Best drone simulators (and what happened to DJI Virtual Flight)

The best drone simulators for learning FPV are Liftoff and Uncrashed, with the DRL Simulator and Drone Champions League (DCL) for racing. All four run on PC, and DJI names them as compatible with its FPV Remote Controller 3, so you can practice on the same sticks you'll fly an Avata 2 with in Manual mode. DJI's own DJI Virtual Flight app stopped being maintained on March 21, 2024, so it's no longer the go-to choice.

Drone simulators DJI lists — DJI's FPV Remote Controller 3 manual names Liftoff, Uncrashed, the Drone Racing League and Drone Champions League simulators as compatible.

Why use a simulator

Crashes are free. Learning FPV, especially Manual (acro) mode, involves many crashes.
Orientation practice. Flying toward yourself, where controls feel reversed, takes repetition.
Muscle memory. Throttle control and coordinated turns become automatic.

DJI's FPV Remote Controller 3 manual says to practice Manual mode in simulators before flying it for real, and the Avata 2 FAQ recommends the same group of sims.

The simulators

Liftoff. Lots of freestyle and racing maps, and a common starting point for learning acro.

Uncrashed. Detailed, realistic freestyle environments that feel close to real flying spots.

DRL Simulator. Built around Drone Racing League tracks; good if racing interests you.

Drone Champions League (DCL). Another racing-focused sim.

Check each store page for current price and system requirements. Some sims run sales or offer free versions; others, like VelociDrone, are also popular with FPV pilots.

Controllers

DJI FPV Remote Controller 3: connect by USB to practice on DJI's own sticks.
A hobby radio with USB joystick support, common for custom builds.
A gamepad: fine for a first try, but small thumbsticks make throttle control hard.

Calibrate the sticks inside the simulator before your first session. Setup steps: how to practice drone flying on a PC.

What about DJI Fly or a "DJI Neo simulator"?

People often search for a simulator for camera drones like the Mini or the Neo. These drones are designed to be easy to fly with GPS hold and obstacle features on many models, so most people learn in a large open field instead:

Start in Normal mode, or Cine mode where your drone has it, and keep speeds low.
Practice hovering, then slow squares and figure eights.
Test return-to-home in a safe spot.
Learn the app's warnings before you need them.

Practice plan for FPV

Angle (self-level) mode first: hover, fly squares, land on a pad.
Switch to acro once hovering is easy.
Short, frequent sessions: about 15 minutes most days.
Move to a real assisted FPV drone, like the Avata 2 in Normal mode, when steady laps feel easy.

Remember that FPV flying in the US needs a visual observer beside you, the Avata 2 must be registered with the FAA, and recreational pilots need the TRUST test.

New to FPV? Read FPV drone vs normal drone and are FPV drones legal.