DJI Virtual Flight (DJI Avata Simulator)

Did you get the DJI Avata but realize it’s not as easy to fly as you thought? Or do you want to get started with FPV drones and get a feel for how they fly?

DJI has a solution for you: a simulator. So, what exactly is the DJI Avata simulator?

The DJI Avata simulator, or DJI Virtual Flight, is designed to help you familiarize yourself with Avata. It guides you on the essential components that come with the drone, how to navigate the app, and allows you to practice flying the drone like you would in real life.

Please keep reading to learn more about this simulator, how to set it up, if it’s worth your time, and other simulators worth checking out.

The DJI Avata simulator #

Also known as DJI Virtual Flight, the DJI Avata simulator is designed to emulate how Avata flies in real life.

It makes it as easy as possible for anyone to join the world of FPV and, more importantly, to familiarize themselves with Avata before flying it in real life.

If you don’t have the drone yet, you can download the flight simulator for free on DJI’s official website, either for Android or iOS, and start flying using the screen controls.

However, you must connect your controller and goggles to learn fundamental FPV drone skills.

That means you will need to purchase the Avata itself to access these devices, and buying just the controller and the goggles wouldn’t be ideal since they’re expensive.

If your goal is to fly the Avata, the DJI Avata simulator is a must-have tool for practice since it’s designed explicitly for that drone.

If you’re looking for a simulator that doesn’t need you to purchase a whole drone setup, I will list a few of the best ones later in the article.

But first, let’s set up the DJI Avata simulator.

How to set up the DJI Virtua Flight (DJI Avata simulator) #

As mentioned, you will need everything that comes with the Avata to get the whole experience. That includes the goggles, OTG cables, and controllers, which can be the motion or DJI FPV controllers.

Download the appropriate version of the DJI Virtual Flight app on this page.

Once you have everything ready, below is how you set it up.

1. Connect the power cable to the battery and the other barrel end to the goggles.
2. Connect one end of the OTG cable to the goggles.
3. Get a data cable and connect one end to the OTG cable and the other end to the smartphone where you installed the simulator.
4. Power on the controller and the goggles by pressing the power button once, then a second time, and hold.
5. You will see that the controller’s LEDs are flashing, meaning they are not connected to a drone yet.
6. At this point, start the simulator you just downloaded and installed. It will take you through the initial setup process and ask how you would like to control it. As mentioned earlier, you should select the FPV or motion controller option unless you don’t have the drone yet.
7. After completing the setup process, you can access a screen that shows you a wide range of DJI equipment and some training tutorials. This will be an excellent chance to learn about the Avata, what every button does, and how to start flying it.

What is it like flying in the DJI Avata simulator? #

After the setup process, you can choose Free Flight or Race Track.

Free Flight is great for practicing how to fly, especially if you’re into freestyling. If you want to get into racing, it’s best to start racing on the tracks as soon as possible.

The Parking Garage, Stadium, and Abandoned Factory scenarios help spice up your flights.

If you have seen people fly a drone through a tower and find it fascinating, the Abandoned Factory has a tower where you can practice such moves.

The drone physics feel very realistic, and you get to go through windows and crevices and practice how it would feel in real life.

I find the DJI Simulator ideal for when you practice Manual Mode.

If you have never flown an FPV drone, Manual Mode will seem pretty weird since the drone doesn’t stabilize itself, and you must use the controls to stabilize it.

The simulator is designed to show you how exactly that feels.

You also get to experience what happens if you click the “Panic” (Pause) button to get back to stabilization in Normal Mode in case of an emergency.

When getting started, you can fly in Normal Mode and fly slowly. Later, you can switch to Sport Mode and then Manual Mode within the simulator.

DJI ensures that if you want to switch to Manual Mode on the drone, you’re ready for it. That’s why they designed that you have to open up the controller and flip a “switch” to get access to it.

Before you do all that, the simulator will help you get more comfortable with it.

DJI Avata simulator alternatives #

As I mentioned, the DJI Avata simulator is great for learning about this drone, but it would be best to have a full-fledged simulator to learn more about FPV, test various drones, and have a more comprehensive range of scenarios.

I have used simulators a lot, and here are my favorites.

» MORE: 9 Best Drone Flight Simulators (FPV and Commercial)

DRL (Drone Racing League) simulator #

This is one simulator I always use due to the realistic physics, training, and many scenes you can fly in.

Developed by DRL, the simulator is designed to provide an immersive experience for pilots who want to improve their skills and compete at the highest level.

You can fly in scenes like US Air Force bone yards, parking lots, campgrounds, and depots. You can also choose a drone, customize it, compete with other pilots in the simulator, and see yourself on the leaderboard.

You even get a chance to try out for the actual Drone Racing League competition, where you can win thousands of dollars in prize money, contracts, and sponsorships.

» MORE: DRL Simulator Review

LiftOff #

LiftOff is another excellent simulator for anyone who wants to get started in FPV. It’s one of the most realistic racing drone simulators, featuring a wide range of scenes, racing tracks, and the ability to customize your drone.

You can fly the simulator in freestyle mode, compete against your highest score or compete with other people online.

The simulator uses a physics engine that accurately simulates the behavior of a real drone, including the effects of wind, drag, and gravity.

This makes it an excellent training tool for new and experienced pilots who want to improve their skills and techniques.

ORQA FPV Skydive #

If you’re looking for a simulator that works on your smartphone, the FPV Skydive from ORQA is a good option.

This simulator has training sections where you can familiarize yourself with how an FPV drone flies and how to adjust the control settings.

Once you’re done, you get to practice in virtual racetracks, stadiums, and construction zones.

Better yet, you can connect your favorite controller to build some flying muscle memory that you will need to fly a real FPV drone.