Drone News Roundup: New Footage from the DJI Mini 5 Pro, BVLOS Rule Could Leave Out Major Drone Makers, and More!

This week we’re covering new footage from the DJI Mini 5 Pro, which just launched.

We’re also covering concerns that the FAA’s BVLOS rule could leave out major drones, a drone video celebrating autumn, tips for bringing a drone on a plane, and a new drone made specifically to crash into other drones for counter-drone (CUAS) defense.

Now let’s get to those links!

New Footage from the DJI Mini 5 Pro

What kind of footage can you get with the new DJI Mini 5 Pro? Beautiful, cinematic footage, as we can see in this new video showcasing the capabilities of the latest Mini. The video includes lush, sweeping landscapes, dynamic tracking shots, and some fun trick flying, showing off the quality of shots you can get with the Mini 5 Pro’s 1″ sensor, upgraded low-light performance, and latest ActiveTrack tech.

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FAA’s BVLOS Rule Could Leave Out DJI—and Others

After a long wait, the FAA’s Part 108 rule—the long-awaited framework to unlock routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations—is finally here in draft form. But DJI says the rule could exclude all of its drones, as well as drones from many other non-U.S. drone companies. DJI’s concern stems from the rule’s airworthiness acceptance requirement, which currently limits eligibility to drones manufactured in the U.S. or in countries with which the U.S. has specific bilateral agreements.

Additionally, the rule heavily favors fully automated drones, sidelining models that rely on manual pilot control—a setup that describes many DJI drones. Together, these provisions risk leaving out drone fleets used by first responders, farmers, inspectors, and more from accessing BVLOS operations under the new rule.

Note: The BVLOS rule is open to public comment until October 6, 2025. Learn how to make a comment here.

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It’s Fall Y’all—With Drones

In this new drone video, award-winning drone videographer Joanna Steidle brings her signature visual style to the changing colors of New England’s autumn. Steidle is an accomplished wildlife videographer, and we’ve covered her aerial videos of sharks, whales, and other marine wildlife shot off the East Coast before. In this video, she focuses on the changing colors of fall, capturing the White Mountains’ fiery treetops through Maine’s morning fog and Cape Cod’s golden marshes. Take a look as we usher in the fall season this week.

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Can You Bring a Drone on a Plane? Here’s What to Know

Traveling with a drone? Drones are generally allowed on planes, but there are some rules to keep in mind to avoid delays or confiscation. Here’s the key information to know:

• Carry-on recommended. TSA allows drones in both checked and carry-on bags, but lithium-ion batteries must be in carry-on luggage.
• Battery watt-hours. Batteries must be under 160 Wh. Larger batteries may require airline approval and must be protected from short circuit.
• Packing tips. Remove propellers if possible, use protective cases, label your gear, and turn off drones to prevent accidental activation.
• Check airline and destination rules. Policies vary, so confirm requirements for your airline and local drone regulations at your destination.

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New MARSS Drone Handles Rogue Drones by Crashing into Them

How can you take down a rogue drone? Some people use drone jammers, but security technology company MARSS has released a drone that does something straight out of an action movie: it hunts down rogue drones and crashes into them. The MARSS Interceptor-SR is small and light—about the size of a large bird—and it’s built to deploy quickly, crash into hostile drones, and stop them as fast as possible. Of course, this approach to CUAS isn’t safe in public places, since it could generate debris that may fall on people. And that’s why it’s only meant for the battlefield—at least for now.

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