Built for

 universal

compatibility and

 upgraded usability,

 simply connect your

 device, launch the

 app, and go.

LEARN MORE

AIRCRAFT

Take to the sky and

 capture your world

 in beautiful 4K. The

 Phantom 3 is an easy

 to use, fully

 integrated package

 with an intelligent

 system that helps

 you fly.

LEARN MORE

PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL AIRCRAFT CAMERA REMOTE GO APP

19
EASY TO FLY

Your Phantom 3 fits into your life and makes flying

 remarkably intuitive and easy. From takeoff to landing,

 it's completely under your control, responding to your

 commands while automatically handling the most

 complex aspects of safe, stable flight.

GPS-ASSISTED HOVER

Never lose track of your Phantom 3. GPS and GLONASS combine to make the Phantom 3 completely aware of its

 location and relation to you. It hovers more precisely, moves more accurately, and locks onto satellites faster. With the

 new availability of GLONASS, a minimum of 36 satellites are available to you around the world at any time.

Through the DJI GO app, you can track its location on a live map, and record your takeoff point so you

can bring it back to you with the tap of a finger.

20
VISION POSITIONING SYSTEM

Your Phantom 3 literally helps you fly. It processes information from

 every sensor and completes complex calculations in real time, giving

 you a worry-free flight experience .

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT LOGS

21
Your Phantom 3 automatically logs and remembers the details of every flight you take. Complete flight route, flight time,

 flight distance, flight location, and cached versions of any photos and videos you took during your flight are at your

 fingertips for future reference. At the same time, an advanced flight recorder constantly records data from all of your

 Phantom 3’s internal mechanisms, which can be easily shared with the DJI support team if you ever have any questions

 or issues.

INTELLIGENT BATTERY

Higher voltage, more energy, and greater power combine to give you a

 vastly improved flight experience. This upgraded Intelligent Flight

 Battery has built-in sensors and bright LEDs that let you know the status

 and remaining power of your battery in real time. Your Phantom 3

 continuously calculates its current distance from you and the amount of

 power needed to return, so you always know how long you can

 continue flying and when it is time to recharge.

UNMATCHED PROPULSION

22
Each motor has the power and precision needed to give you the best

 flight experience possible. Brushless motors work with lightning-fast

 ESCs to make your Phantom 3 fast, agile, and responsive.

These powerful motors give you the ability to speed up, quickly increase

 or decrease altitude, and stop immediately. DJI’s powerful air braking

 mechanisms stop your Phantom 3 instantly , making it hover in place as

 soon as you release the control sticks. Aerodynamic self-tightening

 propellers boost thrust and stay firmly in place no matter how you fly.

INTELLIGENT, EASY TO FLY SYSTEM

Your Phantom 3 literally helps you fly. It processes information from every sensor and completes complex calculations in real time, giving you a worry-free flight experience .

Follows Your Commands Instantly Orders Your Phantom 3 To Stop And Hover In

23

 Place When You Release The Control Sticks
Allows Customized Control Settings To Fit

 Your Preferences

Enables Your Phantom 3 To Return To You 

Whenever Needed

MAIN CONTROLLER

Processing and analyzing flight data in real time takes serious power.

 The Main Controller is the control center of your Phantom 3. It collects

 data from the entire system, including motor speed, GPS location, your

 command inputs, and data from automatic sensors, and analyzes it all

 to tell your Phantom 3 exactly how to behave at any given moment.

24
IMU

INERTIAL

MEASUREMENT

UNIT

Keeping your Phantom 3 stable and flying the way you want it to is the Inertial Measurement Unit. Inside is a 6-axis

 gyroscope and an accelerometer that records and relays even the smallest changes in tilt and movement. It is constantly at

 work, detecting the slightest changes and compensating for them automatically.

ESCs

ELECTRONIC

SPEED

CONTROLLERS

Motor speed is critical to flight, and each motor is managed individually by the Electronic Speed Controllers. ESCs not only

 relay vital motor speed information to the Main Controller, they also send commands back to the motors based on your

 input. This constant communication keeps your Phantom stable in flight, and also helps you achieve any flight movement,

 from gentle pans to rapid acceleration.

RETURN TO HOME

Bringing your Phantom 3 back to you is as simple as pressing a button on the remote or within the Pilot app. Your system automatically remembers* the point at which it took off, and

 returns and lands safely at this point when you command it to Return to Home.

25
 *When a sufficient GPS connection is available.

SDK DEVELOPMENT

Have a new idea that requires a view from the sky?

Develop your own app by using the DJI Software Development Kit.

The Phantom 3 platform is fully open and allows you to program apps that:

26
BUY PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL

Let your creativity fly with a 4K camera in the sky.

CONTROL THE CAMERA

Take pictures, record video, and control

 camera tilt and settings, all based on your

 app’s needs.

ACCESS REAL-TIME FOOTAGE

Record and analyze your Phantom 3’s live HD

 video stream. Use this real-time visual

 information to make your app more powerful

 and useful.

GATHER FLIGHT DATA

Full flight telemetry, including the Phantom

 3’s live altitude, speed, distance, and more, is

 available to your app.

FOLLOW ME

Program your Phantom 3 to act as your own

 personal, flying film crew.

GROUND STATION

Set waypoints and assign automatic 

actions for your aircraft to follow.

POINT OF INTEREST

Select a location or object to focus on, and the

 Phantom 3 will continuously face it, no matter

 how you fly.

ABOUT DJI

Who We Are

NEWSROOM

News

WHERE TO BUY

DJI Online Store

COMMUNITY

SkyPixel

EDUCATION

Fly Safe

DEVELOPER

Forum

27
Events

Careers

Contact Us

Media Coverage

Altitude

Your Stories

Find a Store

Become a Dealer

DJI Forum

Showcase

DJI University Github

Copyright © 2015 DJI All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Terms of Use Site Map     

28
PHANTOM INSPIRE OSMO RONIN INDUSTRIAL PRO SYSTEMS DEVELOPERS SUPPORT  ENGLISH  STORE LOGIN | REGISTER

PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL SPECS

Home / Products / Phantom 3 Professional / Specs

AIRCRAFT

Easy to fly

GPS-assisted hover

Automatic flight logs

Vision positioning system

CAMERA

4K video camera

12 megapixel photos

3-axis stabilization gimbal

REMOTE

Easy, intuitive controls

Integrated DJI Lightbridge

Customized Commands

GO APP

Live HD view

Easy video editor

Worry-free autopilot

Built-in flight simulator for practice

GO APP

Capture and share

 beautiful content by

 using the DJI GO

 app with most DJI

 products, Phantom 3

 series, Inspire series

 and Osmo. Built for

 universal

compatibility and

 upgraded usability,

 simply connect your

 device, launch the

 app, and go.

LEARN MORE

PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL AIRCRAFT CAMERA REMOTE GO APP

29
AIRCRAFT

Weight (including battery and propellers) 1280 g

Diagonal size (including propellers) 590 mm

Max Ascent Speed 5 m/s

Max Descent Speed 3 m/s

Hover Accuracy Vertical: +/- 0.1 m (when Vision Positioning is active) or

 +/- 0.5 m

Horizontal: +/- 1.5 m

Max Speed 16 m/s (ATTI mode, no wind)

Max Service Ceiling Above Sea Level 6000 m (Default altitude limit: 120 m above takeoff point)

Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C

GPS Mode GPS/GLONASS

GIMBAL

Controllable Range Pitch -90° to +30°

Stabilization 3-axis (pitch, roll, yaw)

REMOTE CONTROLLER

Operating Frequency 2.400 GHz-2.483 GHz

Max Distance Up to 5 km or 3.1 miles (unobstructed, free of interference)

 when FCC compliant

Up to 3.5 km or 2.1 miles (unobstructed, free of interference)

 when CE compliant

Video Output Port USB

Operating Temperature 0°C- 40°C

Battery 6000 mAh LiPo 2S

Mobile Device Holder For tablet or phone

Receiver Sensitivity (1%PER) -101 dBm ±2 dBm

Transmitter Power (EIRP) FCC: 20 dBm

CE: 16 dBm

Working Voltage 1.2 A @7.4 V

CAMERA

Sensor Sony EXMOR 1/2.3” Effective pixels: 12.4 M (total pixels: 12.76

 M)

Lens FOV 94° 20 mm (35 mm format equivalent) f/2.8, focus at ∞

ISO Range 100-3200 (video) 100-1600 (photo)

Shutter Speed 8s -1/8000s

Image Max Size 4000 x 3000

Still Photography Modes Single Shot

Burst Shooting: 3/5/7 shots

Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5

Bracketed Frames at 0.7EV Bias

Time-lapse

Video Recording Modes Phantom 3 Professional

UHD: 4096x2160p 24/25, 3840x2160p 24/25/30

FHD: 1920x1080p 24/25/30/48/50/60

HD: 1280x720p 24/25/30/48/50/60

Supported SD Card Types Micro SD

Max capacity: 64 GB. Class 10 or UHS-1 rating required

Max Bitrate of Video Storage Phantom 3 Professional

60 Mbps

Supported File Formats FAT32/exFAT

Photo: JPEG, DNG

Video: MP4, MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)

Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C

VISION POSITIONING

Max Velocity Less than 8 m/s (when 2 m above ground)

Altitude Range 50 cm-300 cm

Operating Range 50 cm-300 cm

Operating Environment Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (Lux > 15)

BATTERY CHARGER

Voltage 17.4 V

30
INTELLIGENT FLIGHT BATTERY

Capacity 4480 mAh

Voltage 15.2 V

Battery Type LiPo 4S

Energy 68 Wh

Net Weight 365 g

Max Flight Time Approximately 23 minutes

Operating Temperature -10°C to 40°C

Max Charging Power 100 W

Rated Power Phantom 3 Professional

100 W

APP / LIVE VIEW

Mobile App DJI GO

EIRP 100mW

Power Spectral Density 6.9mW/MHz

Live View Working Frequency 2.4GHz ISM

Live View Quality 720P @ 30fps (depending on conditions and mobile device)

Latency 220ms (depending on conditions and mobile device)

Required Operating Systems iOS 8.0 or later

Android 4.1.2 or later

Recommended Devices iOS: iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad Air

 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular,

 iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 3, and

 iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular. This app is optimized for

 iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.

Android: Samsung tabs 705c, Samsung S6, Samsung S5,

 Samsung NOTE4, Samsung NOTE3, Google Nexus 9,

 Google Nexus 7 II, Ascend Mate7, Huawei P8 Max, Nubia

 Z7 mini, Sony Xperia Z3, MI 3, MI PAD, Smartisan T1.

*Support for additional Android devices available as testing

 and development continues.

PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL VIDEOS

Home / Products / Phantom 3 Professional / Videos

31
VIDEO TUTORIALS

DJI - Phantom 3 Tutorial - Unboxing Part 1

2015-05-21



DJI - Phantom 3 Tutorial - Unboxing Part

 2

2015-05-21



DJI - Phantom 3 Tutorial - Pre-flight

 Checklist

2015-05-21



SHOWCASE

DJI - Introducing the Phantom 3

2015-04-08



DJI Phantom 3 - “A New Perspective”

2015-04-08



DJI Phantom 3 - "To Not Yield"

2015-04-08



32
LOAD MORE

PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL DOWNLOADS

Home / Products / Phantom 3 Professional / Downloads

FIRMWARE

Phantom 3 Professional Firmware v1.6.0040

2015-12-22

ZIP

Phantom 3 Professional Firmware v1.5.0030

2015-11-25

ZIP

Phantom 3 Professional Firmware v1.4.0010

2015-09-07

ZIP

Phantom 3 Professional Firmware v1.3.20

2015-08-04

ZIP

How to Update the Firmware v1.4

2015-10-22

ZIP PDF

DJI GO APP

iOS Version v2.4.3. Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air,

 iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad

 mini 3, and iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular. This app is optimized for iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. 

Android Version v2.4.3. Requires Android 4.1.2 or later. Compatible with Samsung tabs 705c, Samsung S6,

 Samsung S5, Samsung NOTE4, Samsung NOTE3, Google Nexus 9, Google Nexus 7 II, Ascend Mate7,

 Huawei P8 Max, Nubia Z7 mini, Sony Xperia Z3, MI 3, MI PAD, Smartisan T1.

*Support for additional Android devices available as testing and development continues.

DOCUMENTS & MANUALS

Phantom 3 Professional Release Note

2015-12-24

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide (EN) v1.2

2015-12-14

ZIP PDF

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

Inspire 1/ Phantom 3/ X5 LOG mode Transcoding

 Tool v1.0.0

2015-12-07

ZIP EXE

33
Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide (JP) v1.2

2015-12-14

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide (DE) v1.2

2015-12-14

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide (FR) v1.2

2015-12-14

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide (IT) v1.2

2015-12-14

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide (KR) v1.2

2015-12-14

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide (PT) v1.2

2015-12-14

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide (RU) v1.2

2015-12-14

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide (ES) v1.2

2015-12-14

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual (EN) v1.6

2015-11-03

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual (JP) v1.2

2015-06-11

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual (DE) v1.0

2015-09-08

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual (FR) v1.0

2015-11-12

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional In the Box (EN)

2015-09-01

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Professional In the Box (JP)

2015-09-01

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Intelligent Flight Battery Safety

 Guidelines v1.0 (EN)

2015-12-01

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Intelligent Flight Battery Safety

 Guidelines v1.0 (JP)

2015-09-01

ZIP PDF

Charging Hub for Phantom 3 Intelligent Flight

 Batteries v1.0

2015-09-01

ZIP PDF

Phantom 3 Prop Guards Installation Guide

2015-12-17

ZIP PDF

Inspire 1/ Phantom 3/ X5 LOG mode Transcoding

 Tool v0.9.2

2015-10-20

ZIP EXE

DJI DNG Cleaner v1.1

2015-04-10

ZIP EXE

Inspire 1/Phantom 3/ X5 Transcoding Tool v0.9.2

2015-10-20

DMG

DJI DNG Cleaner v1.1

2015-04-10

DMG

34
* Disclaimer of Warranties:

SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. provides the firmware “as is” and “as available” for your use, without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including all implied warranties of merchantability, and fitness for a particular

 purpose. You expressly agree that your use of, or inability to use the firmware is at your sole risk. In no case shall SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages

 arising from your use of any of the firmware, including but not limited to, any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of your misuse, transmitted, etc.

Phantom 3 Safety Guidelines and Disclaimer

2015-09-22

ZIP PDF

PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL FAQ

Home / Products / Phantom 3 Professional / FAQ

FAQ

What is the difference between the Phantom 3 Professional and the Phantom 3 Advanced?

Can I remove the camera and attach my own?

Can I charge my Remote Controller and Intelligent Flight Battery at the same time?

What are the buttons on the back of my Remote Controller for?

How far can I fly my Phantom 3?

35
What app should I use with my Phantom 3?

Which mobile devices are compatible with the app?

How do I use the Director automatic video editor?

How do I customize the sticks on my remote controller (change the control mode) for my Phantom 3?

Can I use a Phantom 2 Remote Controller with the Phantom 3?

Can I use a Phantom 2 Intelligent Flight Battery with the Phantom 3?

My Phantom 3 does not turn off right away, is something wrong?

Do I have to buy the Remote Controller separately?

Does my Phantom 3 support dual Remote Controllers?

What does the “P, A, F” switch on the Remote Controller do?

What is the Phantom 3 flight time?

How can I restore a video file if the power is turned off during recording?

How can I ensure that my pictures and videos will be synchronized to my iOS album?

36
BUY PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL

Let your creativity fly with a 4K camera in the sky.

What should I do to land my Phantom 3 smoothly as possible?

Why is the discharge time of the battery not zero, even though I have never used it?

Can the mobile device holder be used on the Phantom 2 series Remote Controller?

ABOUT DJI

Who We Are

Events

Careers

Contact Us

NEWSROOM

News

Media Coverage

Altitude

Your Stories

WHERE TO BUY

DJI Online Store

Find a Store

Become a Dealer

COMMUNITY

SkyPixel

DJI Forum

Showcase

EDUCATION

Fly Safe

DJI University

Geo System

DEVELOPER

Forum

Github

Copyright © 2015 DJI All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Terms of Use Site Map     

37