DJI Avata Dronie Settings (Step-by-Step Guide)

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Like many others, I purchased my Avata without reading the manual first.

I was a little disappointed that this drone lacks Intelligent Flight Modes, especially the Dronie, which I love to shoot at family reunions.

Thanks to the new RC Motion 2, I have mastered this move.

The RC Motion 2 DJI controller has an improved trigger that, combined with its joystick, allows the Avata to perform a climbing backward maneuver. With the Goggles 2, you can fix the view with Head Tracking so the camera never loses its target.

If you want to know how I achieved this, continue reading. I will explain how you can effortlessly perform movements manually with the Avata and RC Motion 2.

Finally, I’ll give you the best recommendations to perform the Dronie safely.

What is a Dronie? #

The Dronie is a maneuver where the drone flies backward, gaining altitude. The target is always in the center of the camera.

DJI hasn’t added this QuickShots or any Intelligent Flight Mode to the Avata, and it’s uncertain when it will happen, if at all.

The only way to achieve this movement manually is with creativity.

How to do a Dronie with the DJI Avata + RC Motion 2 #

I got the DJI RC Motion 2 because I understood I could make my Avata fly backward while climbing.

And I was right. Look at this video and you will understand what I mean.

Doesn’t it look awesome? Now it’s time to do it yourself!

Step 1. Flying backward #

It is very easy to achieve a Dronie with Avata. Follow the step-by-step procedure below:

Pair your RC Motion 2 and Goggles 2 with the Avata.
Place the Avata on a flat surface with the camera looking at you.
Start the engines by pressing the red Lock button twice.
Hold down the red Lock button. The Avata takes off and hovers at approximately 1.2 meters or 4 feet.
Push the acceleration trigger forward with your index finger.

Now Avata should move backward.

By default, the speed the Avata flies backward is a max of 0.5 m/s. Initially, it seems very fast, but it is easy to get used to.

So when you feel you can handle more speed, you can increase it as follows:

Find the touch panel on the right side of your Goggles 2.
Swipe your finger forward to access the Goggles 2 menu.
Swipe your finger down to select the Settings option by tapping it.
Swipe your finger down to select the Control option by tapping it.
Swipe your finger down to select the Motion Controller option by tapping it.
Swipe your finger forward to select the Gain Tuning option by tapping it.
Swipe your finger down until you highlight the Max Backward Speed.
Tap the Max Backward Speed to open a list of speed options. Increase it only by 0.5 m/s while you get used to the movement.

Step 2. Flying vertically upward #

Thanks to the self-stabilization aid in Normal and Sport Modes, the Avata won’t lose height while flying backward. You don’t need to worry about it going down.

However, moving the joystick down while flying backward, the Avata descends and can hit the ground. This joystick is very sensitive, so slight movements make your Avata move immediately.

The same with moving up the joystick. You can lose awareness quickly as the Avata flies rapidly up with slight joystick movements.

The joystick’s maximum vertical speed is 5.0 m/s by default. That means the joystick controls not only the Avata going up or down but also the speed at which the Avata flies up and down.

Your movements must be very light. That’s why you need to train it as follows:

Pair your RC Motion 2 and Goggles 2 with the Avata.
Place the Avata on a flat surface.
Start the engines by pressing the red Lock button twice.
Move the joystick up to take off.
Land your Avata by double-pressing the red Lock button.

Repeat these steps while increasing the joystick travel. That way, you will get comfortable with its motion quickly.

If you see little progress, decrease the vertical speed as follows:

Find the touch panel on the right side of your Goggles 2.
Swipe your finger forward to access the Goggles 2 menu.
Swipe your finger down to select the Settings option by tapping it.
Swipe your finger down to select the Control option by tapping it.
Swipe your finger down to select the Motion Controller option by tapping it.
Swipe your finger forward to select the Gain Tuning option by tapping it.
Swipe your finger down until you highlight the Max Vertical Speed.
Tap the Max Vertical Speed to display a list of speed options. Decrease the value to 3.0 m/s.

Then repeat the joystick takeoff procedure. If it’s still too fast for you, decrease the speed by 0.5 m/s until you pick the sweet spot.

Step 3. Combine both movements #

When you master each movement, it’s time to perform them simultaneously.

By combining backward and vertical flying, you get that ascending maneuver. It sounds easy, but moving the index and thumb simultaneously takes practice.

Step 4. Add the Head Tracking function #

Now you should be a master in making the Avata fly backward and ascend.

To complete the Dronie, the camera must focus on the target. For training purposes, you are the target.

For the camera to hold you in the center, you must first set up the Goggles 2 Head Tracking function.

Find the touch panel on the right side of your Goggles 2.
Swipe your finger down to access the shortcut menu.
Swipe your finger forward until you reach the Head Tracking option.
Tap it to activate it.
Swipe your finger up to go out from the shortcut menu.

Then it’s time for the Dronie!

Pair your RC Motion 2 and Goggles 2 with the Avata.
Place the Avata on a flat surface, with the camera looking at you.
Start the engines by pressing the red Lock button twice.
Hold down the red Lock button. The Avata takes off and hovers at approximately 1.2 m or 4 feet.
Adjust the camera as needed.
Press the Shutter/Record button with your thumb. It’s below the dial.
Push the acceleration trigger while moving the joystick slightly. Move down your head gently to prevent the camera from losing you while the Avata ascends.
Reach an altitude and distance you feel comfortable with, and let your Avata hover in place.
Return your Avata to a safe height and distance near you or RTH by holding down the grey Mode button.
Land your Avata by double-pressing the red Lock button.

The trick here is to move your head very gently and slowly.

Don’t rush. You won’t gain a lot of height quickly. The reason is that you ascend while moving forward.

What should you consider before attempting a Dronie? #

Now you have achieved a manual Dronie with Avata!

However, there are some considerations you should make before attempting this movement.

Joystick use #

The joystick is hard to use in confined spaces. The reason is that the slightest joystick movement turns into a dramatic Avata movement.

So you should only use it in open and obstacle-free areas while you get used to it.

No obstacle avoidance #

The Avata doesn’t have a rear camera, so you’ll fly blind. It also lacks collision avoidance sensors to stop it when it finds an obstacle.

To fly backward, we advise you to always check your surroundings first.

Be especially cautious with obstacles. You can think that a tree is far from the Dronie flight path, but remember, you lose complete awareness of the flight path while flying backward.

So only perform a Dronie with your Avata in open and obstacle-free areas.

Set a max height and range #

Finally, setting the max altitude and distance the Avata can reach is safe. This way, your Avata will stop and hover at a safe height that will be your Dronie endpoint.

Study the area well before attempting the Dronie.

Then, set these parameters following the steps below:

Find the touch panel on the right side of your Goggles 2.
Swipe your finger forward to access the Goggles 2 menu.
Swipe your finger down to select the Settings option by tapping it.
Tap the Safety option.
Tap the Max Flight Altitude to change it to a safe height from the ground.
Tap and set the RTH Altitude to the same value as the Max Flight Altitude.
Tap the Max Flight Distance to change it to a safe distance from you.