DJI Avata – How to Take Off (Step-by-Step Guide)

Your new DJI Avata has arrived, and you’re excited to fly it. However, it doesn’t take off. Why not? 

To take off DJI Avata with a Motion Controller, press the Lock button twice and then press it again. If you’re using a DJI FPV Remote Controller 2, perform a CSC and raise the throttle.

But what if your l drone doesn’t even power the engines? Or what if it is upside down beyond your reach?

In this article, we’ll teach you the step-by-step process of how to take off Avata safely. You can also check on how to calibrate DJI Avata. .

We’ll also explain common scenarios where you can’t take off and what to do.

DJI Avata take-off procedure: Step-by-step #

This procedure involves more than just lifting the Avata from the ground at a certain altitude. It’s always advisable to do a pre-flight checklist first. 

That way, you eliminate potential factors that affect your drone from taking off safely.

So before attempting your Avata take-off, ensure the following:

• Check if you want to take off in a Geozone. Your engines won’t start if you lack the required permissions.

• Don’t attempt to take off in windy, rainy, snowy, or foggy conditions. You can damage Avata by hitting an obstacle. And remember that this drone isn’t waterproof.

• Check the environment you want to take off for foreign objects and debris like rocks or sharp branches. The propellers can suck them in, damaging the props or engines.

• Look for the flattest surface, as the drone uses the four engines simultaneously to take off. If you attempt this procedure on a non-flat surface, your Avata can tip over.

• Finally, ensure that the Avata Landing Gear sits at the level on that surface, or it can tip over too.

Now let’s look at how to take off with each available Avata RC.

Motion Controller #

To take off with this controller, follow the steps below after linking your RC, Avata, and Goggles:

1. Holding your Motion Controller, press the red Lock button twice with your thumb. The engines are now on with the propellers spinning.
2. Immediately hold down the red Lock button with your thumb for two seconds.
3. Your Avata will be at approximately four feet of altitude.

DJI FPV Remote Controller 2 #

The procedure with the FPV controller is different but straightforward.

1. Holding your FPV RC 2, move both sticks diagonally down simultaneously to start the engines.
2. Now move the left throttle stick to hover the drone.
3. Push the stick gently to an altitude that is comfortable for you.

Why won’t my Avata take off? #

The most common reason Avata won’t take off is due to following the procedure incorrectly.

Here are some other contributing factors.

**Geo Zone proximity ** #

This is the easiest to check as it prompts a warning on your Goggles. You can’t fly into a Geo Zone without previous permission.

This is an extensive topic that needs proper guidance. Go to this link where we help you to unlock any Geo Zone.

» MORE: How to Unlock Geofencing on Your DJI Drone (Step-By-Step Guide)

Damaged propellers #

Engines rotate Avata’s propellers to generate lift so the drone can fly.

Each propeller blade is a wing, so if one of the blades has lost shape due to excessive chipped ends or cuts, it won’t lift the Avata from the ground.

When your engines run with odd humming or metallic sounds, check the propellers as follows:

• Look for cuts near the propeller blade roots or edges. Replace the propeller when it has long cuts.

• A propeller can work with scratches but replace propellers that look worn and have chipped ends.

Now it’s time to check if your Avata takes off. If it doesn’t lift from the ground, it can be that you haven’t installed the propellers correctly.

Incorrect propeller installation #

Some Avata propellers come with distinctive marks. These propellers will fit in any Avata engine but won’t lift the drone.

Two Avata motors rotate clockwise, and the other two counterclockwise. So you require propellers for each rotation scheme.

1. Flip your Avata upside down.
2. Remove the propellers by loosening the two screws with a screwdriver.
3. Check if the marked propellers were in the engines with the mark.
4. Install two marked propellers in the two marked engines. Then install the non-marked propellers on the two non-marked engines.

If this doesn’t solve the issue, ensure you use adequate propellers.

No suitable propellers #

DJI sells its own Avata propellers, but other manufacturers have functional, cheaper, and well-made options which can make DJI Avata quieter. .

However, DJI advises only using their propellers as you can lose the warranty if something happens with your drone with other manufacturers’ propellers.

Thus, using your homemade propellers or options from other manufacturers is tempting, but it can be the root of the issue.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, you must contact DJI. It can be that the engines don’t give the required output to lift the Avata, or an internal firmware bug prevents it from happening.

Can I take off Avata from my hand? #

Sometimes we don’t find a dry flat surface without FOD to safely take off. That’s when hand launching becomes interesting.

Although you can master this movement with practice, we don’t advise you to.

A hand launch gives you extra steps you should follow. DJI didn’t design the Avata for hand launch, so they don’t recommend it.

It’s better to carry a launch pad you can level to be flat and clean any FOD near the launch area. These steps are enough to maintain your drone safely while taking off.

What if my Avata is upside down and I can’t access it? #

It’s common for your Avata to land upside down while doing a manual landing or a crash.

DJI equipped this drone with Turtle Mode, which fully powers two engines momentaneously to flip the drone. Then you can perform a usual take-off with your Motion Controller or FPV Remote Controller 2.

You launch this function from any of the Goggles.

If you use the Goggles 2:

1. Put on your Goggles.
2. Find the touch panel on the right side of the Goggles 2.
3. Swipe your finger from the back edge to the center to access the menu.
4. Swipe your finger down from the top edge until you highlight in yellow the Settings icon. Tap it.
5. Swipe your finger down from the top edge until you highlight in yellow the Control icon. Tap it.
6. Swipe your finger down until you highlight the Turtle Mode option in yellow. Tap it.
7. The Avata rear engines run full power and flip it. The Avata is now in the Landing Gear, ready to take off.

Or, when using the DJI FPV Goggles V2:

1. Put on your FPV Goggles V2.
2. Find the 5D joystick on the right side of the FPV Goggles V2.
3. Press this button once to access the menu.
4. Move the joystick down until you highlight in yellow the Settings icon. Press it.
5. Move the joystick down until you highlight in yellow the Control icon. Press it.
6. Move the joystick down until you highlight the Turtle Mode option in yellow. Press it.
7. The Avata rear engines run full power and flip it. The Avata is now in the Landing Gear, ready to take off.

Or you can use the default shortcut using the DJI FPV Remote Controller 2:

1. Find the C1 button left side of the power button.
2. Press the C1 button twice to start Turtle Mode.
3. The Avata is now in the Landing Gear, ready to take off.