August 18, 2015 

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 of 2012 and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation 

Regulations 

To whom it may concern; 

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

requests exemption from the Federal Aviation Regulations to allow for commercial UAS operations of a 

DJI Phantom 3 Professional, for the purpose of aerial photography, real estate marketing, surveying, and 

other flight operations that could be performed safely and more cost effectively than a traditional manned 

aircraft. 

Applicant:

Tyler Wood 

(214) 909-9202

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. 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 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)(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 UAS and its 

operation, Applicant 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 nor 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)

Since the UAS will not carry a pilot or passengers, Applicant requests a relief from these regulations. Any 

pilot in command or (PIC) operating the UAS will hold a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a state, the 

District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government. A visual observer 

or (VO) will be utilized and required to actively communicate at all times. The UAS will be limited to 

operations within visual sight of both the PIC and VO. The risks associated with the use of a UAS are far 

less than that of similar commercial aircraft operations. 

14 CFR 91.7 (a)

Since the UAS will not carry any passenger nor pilot, there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for 

the aircraft, should this exemption be granted. 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 

provided. 

14 CFR 91.9 (b)(2)

Given the size and configuration, the UAS has no ability to carry a flight manual on the aircraft. 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 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 remote control system 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 nor passengers. 

14 CFR 91.119 (c)

The UAS will never be operated at an altitude higher than 400 feet AGL. The UAS will operate in safe 

areas 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, 

and the ability to confirm 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 UAS 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 25 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 UAS will not be operated within 3 miles of an airport unless prior contact to Air Traffic Control 

has been established. 

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

3. UAS operations will not be conducted during night. 

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

5. The UAS will utilize an internal flight safety feature that will return to a preprogrammed position in 

any instance or communication disruption.

6. Preflight inspections and protocol will be followed prior to all operations. 

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

Public Interest 

Applicant believes the use of a UAS as a substitute to traditional aircraft photography has a significant 

safety and environmental impact compared to similar operations conducted with a manned aircraft 

carrying a crew and flammable fuel. 

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

marketing and service. The quality and creativity of UAS footage is equivalent if not higher than that of 

traditional methods.

PHANTOM 3

V1.2

2015.07

User Manual

PROFESSIONAL
2 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Using this manual

Legends

Warning Important Hints and Tips Reference

Read Before the First Flight

Read the following documents before using the Phantom 3 Professional:

1. In the Box

2. Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

3. Phantom 3 Professional Quick Start Guide

4. Phantom 3 Professional / Advanced Safety Guidelines and Disclaimer

5. Phantom 3 Professional / 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.

Video Tutorials

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 the DJI Pilot app 

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 DJI Pilot app is compatible with Android 4.1.2 or later. 

The iOS version of the DJI Pilot app is compatible with iOS 8.0 or later.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 3

Contents

Using this manual

 Legends 2

 Read Before the First Flight 2

 Video Tutorials 2

 Download the DJI Pilot app 2

Product Profile

 Introduction 6

 Feature Highlights 6

 Preparing the Aircraft 7

 Aircraft Diagram 8

 Remote Controller Diagram 8

Aircraft

 Flight Controller 11

 Flight Mode 11

 Flight Status Indicator 11

 Return-to-Home (RTH) 12

 Smart RTH 12

 Low Battery RTH 13

 Failsafe RTH 14

 Vision Positioning System 14

 Flight Recorder 16

 Attaching and Detaching the Propellers 16

 DJI Intelligent Flight Battery 17

Remote Controller

		 Remote Controller Profile	 23

 Using the Remote Controller 23

 Remote Controller Status LED 27

 Linking the Remote Controller 28

 Remote Controller Compliance Version 29
4 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Camera and Gimbal 

		 Camera Profile	 31

 Gimbal 32

DJI Pilot App

 Camera 35

 Director 38

 Store 38

 Discovery 38

Flight

 Flight Environment Requirements 40

 Flight Limits 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	 54

 Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) 56

 FCC Compliance 57
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 5

Product Profile

This section introduces the Phantom 3 

Professional and lists the components of 

the aircraft and remote controller.
6 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Product Profile

Product Profile

Introduction

The Phantom 3 Professional represents the next generation of DJI 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.

Feature Highlights

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 Intelligent Flight Battery: The 4480 mAh DJI Intelligent Flight 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.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 7

Product Profile

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Preparing the Aircraft

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.

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.

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

1

3

2
8 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Product Profile

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Aircraft Diagram

Remote Controller Diagram

[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).

[1]

[2]

[4]

[5] [6]

[7]

[8]

[3]

[1] GPS

[2] Propeller 

[3] Motor

[4] Front LED Indicator

[5] Landing gear

[6] Gimbal and Camera

[7] Camera Status Indicator

[8] Aircraft Micro-USB Port

[9] Aircraft Status Indicator

[10] Intelligent Flight Battery

[11] Vision Positioning Sensors

[12] Antennas

[13] Camera Micro-SD Card Slot

[14] Camera Micro-USB Port

[15] Link Button

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[9]

[12]

[10]

[11]

4K

[13]

[15] [14]

[6]

[8]

[7]
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 9

Product Profile

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

[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 

RTH status. 

[17]

[19]

[18]

[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 

Pilot app. )

[10] Playback Button 

Playback the captured images or videos.

(Only functions when the remote controller is 

connected to a mobile device running the DJI 

Pilot app.)

[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.

[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.

[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. 

[10]

[11]

[15] [16]

[9]

[12]

[13]

[14]
10 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Aircraft

This section introduces the features of 

the Flight Controller, Vision Positioning 

System, and the Intelligent Flight Battery
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 11

Aircraft

Flight Status Indicator 

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

are shown in the figure below:

The Front LEDs show the orientation of the aircraft. The Front LEDs 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:

Aircraft

Flight Controller 

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.

Flight Mode

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-ATTI: 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. 

Front LED

Aircraft Status Indicator
12 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Aircraft

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Aircraft Status Indicator Description

Normal

 Red, Green and Yellow Flash 

Alternatively Turning On and Self Diagnostic Testing

 Green and Yellow Flash Alternatively Warming Up

 Green Flashes Slowly Safe to Fly (P-mode with GPS and Vision 

Positioning)

X2 Green Flashes Twice Safe to Fly (P-mode with Vision Positioning but 

without GPS)

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

Positioning)

Warning

 Fast Yellow Flashing Remote Controller's Signal Lost

 Slow Red Flashing Low Battery Warning

 Fast Red Flashing Critical Battery Warning

 Red Flashing Alternatively IMU Error 

— Solid Red Critical Error 

 Red and Yellow Flash Alternatively Compass Calibration Required

Return-to-Home (RTH)

The Return-to-Home (RTH) function brings the aircraft back to the last recorded Home 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 Description

Home Point

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

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

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

indicator will blink rapidly when the home point is recorded.

Smart RTH

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 Home 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.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 13

Aircraft

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Battery Level 

Warning Remark Aircraft Status Indicator DJI Pilot app Flight Instructions

Low battery 

level warning

The battery 

power is low. 

Please land the 

aircraft.

Aircraft status 

indicator blinks 

RED slowly.

Tap “Go-home” to have the 

aircraft return to the Home 

point and land automatically, 

or “Cancel” to resume normal 

flight. If no action is taken, 

the aircraft will automatically 

go home and land after 10 

seconds. Remote controller 

will sound an alarm.

Fly the aircraft 

back and land 

it as soon as 

possible, then 

stop the motors 

and replace the 

battery. 

Critical Low 

battery level 

warning

The aircraft 

must land 

immediately.

Aircraft status 

indicator blinks 

RED quickly.

The DJI Pilot app display will 

flash red and the aircraft will 

start to descend. The remote 

controller will sound an alarm.

Allow the aircraft to 

descend and land 

automatically.

Estimated 

remaining 

flight time

Estimated 

remaining flight 

based on current 

battery level.

N/A N/A N/A

Low Battery RTH 

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 Home 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:

Battery level Indicator

Critical Low battery level 

warning(Red)

Low battery 

level warning(Yellow)

Sufficient battery 

level(Green)

Remaining flight time

Power requires 

to return home
14 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Aircraft

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Failsafe RTH

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-Home process may be interrupted and the operator may regain control of the aircraft if the remote 

controller signal connection is re-established.

Failsafe Illustration 

 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.

Height over HP<=20m

Vision Positioning System

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.

 5 RTH (adjustable altitude)

Fast Blinking Yellow

 1 Record Home Point 

 Blinking Green

 3 Remote Controller Signal Lost

Fast Blinking Yellow

 2 Confirming Home Point

Blinking Green

 6 Landing (after hovering for 5 secs)

Fast Blinking Yellow

 4 Signal Lost Lasts (after 3 sec.)

Fast Blinking Yellow

Height over HP>20m

Elevate to 20m 20m

>3S

×

×

× ×

 Aircraft cannot return to the Home Point when GPS signal is weak ( [ ] displays grey) or 

unavailable.

 Aircraft automatically descends and lands if RTH is triggered when the aircraft flies within a 20 

meters (65 feet) radius of the Home Point. Aircraft will stop ascending and immediately return to 

the Home Point if you move the throttle stick if the aircraft reaches 20 meters (65 feet) altitudes 

or beyond during Failsafe.

 The aircraft cannot avoid obstruction during the Failsafe RTH, therefore, it is important to set a 

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. 

 User cannot control the aircraft while the aircraft is ascending to its failsafe altitude. However 

the user can press Smart RTH button to regain control to cancel the ascending.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 15

Aircraft

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.

[1]

[2]

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 

suboptimal 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. 

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

Flying over water or transparent surfaces.

Flying 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.

Follow the steps below to use Vision Positioning:

1. Toggle the flight mode switch to P-mode.

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.
16 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Aircraft

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Flight Recorder 

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. 

Attaching and Detaching the Propellers 

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 Silver Dot Black Dot

Figure

Attach On Motors with a grey axes Motors with a black axes

Legends Lock : Turn the propellers in the indicated direction to mount and tighten.

 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 counter-clockwise to secure them in place. Be sure to tighten each propeller by hand 

before flight. 

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..

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.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 17

Aircraft

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 NOT touch propellers or motors when they are spinning.

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

DJI Intelligent Flight Battery

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 

by DJI.

Intelligent Flight Battery

Charger

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

"Charging the Intelligent Flight Battery" for more information.

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

DJI Intelligent 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 Pilot 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 0°C (32°F) and 

40°C (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.
18 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Aircraft

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Using the Battery 

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 (< -10°C) environments. 

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

between -10°C 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 (0°C ~ 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.

LED1

LED2

Battery Level Indicators

LED3

LED4

Power Button (Bulit-in LED)

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 Flight Battery Safety Guidelines before 

use. Users take full responsibility for all operations and usage.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 19

Aircraft

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

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

discharging. The indicators are defined below.

: LED is on. : LED is flashing.

 : LED is off.

Battery Level 

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Battery Level

87.5%~100%

75%~87.5%

62.5%~75%

 50%~62.5%

 37.5%~50%

 25%~37.5%

 12.5%~25%

 0%~12.5%

 =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

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Battery Life

90%~100%

80%~90%

70%~80%

60%~70%

50%~60%

40%~50%

30%~40%

20%~30%

below 20%

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

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

listed under the battery tab.
20 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Aircraft

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Intelligent Flight Battery Charger Power Outlet

Battery Level Indicators While Charging

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Battery Level

0%~25%

25%~50%

50%~75%

75%~100%

 Fully Charged

Battery Protection LED Display

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

LED2 blinks twice per second Over current detected

LED2 blinks three times per second Short circuit detected

LED3 blinks twice per second Over charge detected

LED3 blinks three times per second Over-voltage charger detected

LED4 blinks twice per second Charging temperature is too low

LED4 blinks three times per second Charging temperature is too high 

Charging the Intelligent Flight Battery

1. Connect the Battery Charger to a power source (100-240 V 50/60 Hz).

2. Open the Protection Cap and connect the Intelligent Flight 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.

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 remove a battery when it is turned on.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 21

Aircraft

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

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

Intelligent Flight 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 room 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 Flight Battery into the Phantom 3 Professional’s Battery Compartment 

and turn 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.
22 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Remote Controller

This section describes the features 

of the remote controller and includes 

instructions for controlling the aircraft 

and the camera.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 23

Remote Controller

Remote Controller

Remote Controller Profile

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.

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.

Using the Remote Controller

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 LEDs 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 LEDs 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 LEDs 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.
24 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Remote Controller

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Charger

Power Outlet

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

Turn 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. 

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 25

Remote Controller

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

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.

Remote Controller

(Mode 2)

Aircraft 

( Indicates Nose Direction) Remarks 

Moving the left stick up and down changes the 

aircraft’s elevation.

Push the stick up to ascend and down to descend. 

When both sticks are centered, the Phantom 3 

Professional will hover in place.

The more the stick is pushed away from the center 

position, the faster the Phantom 3 Professional will 

change elevation. Always push the stick gently 

to prevent sudden and unexpected elevation 

changes.

Moving the left stick to the left or right controls the 

rudder and rotation of the aircraft.

Push the sick left to rotate the aircraft counterclockwise, push the stick right to rotate the aircraft 

clockwise. If the stick is centered, the Phantom 3 

Professional will maintain its current orientation.

The more the stick is pushed away from the center 

position, the faster the Phantom 3 Professional will 

rotate.

Moving the right stick up and down changes the 

aircraft’s forward and backward pitch. 

Push the stick up to fly forward and down to fly 

backward. Phantom 3 Professional will hover in 

place if the stick is centered.

Push the stick further away from the center position for 

a larger pitch angle (maximum 30 ̊) and faster flight.

Moving the right stick control left and right changes 

the aircraft’s left and right pitch. 

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

Phantom 3 Professional will hover in place if the 

stick is centered. 

Gimbal Dial: Turn the dial to the right, and the 

camera will shift to point upwards. Turn the 

dial to the left, and the camera will shift to point 

downwards. The camera will remain in its current 

position when dial is static. 
26 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Remote Controller

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Position Figure Flight Mode

Position 1 F-mode

Position 2 A-mode 

Position 3 P-mode

Flight Mode Switch

Toggle the switch to select the desired flight mode. 

You may choose between; P-mode, F-mode and Amode. Position 1 

Position 2 

Position 3 

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 DJI Pilot 

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

RTH Button 

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.

Adjusting Controller Sticks

Hold and twist the controller sticks clockwise or counter clockwise to adjust 

the length of the controller sticks. A proper length of controller sticks can 

improve the controlling accuracy.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 27

Remote Controller

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 controller 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 controller is most reliable within the area that 

is depicted in the image below:

Optimal Transmission Range

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.

Remote Controller Status LED

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

strong weak
28 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Remote Controller

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Status LED Alarm Remote Controller Status 

— Solid Red Chime The remote controller is disconnected from the aircraft. 

— Solid Green Chime The remote controller is connected to the aircraft. 

 Slow Blinking Red D-D-D...... Remote controller error. 

/

Red and Green/ Red and 

Yellow Alternate Blinks 

None HD downlink is disrupted. 

RTH LED Sound Remote Controller Status

— Solid White Chime Aircraft is returning home.

 Blinking White D . . . Sending Return-to-Home command to the aircraft.

 Blinking White DD .. .. .. Return-to-Home procedure in progress.

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

Linking the Remote Controller

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 DJI Pilot app.

2. Turn on the Intelligent Flight Battery.

3. Enter “Camera” and tap on and then tap “Linking RC” button as shown below. 

RC Control Setting

RC Calibration

Stick Mode

C1 Not Defined C2 Not Defined

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.

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

of the RC.

Linking RC
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 29

Remote Controller

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

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

same aircraft.

Remote Controller Compliance Version 

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

Link Button

RC Control Setting

RC Calibration

Stick Mode

C1 Not Defined C2 Not Defined

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.

You can customize the C1 and C2 buttons on the back 

of the RC.

Linking RC

Searching for aircraft frequency, 

timeout in 54 seconds

Cancel

Press the linking button on the aircraft 

to link this remote controller

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.

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

emitted.