DJI Matrice 4D and 4TD: C6 compliance now available in standalone mode

Until now, C6 compliance for the Matrice 4D applied exclusively to automated dock-based operations. The announcement made by DJI on 12 June 2026 is clear: compliance now extends to standalone mode, meaning flights piloted directly via remote controller, without the Dock 3. For professional operators, this opens the door to beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations well beyond fixed-dock use cases.

Key takeaways (update of 12 June 2026)

• DJI extends class C6 compliance of the Matrice 4D (M4D) and Matrice 4TD to manual RC piloting, no longer limited to automated Dock 3 operations.
• Two conditions apply: firmware 17.1.5 or higher and the DJI RC Plus 2 Enterprise remote controller.
• This compliance unlocks access to standard scenario STS-02: BVLOS flight in sparsely populated areas.
• Certification covers the aircraft only. Operator obligations (declaration, certificates, manuals) remain your responsibility.

What C6 compliance means (and why standalone mode changes everything)

Class C6 is an unmanned aircraft classification defined by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945. It was designed for standard scenarios in the Specific category, in particular STS-02, provided the operator also meets the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/947.

In practice, a C6-marked drone satisfies the hardware-side prerequisites for STS-02. As long as this compliance applied only to the Dock 3, BVLOS flights were confined to automated dock-based missions. By extending it to manual RC piloting, DJI makes it possible to operate under STS-02 with a ground-based operator and a remote controller, without any dock infrastructure. That was the barrier that has now been lifted.

To understand how the Dock 3 fits into this ecosystem, see our complete DJI Dock 3 guide.

Class C6 technical requirements

To carry the C6 marking, an aircraft must meet all of the following criteria:

Requirement	Specification
Maximum take-off mass (MTOM)	Below 25 kg, including payload
Maximum characteristic dimension	Maximum 3 metres
Maximum horizontal speed	Maximum 50 m/s
Flight termination system (FTS)	Independent of the flight controller, activated automatically upon permanent loss of the C2 link
C2 link monitoring	Continuous display of 4 signal levels to the pilot (strong, medium, weak, lost)
Flight volume	Support for pre-programmed operational limits before mission start
Geocaging	On-board system actively preventing the aircraft from leaving the defined flight geography

The requirements for an independent FTS and C2 link monitoring address signal loss scenarios directly, a risk we analyse in detail in our article on the flyaway probability for professional drones. Geocaging relies on manufacturer geographic zones, whose DJI updates we track here.

STS-01 vs STS-02: the operational leap

STS-02 is not simply a variant of STS-01. It is the scenario that justifies pursuing class C6 rather than C5.

Criterion	STS-01	STS-02
Required aircraft class	C5	C6
Environment	Controlled area, urban setting	Sparsely populated area
Line of sight	Continuous VLOS mandatory	BVLOS permitted during mission
Horizontal speed	Limited to 5 m/s	Up to 50 m/s (C6 limit)
Flight path	Defined ground areas	Pre-programmed trajectory

In short, STS-01 keeps you within direct line of sight, at reduced speed, within predefined ground areas. STS-02 permits beyond visual line of sight flight on a pre-programmed trajectory, with VLOS required only during take-off and landing.

What STS-02 concretely allows

Parameter	Limit
Maximum altitude	120 m AGL (up to +15 m near an obstacle exceeding 105 m, with authorisation)
Max. distance without observer	1 km from the remote pilot
Max. distance with observer	2 km (observer located within 1 km maximum)
BVLOS	Permitted during pre-programmed trajectory flight
VLOS	Mandatory only during take-off and landing
Dangerous goods	Not permitted
Aircraft class	C6 mandatory

Use cases unlocked by standalone mode

Linear infrastructure inspection

Power lines, pipelines, railways, road corridors: these assets often extend well beyond the pilot’s line of sight. STS-02 in standalone mode makes their BVLOS inspection accessible without deploying a Dock 3. To quantify the return on investment and the associated certifications, see our report Drone inspection in 2026: equipment, certifications and ROI.

For gas pipelines in particular, drone-based leak detection gains direct BVLOS range. The Matrice 4D carries TDLAS payloads such as the MetScan Nano 1 methane detection sensor, a topic we combine with the regulatory framework in Drone methane detection: what the European Regulation changes.

Search and rescue

Sweep missions over large open areas fall within the BVLOS framework of STS-02: the aircraft advances without the pilot having to reposition. For emergency services, this benefit combines with the thermal configurations of the Matrice 4TD, available as a Fire and Rescue Pack and as a Police Intervention Pack.

What remains your responsibility as operator

One critical point not to overlook: the C6 marking satisfies hardware requirements, not operator requirements. Before any STS-02 flight, you must gather:

• the STS-02 declaration or an operating authorisation from your national competent authority (in Belgium, the DGTA);
• the theoretical knowledge certificate covering standard scenarios;
• the STS-02 practical skills certificate specific to this scenario;
• an operations manual compliant with STS-02;
• a maintenance manual and logbook for the M4D;
• an emergency response plan (ERP);
• an observer coordination plan for operations beyond 1 km.

This risk mitigation logic aligns with the SORA methodology, which we detail in DJI FlightHub 2 and SafeSky: expanding your operations and securing your SORA. Note also that remote identification remains mandatory: see Remote identification rules for drones in Europe.

How to activate C6 compliance on your Matrice 4D or 4TD

Two prerequisites, with only one to verify on existing hardware:

1. Firmware 17.1.5 or higher on the aircraft.
2. DJI RC Plus 2 Enterprise remote controller, required for standalone piloting.

This is why the relevant configurations for C6 flight outside the dock are the combos that already include this remote controller: the DJI Matrice 4D Standalone Combo (with RC and charger) and the DJI Matrice 4TD Standalone Combo (with RC and charger). The Matrice 4D drone-only version remains relevant for operators who already have RC Plus 2 Enterprise controllers in their fleet.

On the mission equipment side, consider power continuity with the Matrice 4 Series 200W charging hub and, for cold-weather operations, the M4D low-noise anti-icing propellers. To strengthen your risk mitigation file in sensitive areas, the Dronavia Kronos M4D parachute provides an additional safety barrier (separate from the regulatory FTS integrated into the C6 class).

Matrice 4D or Matrice 4TD: which one to choose?

Both aircraft are C6-eligible. The choice comes down to payload: the Matrice 4D prioritises precision and mapping, while the Matrice 4TD adds the thermal capability expected in public safety and emergency response. To understand where this range fits within DJI’s current philosophy, read DJI Matrice 4: intelligent flight with Manifold 3 and LiDAR.

FAQ

Is the Matrice 4D C6 compliant?
Yes. Since the update of 12 June 2026, the Matrice 4D and Matrice 4TD are compliant with class C6 in standalone mode (remote controller), provided firmware 17.1.5 or higher is used together with the DJI RC Plus 2 Enterprise. Compliance already applied to Dock 3 operations.

What does class C6 enable?
Class C6, defined by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, gives access to standard scenario STS-02: BVLOS flight in sparsely populated areas on a pre-programmed trajectory, provided the operator fulfils the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/947.

What is the difference between STS-01 and STS-02?
STS-01 (C5 drones) requires continuous direct line of sight at reduced speed in controlled areas. STS-02 (C6 drones) permits beyond visual line of sight flight in sparsely populated areas, with direct line of sight required only during take-off and landing.

Is the C6 marking sufficient to fly under STS-02?
No. C6 covers the aircraft only. The operator must also file an STS-02 declaration, hold the theoretical and practical certificates, and maintain the manuals and plans required by the national competent authority.

Is a Dock 3 required for C6 compliance?
No, not since this update. Manual RC piloting is now covered, enabling BVLOS missions without a docking station.

Conclusion

Extending C6 compliance to standalone mode is more than a firmware update: it opens STS-02 to operators equipped with a Matrice 4D or 4TD and a remote controller, without depending on a Dock 3. Linear inspection and search-and-rescue missions in BVLOS become operationally viable for standalone fleets. The operator side of the compliance equation, however, remains entirely your responsibility.

Always verify current requirements with your national competent authority before any STS-02 operation. References: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, Regulation (EU) 2019/947, and the EASA standard scenarios framework.