How to fly a drone: a beginner's step-by-step guide

Your first flights are about learning control, not getting shots. Sort out the rules first (the free TRUST test, and registration if your drone weighs 250 g or more), update and charge everything at home, then fly in a large open field. Wait for the Home Point to record, use auto takeoff, hover at eye level and practice slow, gentle moves before you try anything else.

Before you fly

1. Take the TRUST test. It's free and online, and every recreational pilot needs it. See TRUST test.
2. Register the drone if it weighs 250 g or more ($5 for 3 years). See FAA registration.
3. Activate and update the drone and controller in DJI Fly at home on Wi-Fi, not in the field.
4. Charge every battery, the controller and your phone.
5. Check the airspace at your spot with B4UFLY or Aloft. Near airports you'll need LAANC.
6. Set safety limits in DJI Fly: a max altitude of 120 m (about 394 ft), a sensible max distance, Return to Home altitude above nearby obstacles, and Signal Lost action set to Return to Home.

Pick the right place

• A large, open field away from people, roads, trees and power lines
• Away from metal structures, cars and rebar, which can upset the compass
• Low wind. Check the forecast for gusts.
• Somewhere you're allowed to take off. Many parks restrict drones.

Your controls (Mode 2, the default)

Stick	Up / down	Left / right
Left stick	Climb / descend (throttle)	Turn left / right (yaw)
Right stick	Fly forward / backward (pitch)	Slide left / right (roll)

DJI controllers default to Mode 2. Keep your thumbs on the sticks the whole flight, and use small, smooth inputs.

Your first flight, step by step

1. Unfold the arms in the order your manual shows (rear arms first on the Mini 4 Pro), remove the gimbal protector and check the propellers.
2. Power on the controller, then the drone. Open DJI Fly.
3. Wait for GPS and the "Home Point recorded" message.
4. Take off. Use Auto Takeoff in DJI Fly; on the Mini 4 Pro the drone climbs to about 1.2 m and hovers. Or start the motors with the combination stick command and push the left stick gently up.
5. Climb to about 10 ft and hover for a minute. Let go of the sticks and watch it hold position.
6. Practice each axis: a little forward and back, then left and right, then climb and descend.
7. Practice turning in place (yaw), then fly a slow square.
8. Land. Use Auto Land, or descend slowly and hold the left stick down until the motors stop.

Repeat this for a few batteries before flying farther or higher.

Practice drills for your next flights

• Nose-in hovering. Turn the drone to face you; left and right now feel reversed.
• Figure eights at a steady height
• Orbits around a tree or post, combining yaw and roll
• Return to Home on purpose, so you know how it behaves
• Manual landing on a small target

Emergency basics

• Lost orientation? Look at the map in DJI Fly, or press Return to Home.
• Strong wind warning? Head back, and descend if you can't make progress.
• Something wrong? Land now. DJI drones only stop motors mid-flight in emergencies by default, because stopping them in the air causes a crash.

More in drone flying tips.

Rules to remember every flight

• At or below 400 ft above the ground
• Keep the drone in sight
• Don't fly over people or moving vehicles
• Give way to all manned aircraft

Quick answers

Is it hard to fly a drone? Modern GPS drones hover on their own. Most people can fly basic moves in their first session.

Should I use a simulator? It helps, especially for FPV. DJI offers a free Virtual Flight app.

What's the best first drone? A sub-250 g GPS drone like the Mini 4 Pro or the budget Mini 2 SE. See best drones for beginners.

Related guides

• Can you fly a drone in your neighborhood or other residential areas?
• How to change the language in the DJI Fly app
• Is it hard to fly a drone? What beginners should expect
• Drone flying tips for beginners: your first 10 flights
• What is DJI Fly beginner mode (and should you turn it off)?
• Can the DJI Mini 3 fly waypoints? What to use instead

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