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The Only Tutorial You’ll Ever Need on How to Turn On DJI Mavic Air: A Step-by-Step Guide

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • Once the drone powers on, you should see the live feed from the drone’s camera on your phone screen in the DJI Fly app.
  • Turning on your DJI Mavic Air is a simple process, but it’s crucial to follow these steps to ensure a smooth and safe flight experience.
  • With a fully charged battery, a connected remote controller, and the DJI Fly app, you’re ready to explore the world from a whole new perspective.

The DJI Mavic Air is a fantastic drone for capturing stunning aerial footage and exploring the world from a new perspective. But before you can soar through the skies, you need to know how to turn it on. This guide will walk you through the simple steps of powering up your Mavic Air, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable flying experience.

1. Charge Your Battery

Before you even think about turning on your Mavic Air, make sure the battery is fully charged. A depleted battery will prevent your drone from powering on and could lead to unexpected issues during flight.

  • Locate the battery: The battery is located in the bottom compartment of the drone.
  • Connect the charger: Use the included DJI charging hub or a compatible wall adapter to charge the battery.
  • Monitor the charging status: The battery indicator on the charger will show the charging progress.

2. Power On the Remote Controller

The remote controller is the control center for your Mavic Air. It allows you to operate the drone, adjust settings, and view the live feed.

  • Open the controller: The remote controller has a compartment that houses the battery and the phone holder.
  • Insert the battery: Ensure the battery is correctly inserted and secured.
  • Power on the controller: Press and hold the power button on the remote controller until the LED lights up.

3. Connect the Remote Controller to Your Phone

The DJI Fly app is your essential companion for controlling your Mavic Air. It provides access to various settings, flight modes, and real-time information.

  • Download the DJI Fly app: Download and install the DJI Fly app on your smartphone or tablet.
  • Connect your phone to the remote controller: The remote controller has a dedicated slot for your phone.
  • Enable Wi-Fi: On your phone, connect to the Wi-Fi network generated by the remote controller.

4. Power On the Mavic Air Drone

Now, with the remote controller and app ready, you can finally turn on your Mavic Air.

  • Locate the power button: The power button is located on the top of the drone.
  • Press and hold the power button: Hold the power button until the drone starts up.
  • Wait for the drone to initialize: The drone will take a few seconds to boot up and connect to the remote controller.

5. Verify Connection and Start Flying

Once the drone powers on, you should see the live feed from the drone’s camera on your phone screen in the DJI Fly app.

  • Check the signal strength: Ensure the signal strength between the drone and the remote controller is strong.
  • Calibrate the compass: If you’re flying for the first time, or if you’ve moved to a new location, it’s essential to calibrate the compass.
  • Prepare for takeoff: Follow the safety guidelines in the DJI Fly app and ensure you’re in a safe and legal area for flying.

6. Take Off and Enjoy the Flight

You’re now ready to take flight!

  • Use the joysticks on the remote controller: The left joystick controls the drone’s altitude and yaw, while the right joystick controls the forward/backward and left/right movement.
  • Explore different flight modes: The DJI Fly app offers various flight modes, such as ActiveTrack, Tripod Mode, and Sport Mode, allowing you to experiment with different flying styles.
  • Capture amazing footage: Use the drone’s camera to capture stunning aerial photos and videos.

Time to Land and Power Down

After your flight, it’s time to land and power down your Mavic Air.

  • Initiate landing: Use the remote controller to guide the drone to a safe landing spot.
  • Power off the drone: Once the drone has landed, press and hold the power button to turn it off.
  • Power off the remote controller: Turn off the remote controller by pressing and holding the power button.

Final Thoughts: Your Journey into the Skies

Turning on your DJI Mavic Air is a simple process, but it’s crucial to follow these steps to ensure a smooth and safe flight experience. With a fully charged battery, a connected remote controller, and the DJI Fly app, you’re ready to explore the world from a whole new perspective.

What People Want to Know

Q: What should I do if my Mavic Air won‘t turn on?
A: Firstly, ensure the battery is fully charged. If the battery is charged and the drone still won’t turn on, try resetting the drone by holding the power button for 10 seconds. If this doesn’t work, contact DJI support for further assistance.
Q: Why is the remote controller not connecting to my phone?
A: Ensure you’ve downloaded and installed the latest version of the DJI Fly app. Also, double-check your phone’s Wi-Fi settings and ensure it’s connected to the remote controller’s network. If the issue persists, try restarting both the phone and the remote controller.
Q: My drone’s battery is low, and I need to land. What should I do?
A: If the battery is low, the drone will automatically return to its home point (the location where it took off). You can also manually guide the drone back to a landing spot using the remote controller.
Q: How do I know if my Mavic Air is properly calibrated?
A: The DJI Fly app will prompt you to calibrate the compass if needed. You can also check the calibration status in the app’s settings.
Q: What are some important safety tips for flying my Mavic Air?
A: Always fly in a safe and legal area, follow local regulations, and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid flying near airports, power lines, or crowds. Always keep the drone within your line of sight and maintain a safe distance from obstacles.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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