How Fast Can DJI Avata Fly?

DJI Avata is a fantastic new drone release and considering that it is an FPV drone, it can reach truly fantastic flight speeds.

How fast can DJI Avata fly?

**The DJI Avata drone can reach up to 17.8 mph (28.8 km/h) in normal mode, 31.3 mph (50.4 km/h) in sport mode, and 60.3 mph (97.2 km/h) in manual mode. These speeds are relative, and many factors can influence how fast a DJI Avata will fly in real-life situations. **

Following several factors that can influence how fast DJI Avata can fly, we have to deal with multiple aspects and characteristics to consider when we are looking to reach high speeds with a DJI Avata. 

How fast can DJI Avata fly? A detailed overview #

To understand how fast the DJI Avata flies, we must understand the speed limitations of a drone.

Drone motors are powerful and can spin at tens of thousands of rotations per minute.

But in general, a regular drone is limited by sensors that accurately maintain a stable RPM, steady flight, longer battery life, and a cinematic approach to use the drone for filming and photography.

In our case with DJI Avata, we have an element, a unique flight style: manual mode, also known as Acro Mode. 

Without sensors limiting flight speed for balance, automatic hover, and classic maneuvrability, the DJI Avata is capable of reaching extreme speeds.

This includes but is not limited to flying at a high angle degree, free falls and dives, freestyle, and quick accelerations. 

But in the meantime, let’s have a look over the technical aspect of how fast DJI Avata can fly:

DJI AvataMax SpeedMax Ascent SpeedNormal, Sport Mode: 6 m/s (21.6 km/h, 13.4 mph)Manual Mode: up to drone max speedMax Descent SpeedNormal, Sport Mode: 6 m/s (21.6 km/h, 13.4 mph)Manual Mode: +/- drone max speedMax SpeedNormal Mode: 8 m/s (28.8 km/h, 17.8 mph)Sport Mode: 14 m/s (50.4 km/h, 31.3 mph)Manual Mode: 27 m/s (97.2 km/h, 60.3 mph)Max Wind Speed Resistance10.7 m/s (level 5) (38.5 km/h, 23.9 mph)

Note: Only in manual mode can you reach maximum drone flight speed.

As you may have noticed, the max ascent and descent speed is equal to the drone’s maximum speed, more or less. How is that?

Once in manual mode, the drone does not have limited acceleration as in normal and sport modes and is limited only by the power of the motors and battery level.

In this case, the DJI Avata can take off lightning fast and descend at gravity level (or even quicker, if forced).

We do not know the exact numbers of how fast we can accelerate DJI Avata in manual mode, but comparable, DJI FPV can reach 62 mph (100km/h) in less than 2 seconds, even when ascending.

But it is known that the ascent speed (and descent) in ordinary circumstances can reach a speed equal to the drone’s maximum speed.

How fast can the DJI Avata fly compared to the DJI FPV drone? #

There is a slight difference between the max speed of the DJI Avata and the DJI FPV Drone.

In normal conditions, the DJI FPV drone is faster than DJI Avata on all fronts. 

Max SpeedDJI AvataDJI FPV Normal Mode17.8 mph (8 m/s)33.5 mph (15 m/s)Sport Mode31.3 mph (14 m/s)60.3 mph (27 m/s)Manual Mode60.3 mph (27 m/s)87.2 mph (39 m/s)DJI Avata vs. DJI FPV Drone max speeds

DJI Avata is a drone created with a frame that promotes slower, smooth flights and safety in mind, whereas DJI FPV was created for fast cinematic FPV flights.

By observing the drone frame structure of both the DJI Avata and DJI FPV, it is readily apparent that the DJI FPV was created for extreme speed, whereas DJI Avata was for slow, smooth, safe flights.

Factors that can influence the DJI Avata’s flight speed #

Each of the following factors can influence how fast the DJI Avata can fly in either normal, sport, or manual modes. 

Wind Speed #

The wind speed is the main factor influencing how fast the DJI Avata flies. Flying against the wind will slow the drone down, requiring more power to push forward. 

Flying with the wind may increase the DJI Avata’s speed. But beware of how much you force the drone motors in this case.

Flight Style #

The flight style is another core element influencing how fast DJI Avata can fly, including turns, ascents & descends, and if you engage in freestyle. 

Temperature & Humidity #

Two factors directly influence the speed of the drone.

The intelligent battery and internal sensors will attempt to protect the drone from overheating in some cases, where which will limit the drone’s flight speed to avoid burning it.

If weather conditions are hot and humid, these sensors will slow the drone down sooner. They also lend themselves to poorer drone performance in general.

Additional weights #

Have you attached a GoPro to your DJI Avata or a landing gear? Even a few extra grams may affect how fast the drone can fly. 

The aerodynamics of the drone #

The DJI Avata has a great aerodynamic structure, but not as good as the DJI FPV if we relate to faster speeds. But even with that, the drone is fast.

However, it is necessary to remember that any additional modification to the drone structure that can affect its aerodynamics can massively decrease the drone’s max speed.

Battery level  #

In general, with FPV drones, lower battery levels significantly impact the motors’ strength.

But the DJI Avata battery is a significant improvement over a standard FPV lipo battery. 

Although improved, when the currents decrease, the motor power is also reduced, affecting the drone’s max speed substantially.

Therefore, remember, DJI Avata with a full battery will always fly faster than DJI Avata with a battery nearly empty.

Altitude  #

Flying at higher altitudes, particularly into the mountains where the atmospheric pressure is slightly lower than on the seaside, can affect the drone’s speed.

DJI recommends flying DJI Avata under 16,000 ft (5000m) altitude because it would be challenging and a struggle for the drone to even fly at that altitude.

Propellers #

If you have swapped the original DJI Avata propellers into some custom 3rd party ones, there is a high possibility for the drone to fly at slower speeds, reaching reduced max speeds. 

The legal limitations #

In some countries like mainland China, there is a limit on how fast you can fly your drone. These limits may be put in place by DJI on Avata to adhere to their laws and regulations.

Therefore, please remember that if the territory, state, or country you fly your DJI Avata has severe max speed limits, this can automatically affect the drone’s max power, either by geofencing territorial implementation, hardware, or software limitations.

Things to keep in mind when flying DJI Avata at high speeds #

There are a few crucial points we have to remember when flying the DJI Avata at high speeds.

• Beware of the surroundings and where you fly the drone that fast.

• Forcing the DJI Avata, as with any FPV drone, to reach the maximum speed is definitely not recommended, especially for more than a few seconds, as it can lead to over-forcing the motors and even burning them out.

• It is difficult to maintain the stability of DJI Avata when flying fast because of the frame structure.

• Reaching high speeds may induce shakes and losing stability on sudden turns.

• Please recall that the DJI Avata was created for slow and smooth flights, including indoor flights, and flying the drone at high speeds is precisely the opposite of the drone’s core designation.

• To fly acro and do freestyle with the DJI Avata may not be as smooth as other drones, such as DJI FPV, because of the cinewhoop frame, especially if flying fast.