Procedure for converting a C2/C5 drone: What you need to know

Many professional pilots are wondering how to convert their drone from class C2 to class C5, particularly to operate under the STS-01 scenario, which requires a drone equipped with a parachute system and a flight termination system (FTS). This conversion is made possible through the installation of a Dronavia conversion kit. Following the installation of a C2-to-C5 conversion kit, the main questions that arise are:

Once the drone has been converted and declared as C5, can it return to C2 simply by removing the parachute? This article guides you step by step to clarify these points.

SUMMARY

Once the drone has been converted and declared as C5, can it return to C2 simply by removing the parachute?

1.1 CASE A – DJI Matrice 3 / Mavic 4 / Matrice 4 – Internal Modification

1.2 CASE B – DJI Matrice 4D – No internal modification

1. Once the drone has been converted and declared as C5, can it return to C2 simply by removing the parachute?

1.1 CASE A – DJI Matrice 3 / Mavic 4 / Matrice 4 – Internal Modification

An internal modification of the drone is required. It is not possible to return to C2 simply by removing the parachute, as the internal flight termination system (FTS) remains installed and permanently alters the drone’s configuration.

1.2 CASE B – DJI Matrice 4D – No internal modification

No internal modification is required. It is possible to return to C2 by removing both the parachute and the internal flight termination system (FTS).

1.1 CASE A – DJI Matrice 3 / Mavic 4 / Matrice 4 – Internal Modification

1.1 NECESSARY INTERNAL MODIFICATION

DJI Mavic 3, Mavic 4 and Matrice 4 drones require a technical modification in order to be declared as C5 class. Here is what this involves.

To convert the drone to C5, an internal flight termination system (FTS) must be installed in a certified workshop, in addition to the Dronavia parachute system and its dedicated trigger remote. Once these components are added, the drone becomes a Kronos AD Mavic/Matrice X drone according to Dronavia’s designation.

Important: this results in a regulatory change of manufacturer. The drone is no longer recognised as a DJI aircraft but as a Dronavia Kronos AD drone.

CAN YOU RETURN TO C2 AFTER THE C5 CONVERSION?

It is not possible to return to C2 simply by removing the parachute: the internal Flight Termination System (FTS) remains installed and permanently alters the drone’s configuration.

To restore the aircraft to its original C2 state, the internal FTS would need to be completely removed, a technical operation that can only be performed in an approved workshop (Dronavia or its authorised partners).

Without this specialised intervention, the drone cannot be declared as C2 again.

1.2 CASE B – DJI Matrice 4D – No internal modification

1.2 NO INTERNAL MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED

The DJI Matrice 4D does not require any technical workshop modification to be declared as C5 class. The parachute and Flight Termination System (FTS) conversion kit can be easily installed and removed by the user. When the kit is installed, the drone becomes a Kronos AD Mavic/Matrice X drone according to Dronavia’s designation.

Important: this results in a regulatory change of manufacturer. When the kit is installed, the drone is no longer recognised as a DJI aircraft but as a Dronavia Kronos AD drone.

CAN YOU RETURN TO C2 AFTER THE C5 CONVERSION?

It is possible to return to C2 simply by removing the parachute and the Flight Termination System (FTS), restoring the aircraft to its original C2 configuration.