Most DJI drones don't need landing gear. The Mini, Air and Mavic series are designed to take off and land on their own feet, and the Neo, Flip and Avata 2 sit on built-in guards or frames. Clip-on leg extensions sold for these drones are third-party accessories: they add height for grass and snow, but also add weight, can block downward sensors, and can push a 249 g Mini over 250 g. A landing pad is the better fix for most pilots.
Why people add landing gear
- Tall grass or uneven ground that props or the camera might touch
- Snow and sand kicked up at takeoff
- Gimbal clearance: on Mini and Air drones the camera hangs low under the nose
- Hand catching: longer legs give you something to hold, though catching a Mini or Air with open props is risky
The downsides
Weight. The Mini 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro sit right at the line, and the Mini 5 Pro's DJI weight is 249.9 g. Add a few grams and the drone weighs 250 g or more, which means FAA registration and Remote ID even for fun. See drone under 250 g rules.
Sensors. DJI drones use downward vision cameras and an infrared or ToF sensor to hold position low and to land precisely. Legs in the sensor's field of view can cause warnings, poor hovering or landing problems. Check the downward view after fitting anything.
Flight performance. Extra drag and weight shorten flight time and can affect wind handling.
Folding. Many extensions have to come off before the arms fold, so they slow down packing.
By drone
| Drone | Landing gear? | Better option |
|---|---|---|
| Mini 3, Mini 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro | Avoid if you rely on the sub-250 g limit | Landing pad, or launch from a flat surface |
| Air 3, Air 3S | Optional for snow or rough ground | Landing pad |
| Mavic 3 and Mavic 4 Pro | Rarely needed | Landing pad |
| Neo and Flip | No | Palm takeoff and landing |
| Avata 2 | No | The frame and integrated guard are the landing gear |
Use a landing pad instead
A folding landing pad, 50 to 75 cm across, gives you a flat, clean surface on grass, sand or gravel. It keeps debris out of the motors and gimbal and doesn't change the drone's weight. Weigh it down in wind.
Taking off safely without gear
- Pick the flattest, firmest spot available.
- Remove the gimbal protector and unfold the arms. See DJI gimbal protectors.
- Climb straight to about 2 m before moving, so the props clear grass and debris.
- Land the same way: hover, then descend slowly over the pad.
If a landing goes wrong and you damage a leg or the gimbal, DJI Care Refresh covers crash damage for a fee, or our repair team can help.
Browse accessories for propeller guards, bags and spare props that protect your drone without changing how it flies.
Related guides
- Do you need a drone landing pad? (Air 3S, Mini 5 Pro and more)
- Drone laws in the Faroe Islands: what visitors need to know
- Can a drone fly to space (or the top of Everest)?
- DJI Enhanced Transmission (4G dongle): is it available in the US?
- DJI gimbal protectors: when to use them (and when to take them off)
- Drone camera sensor sizes compared: Mini 4 Pro vs Air 3S vs Mavic 4 Pro
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