Quick Reading
- DJI approved two models of its Mavic Air 2 drone
- One model has AirSense ADS-B technology (which identifies manned aircraft) and another comes without this functionality
- The Brazilian model is without the technology
- The company said that this was due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which limited the manufacture of sensors
- In order not to postpone the launch of the drone, the company opted to offer models with ADS-B only for the North American market
- In other markets, such as in Brazil, this measure is optional for aircraft, making the technology less useful
DJI had already made a statement saying that all drones, over 250 grams, manufactured in 2020, would have the technology AirSense ADS-B. This functionality detects other aircraft, such as airplanes and helicopters and informs the user of their presence, as long as they also carry these sensors. Thus, flights are safer, decreasing the possibility of collision accidents between a drone and a manned aircraft. Despite this, the company approved two models of the Mavic Air 2 (which is over 250g), one version without ADS-B and the other with.
The first batch of Mavic Air 2 will not be the same for everyone. The company selected only North America to receive the drone with AirSense ADS-B. This disregards the announcement made by the company itself, which stated that all models would have the technology. DJI explains – in a footnote, in very small letters -, in its press release, the reason for the decision.
"Due to supply chain shortages related to the coronavirus pandemic, Mavic Air 2 units equipped with the AirSense ADS-B will initially be available only in North America. A version of the Mavic Air 2 will be available outside North America without ADS- B. The two models are identical in all other aspects, such as flight and image performance. " – DJI press release
"Due to supply chain shortages related to the coronavirus pandemic, Mavic Air 2 units equipped with the AirSense ADS-B will initially be available only in North America. A version of the Mavic Air 2 will be available outside North America without ADS- B. The two models are identical in all other aspects, such as flight and image performance. " – DJI press release
The company explained that the intention was for all drones to be equipped with ADS-B. Despite this, production was interrupted due to Covid-19 pandemic. This forced the company to take action. One possibility was postpone the launch of the drone and, another option, was to present two models.
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The company opted for the second option. As mentioned by DJI, all other aspects are identical. The only change made between the models sold is the presence, or absence of ADS-B.
The choice to offer the technology only to North America, was made by the implemented laws in those countries. The regulation for aircraft in the USA is extremely strict and requires a series of extra security measures, which are optional in other countries.
For ADS-B to work, aircraft must be equipped with the system. Thus, the resource is able to identify them. Otherwise, there is no way the drone will have the information, making the functionality without much use. That's what happens in Brazil. Not all airplanes and helicopters have the system. This would make the feature useful in many cases, but it would not be 100% functional.
For this reason, DJI decided to withdraw the resource for these markets, maintaining for North America, where all aircraft are required to use the system. Like this, the AirSense ADS-B aimed at markets that it is really effective. While the countries that the resource would not be fully effective, wait for the next models.
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