DJI's Mavic 4 Pro launched to predictable fanfare — a 4/3" CMOS sensor, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, and a 46-minute flight time that actually holds up in UK weather (mostly). But the questions we see most aren't about image quality. They're about where you can legally fly it.
The weight issue
At 1,063g, the Mavic 4 Pro sits firmly in the C1 class under UK UAS Regulations. That means you need at minimum a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and you must fly in subcategory A1 or A2. Flying over uninvolved persons requires specific A2 subcategory permission — something the quick-start guide glosses over entirely.
AirSense — does it work?
ADS-B receive is built in. During our test period flying near Luton's approach corridor (from a legal vantage point), the drone correctly flagged inbound commercial traffic. The warning is visual only — there's no auto-return-to-home on airspace alerts, which remains a missed opportunity.
The verdict
Phenomenal camera. Class-leading flight time. The C1 class marking means the A2 Certificate of Competency is required to operate in subcategory A2 closer than 50m to uninvolved people. "The DJI app said it was OK" is not a legal defence.