To fly an FPV drone, you wear goggles that show a live feed from the drone's camera and steer from that first-person view. The easiest start is an assisted FPV drone like the DJI Avata 2 with Goggles 3 and the RC Motion 3, which hovers, brakes and steers where you point. Full "acro" FPV, where the drone never levels itself, takes simulator practice first. In the US you also need a visual observer standing next to you, because goggles don't count as line of sight.
What you need
| Gear | Assisted start (DJI) | Acro / freestyle |
|---|---|---|
| Drone | DJI Avata 2 | Avata 2 in Manual mode, or a custom quad |
| Goggles | DJI Goggles 3 | Goggles 3 or N3 |
| Controller | RC Motion 3 (point and fly) | FPV Remote Controller 3 (sticks) |
| Practice | Open field | PC simulator plus open field |
The three flight modes
- Normal: holds position, brakes when you let go, and limits speed. Start here.
- Sport: faster, same assistance. Use it once turns feel natural.
- Manual (acro): no auto-leveling, no hover, no braking. You control throttle and attitude directly. On the Avata 2 it needs the FPV Remote Controller 3 and must be turned on in the goggles. DJI tells pilots to practice in simulators first.
A learning plan that works
- Read the controls. On the RC Motion 3: press the lock button twice to start motors, press and hold to take off; press the accelerator to fly toward the circle in your view; tilt to turn. Full table in Avata 2 quick start.
- Fly line of sight first. Hover, turn and land a few times without goggles while your observer watches.
- Goggles on, Normal mode. Fly slow laps of a big field. Practice smooth turns and steady height.
- Simulator time. Even assisted pilots get better faster with a simulator. DJI lists Liftoff, Uncrashed, DRL and DCL as compatible with the FPV Remote Controller 3. See practice drone flying on PC.
- Sport mode and Easy ACRO. Add speed, then the Avata 2's flips, rolls and power loops with plenty of altitude.
- Manual mode only after you can fly a full simulator battery without crashing.
Next skills are in FPV flying techniques.
Rules for FPV in the US
- Register drones of 250 g or more. The Avata 2 is 377 g. See FAA registration.
- TRUST certificate for recreational flyers. See TRUST test.
- Visual observer: the FAA lets recreational pilots use an observer who is physically next to them and in direct contact, instead of watching the drone themselves.
- Stay at or below 400 ft, away from people and moving vehicles, and get LAANC approval near airports.
- Paid FPV work needs Part 107.
More in are FPV drones legal.
Courses, clubs and trainers
You don't need a class to fly recreationally, but a local club or a Part 107 prep course can speed things up. Many pilots learn at a club field with an experienced spotter. A simulator plus a USB radio is the cheapest "trainer" there is.
Crashes happen
FPV means crashes. The Avata 2 has built-in prop guards and supports turtle mode to flip itself over. Add DJI Care Refresh when you activate, and keep spare props on hand. If you do crash, see Avata 2 crash: what to do.
Ready to start? Compare beginner options in best FPV drone for beginners.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Related guides
- Which app does the DJI Avata 2 use? DJI Fly setup guide
- DJI Avata 2 controllers: RC Motion 3 vs FPV Remote Controller 3
- DJI Avata 2 for real estate fly-through videos
- DJI Avata 2 vs DJI FPV: cinewhoop or speed machine?
- DJI Avata 2 vs Mini 4 Pro: FPV fun or all-round camera drone?
- FPV flying techniques: orbits, dives, sharp turns and landing
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