Can DJI Avata Fly Backward? (Explained)

You need control over all flight directions to capture fantastic video recordings with a drone, including DJI Avata.

You may need to get your drone out of a place where changing directions is risky, hence the question, can DJI Avata fly backward?

DJI Avata can fly backward in Normal, Sport, and Manual Modes, as well as with the FPV Remote Controller and motion controller with head tracking. To fly backward with Avata is not ideal due to the lack of avoidance sensors and difficulties in controlling the drone.

There are a few more reasons why you should not fly backward with Avata and some tips to consider if you want to do it, so make sure you check out the information we have for you ahead!

Flying DJI Avata backward – What you need to know #

DJI Avata is an FPV drone. A standard drone may be able to fly backward with no issues in any direction, but with FPV drones, it’s a bit trickier.

The Avata’s advantage is that you can use Normal and Sport Modes on top of Manual Mode (acro), where things get more complicated to fly backward 

You can fly backward two ways with Avata: Using the standard remote controller and the motion controller, but only with the head tracking option from the DJI Goggles 2.

You cannot fly backward with only the motion controller or with the motion controller and the DJI FPV Goggles V2.

How to fly DJI Avata backward with the FPV Remote Controller #

On the FPV remote controller that you use to fly the DJI Avata, you have (on Mode 2) on the left side the throttle and yaw, and the right joystick adopts pitch and roll.

The pitch will perform as flying forward when you push up on the right joystick and will fly backward when pulling toward you. 

Of course, with a good combination of throttle and yaw/roll, you can create a smooth, unique cinematic video with your Avata while flying backward.

It all relates to different drone flying techniques in Normal/Sport Modes. 

As for flying in Manual Mode backward, that’s a different story.

Flying DJI FPV backward with the motion controller + head tracking #

With a motion controller, you can fly only in the directions you face the drone, hence moving forward.

You need to activate the head tracking to fly sideways and, most importantly, backward.

• Before you take off with your drone, go to settings > camera > EIS and set to HorizonSteady.
• After you take off, turn on the head tracker from your DJI Goggles 2. 

Flying the DJI Avata backward in Normal, Sport, and Manual Modes #

The Avata is similar to other DJI drones when flying backward in Normal and Sport Modes. 

Maybe we’re looking at different drone stability or camera leveling, but nothing out of the ordinary compared to the Mini 3, for instance, when you want to fly backward.

Flying the Avata backward in Normal Mode may be the ideal approach with the remote controller or motion controller with head tracking.

If you want to fly your Avata backward in Sport Mode, please remember that you face much higher flight speeds, putting your drone at risk if you fly in places with many obstacles.

But what about flying the DJI Avata backward in full Manual Mode (acro)?  #

This is a highly complicated technique for flying an FPV backward.

It can be done, but you must ensure you know how to fly an FPV well before attempting to fly it backward. But why?

You must fly at a specific speed forward when you set a camera angle for your Avata drone to fly in Manual Mode–for instance, 20 degrees–to center your horizon line. 

The higher the angle, the faster you will fly.

If you want to hover or land your Avata, your horizon level will go way down, and you will see mostly the sky.

This is because we attempt to level the drone to zero degrees to hover while the camera angle remains at 20 degrees.

Now, pushing the drone to fly backward will result in an even higher inclination opposite to the camera angle you had set to your Avata to fly manually.

Easier it would be to set the camera angle to zero degrees when flying manually, then you can pitch backward and fly backward.

But beware, at this time, your flight control will be the opposite of flying forward in Manual Mode. This will put your drone at risk of crashing if you don’t have experience in a simulator to fly backward.

For this reason, we recommend you first try to fly an FPV drone backward in Manual Mode in a simulator.

Why else we don’t recommend flying the DJI Avata backward? #

The DJI Avata has no proximity or avoidance sensors, neither frontal, on sides, or backward. 

If you fly backward with your Avata, you will not know your surroundings and what is behind your drone. But can DJI Avata fly sideways? .

Your visual field will be restricted to only observing forward, and there is no way to automate this function as with standard drones.

Note: And we do have to mention one more time, to attempt flying the DJI Avata backward in Manual Mode, you will likely crash the drone if you don’t have the required experience and knowledge to do so.