Drone News: DJI Announces Mini 5 Pro, CA Drone Pilot Sentenced, SAR Drone Shot During Flight
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Welcome to your weekly UAS news update. This week, we cover three important stories: DJI’s expected announcement of the Mini 5 Pro, the sentencing of a drone pilot in California for colliding with a firefighting aircraft, and a search and rescue drone being shot down in Maine.
DJI Unveils the Mini 5 Pro
As anticipated, DJI has unveiled the Mini 5 Pro, and its specifications are as impressive as we imagined for a sub-250g drone. The standout feature is a 50-megapixel, 1-inch CMOS sensor—a long-requested addition to the Mini series. The camera can shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second in HDR and even 4K slow motion at 120 frames per second, which is remarkable for a drone of this size. For professionals, it supports 10-bit D-Log M and HLG color profiles, with a maximum ISO of 12,800.
The gimbal has also received a major upgrade, with a 225-degree roll rotation and true vertical shooting, allowing for social media content creation without cropping. For enhanced safety, DJI introduces Nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing, which utilizes a forward-facing LiDAR unit and multiple vision sensors for improved performance in low-light conditions. The standard battery provides a flight time of 36 minutes, with an optional Intelligent Flight Battery Plus extending that to a potential 52 minutes.
However, the Mini 5 Pro is not officially available in the US market through the DJI store. It is possible that other retailers may carry it, similar to the Mavic 3, but it will not be sold directly by DJI in the United States.
California Drone Pilot Sentenced for Mid-Air Collision
A drone pilot in California has been sentenced for a mid-air collision with a firefighting aircraft that occurred a few months ago. Peter Ackerman, a 57-year-old from Culver City, pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor for the unsafe operation of a drone. The incident took place in January 2025, when he flew his drone into the path of a Super Scooper aircraft battling the Palisades fires in Los Angeles. The drone struck the aircraft’s wing, causing a 3×6-inch hole and forcing the plane to be grounded for repairs costing $65,000.
As part of the plea deal, Ackerman has been ordered to pay full restitution to the Quebec government, which owned the aircraft, and to the repair company. He must also complete 150 hours of community service supporting wildfire relief efforts. In a letter to the court, he described his actions as “stupid and reckless,” stating that he was curious to see the fire damage. This incident serves as a stark reminder that flying in a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone, especially over emergency scenes, is both dangerous and illegal.
Search and Rescue Drone Shot Down in Maine
In Maine, a drone being used for a good cause took a bad turn. A commercial drone operated by 2A Tech Air Services was shot down while being used in the search for two missing dogs. The operator, Rob Russell, was flying the Matrice 30 at an altitude of 360 feet in Corinth, Maine, when he received a warning and brought the aircraft down. Upon inspection, he discovered a bullet hole through the front sensor.
Russell, who uses his fleet of drones for search and rescue missions across New England, stated that the damage will cost thousands to repair and will take a critical tool out of service. The incident is now under federal investigation. It is important to remember that shooting at a drone is a federal offense, legally equivalent to shooting at a manned aircraft. Such actions not only destroy expensive equipment but also pose a serious risk to people on the ground.
FAA Proposes New Rules to Protect Drone Pilots
On a related note, the FAA is proposing new language in the Part 108 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to protect remote pilots and visual observers from harassment and distraction. This is a welcome addition that would be included in Part 108 and also added to Part 107.
A Call to Action on Part 108
It is incredibly important for drone pilots to make their voices heard on the Part 108 NPRM. If you are unsure where to start, we have two videos explaining the proposal and our comments on it. As it stands, the proposed Part 108 would not include current Part 107 or recreational pilots. We have a solution for this, so please watch the videos and submit your comments before October 6, 2025.
If you support our proposal to fix the NPRM, please fill out the form in the description to be included as a supporter in our joint comment to the FAA. Over 100 companies have already joined us. You will still need to submit your own comment, but your name will be added to our joint submission.