Information to help you operate Unmanned Aircraft (UA/drones) safely.
The intention of safety notices is to encourage the swift spread of safety information.
UA operators are encouraged to report issues and occurrences quickly so we can identify trends or emerging risks that may help others stay safe too.
27 June 2025
DJI has rated the new DJI Matrice 400 (M400) with a maximum take-off weight of 15.8 kg.
In New Zealand, Civil Aviation Rule 101.215 Aircraft mass limits stipulates additional requirements for unmanned aircraft that are operated with a mass between 15 kg and 25 kg.
(a) A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft, a control line model aircraft or a free flight model aircraft with a gross mass of more than 25 kg.
(b) A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft with a gross mass of between 15 kg and 25 kg unless the aircraft, and any modification made to it, is—
(1) constructed under the authority of, or inspected and approved by, an approved person or organisation defined in rule 101.202; and
(2) operated under the authority of an approved person or organisation (see rule 101.202).
If you intend to operate an M400 with a payload that takes the craft over 15 kg then the requirements of CAR 101.215 must be met.
Discussion with suppliers of these craft suggests many popular payload combinations that will be available for the M400 will not trigger the additional CAR 101.215 requirements. If your intention is to only operate your M400 with a maximum all up take-off weight that does not exceed 15 kg, then these additional CAR 101.215 rule requirements will not apply.
It is the OPERATOR'S responsibility to check their operational weight and take appropriate action to meet 101.215.
If you intend to purchase an M400 craft and exceed the 15 kg mass limit, please contact the CAA Unmanned Aircraft team for guidance, or talk to your aircraft supplier for options on meeting the rule requirements before you operate!
For operators applying to use the M400 under CAR Part 102, the process for this craft is the same as the addition of any other aircraft you intend to operate, the payload use case will need to be assessed by the CAA Unmanned Aircraft team either during the initial issue application or as a separate amendment application. You will need to include the relevant information about the new M400 craft in your application and supporting documentation. Once assessed, approval to operate the M400 will be added to your Part 102 Certificate’s Operations Specification document.
For further information please contact the Unmanned Aircraft team by emailing us at certification@caa.govt.nz.
27 May 2025
XAG has identified a critical issue affecting P100 Pro aircraft operating on Flight Controller firmware version 1.167.0.85. Specifically, this version may cause the aircraft to deviate from its planned course and potentially breach boundary safety limits during operation.
To ensure operational safety and compliance, all users who have upgraded to version 1.167.0.85 must immediately downgrade to the stable version 1.166.0.82. This downgrade process can be completed directly via the XAG One App using simple steps below:
Confirm that the Flight Controller version displayed is 1.166.0.82.
A manufacturing defect has been noted in DJI T50 and FC30 aircraft, the defect type is delamination of the outer carbon layers of the tubular arm at the junction of the arm and the injection-moulded ESC/motor mounts.
DJI Agras T50 and FlyCart 30 share identical parts and the defective arms are common to both aircraft types. This defect is not present on all arms manufactured. The defect does not immediately affect the airworthiness of the craft but may do over time if the delamination propagates.
Risk mitigation for the defect will require ongoing inspections, where the defect is present. Any inspections should also include photographs of the affected area, allowing maintenance personnel to track any potential worsening of the delamination. These photos shall be included in the maintenance log for the aircraft for future reference and comparison. This detailed visual inspection should be done as part of the 6 monthly inspection. Initial Airworthiness Inspection, carried out by CAA approved organisations, will identify aircraft with the defect and initiate the documentation and inspection procedure.
From 20 December 2024, the CAA will require the above to be formally included in DJI Agras T50 and DJI FlyCart 30 6 monthly inspection intervals. The 102 Team is continuing to research and monitor this design in New Zealand and internationally.
At this time this is a precautionary requirement, based on SME knowledge of UA design, on a craft type with low fleet operating hours in New Zealand. The CAA will continue to share information with the sector and operators as it comes to light. To do this, we need our sector to be vigilant and responsive. Please report any concerns or occurrences related to this design to the CAA promptly, using the 005 process.
For any further information on this matter please contact the Part 102 team by phone or via certification@caa.govt.nz.
CAN DJI Agras T50 and DJI FlyCart 30 – Tubular arm delamination [PDF 342 KB]
The L1 mode Lane Assist issue appears to have been fully resolved by the XAG firmware update issued on 22 May 2024. If you have any further failures while using Lane Assist, please report to CAA using the CA005 reporting process(external link)
28/03/2024 update: XAG are working on a firmware fix but it has not been released yet. The issue does appear to be associated only the L1 function, so operations using other functions can continue. Please do not use the L1 function until further notice.
We have become aware from an industry report that there is an issue with the use of the L1 lane assist function for XAG P100 and P100 Pro aircraft. The cause is suspected to be the firmware.
We advise all operators stop using the L1 lane assist function until further notice.
We hope to have more information with the next 24 hours and operators should liaise with their distributor about when it is safe to start using L1 mode again.
The CAA will look to update this webpage with developments, further actions and resolutions as we get information.
XAG P100 Pro maintenance programmes within 102 UAOC expositions already contain requirements for visual inspection of rotor bolt to motor housing contact points (‘B’ in image below). We now urge all operators to conduct detailed visual inspection of the propeller clamp to seesaw holder contact points as well, where there is also potential for cracking and fatigue. This will require the use of a flashlight or bright lighting (‘A’). This visual inspection should be done in the daily/pre flight and post flight inspections and during any periodic checks.
If any damage or cracking is seen, do not operate the craft and contact your maintenance provider about having it inspected and parts replaced if necessary.
From 01 February 2024, the CAA will require the above to be formally included in XAG P100 Pro maintenance programmes for 102 UAOCs. We strongly encourage all current XAG P100 Pro operators to follow this maintenance advice with immediate effect, and formally add this to their manuals at the next update. The 102 Team is continuing to research and monitor this design in New Zealand and internationally.
At this time this is a precautionary requirement, based on SME knowledge of UA design, on a craft type with low fleet operating hours in New Zealand. The CAA will continue to share information with the sector and operators as it comes to light. To do this, we need our sector to be vigilant and responsive. Please report any concerns or occurrences related to this design to the CAA promptly, using the 005 process.
For any further information on this matter please contact the Part 102 team by phone or via certification@caa.govt.nz.
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