The DJI Mavic 3 Classic's top speed is 21 m/s, which is about 47 mph or 76 km/h, in Sport mode at sea level with no wind. In Normal mode, with obstacle sensing active, it's limited to 15 m/s (about 34 mph). It climbs at up to 8 m/s in Sport mode and descends at up to 6 m/s. In the EU, Sport mode is capped at 19 m/s.
Mavic 3 Classic speeds in every unit
| Measure | m/s | mph | km/h |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max horizontal, Sport mode | 21 | 47.0 | 75.6 |
| Max horizontal, Sport mode (EU) | 19 | 42.5 | 68.4 |
| Max horizontal, Normal mode | 15 | 33.6 | 54 |
| ActiveTrack and POI max | 12 | 26.8 | 43.2 |
| Max climb, Sport | 8 | 17.9 | 28.8 |
| Max climb, Normal and Cine | 6 | 13.4 | 21.6 |
| Max descent | 6 | 13.4 | 21.6 |
All from DJI's specs and manual, at sea level in still air.
Flight modes and speed
- Normal (N): up to 15 m/s with the vision systems active and a maximum tilt of 30 degrees. This is the mode to use near obstacles.
- Sport (S): up to 21 m/s. DJI says obstacle sensing is disabled, the drone responds much more sharply to the sticks, and braking distances get longer.
- Cine (C): based on Normal with speed limited, for smoother footage. DJI's spec table lists Cine's horizontal speed as 1 to 15 m/s.
Switch modes with the flight mode switch on the controller.
Sensing speed limits
Obstacle sensing only works up to certain speeds. DJI rates forward and lateral sensing effective at flight speeds up to 15 m/s, backward up to 12 m/s, and up and down up to 6 m/s. That's why Normal mode stops at 15 m/s and Sport turns sensing off. See Mavic 3 Classic obstacle avoidance.
Speed and wind
The Classic is rated for wind up to 12 m/s, well under its 21 m/s top speed, so it has the power to get home in strong breezes. Expect slower ground speed upwind and faster downwind. Flying fast into wind drains the battery quickly. See Mavic 3 Classic wind resistance.
Can it follow a car or boat?
ActiveTrack and Point of Interest top out at 12 m/s (about 27 mph). That covers cyclists, runners and boats at modest speed. For faster subjects you'd fly manually in Sport mode, which means no obstacle sensing and is best done over open water or empty land.
How it compares
| Drone | Top speed (Sport) |
|---|---|
| Mavic 3 Classic | 21 m/s (47 mph) |
| Mavic 3 Pro | 21 m/s (47 mph) |
| Air 3S | 21 m/s (47 mph) |
See Air 3S top speed for the Air 3S details.
Speed and the law
Part 107 caps drone speed at 100 mph, far above the Classic's limit. There's no separate recreational speed cap, but you must keep the drone in visual line of sight, and at 47 mph it can leave your view quickly. See Part 107.
Full specs and kits are on the DJI Mavic 3 Classic page.
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