How to Use the Remote Control for a DJI Mavic Air

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Mavic Air remote control ready for flight.


The DJI Mavic Air is an ultraportable and foldable drone featuring high-end flight performance and functionality for limitless exploration and adventure. The remote control allows you to pilot the drone wirelessly and attach a mobile device to view the drone's camera.

This guide will show you the basics of how to use the remote control for the DJI Mavic Air drone.

2. RC Layout

Components annotated on Spark remote control.
  1. Return-to-Home (RTH) button
  2. Status LED
  3. Battery level LEDs
  4. Power button
  5. Flight Pause button
  6. Flight Mode switch
  7. Function button
  8. USB assistant video link port
  9. Control sticks
  10. Mobile device clamps
  11. Antennas
Side buttons annotated on Spark remote control.
  1. Shutter button
  2. Record button
  3. Customizable button
  4. Gimbal dial
Charging port on Mavic Air remote control.
  1. Micro USB charging / main video link port

3. How to Proceed?

Please select an option to proceed.

4. Charge RC

  1. Attach the Micro USB adapter to the provided USB cable.
Micro USB adapter being attached to USB cable.
  1. Plug the small connector of the USB cable into the left side of the remote control.
USB cable being plugged into remote control.
  1. Connect the remote control to the charging adapter and plug the adapter into a power outlet.
Remote control and charging hub connected to power adapter.
  1. You will see the lights on the remote control scrolling until they will turn off meaning it is fully charged.
Remote control lights showing charging progress.

5. Turn On RC & Drone

To complete the following steps, you will need both your remote control and drone handy.

On the Remote Control

  1. Press and release the power button, then press it again quickly and hold it until you hear it make the initialization sound.
Power button highlighted on remote control.

On the Drone

  1. Make sure the drone is unfolded and gimbal cover is removed so the propellers and gimbal can move freely during the warm-up process.
Gimbal cover being removed from drone.
  1. Press and release the power button, then press it again quickly and hold it until you hear it make the initialization sound.
Power button highlighted on bottom of drone.

6. Link RC

The remote control is linked with the drone out of the box. They only need to be linked if you can no longer pilot the drone with the remote control.

To complete the following steps, you will need both your drone and remote control handy.

Ensure the drone and remote control are within 20 inches of each other.

On the Drone

  1. Press and hold the function button on the rear end of the drone for about two seconds and release it when you hear a single beep.
Function button highlighted on rear of Mavic Air.

On the Remote Control

  1. Press and hold the Flight Pause button, Function button and Customizable button simultaneously until the remote control starts beeping.
Linking buttons highlighted on remote control.
  1. The drone and remote control will be linked when the status indicator light turns solid green.
Status LED pointed out on remote control.

7. Connect Mobile Device to RC

Depending on the size of your mobile device and where the connection port is located on it, there are two ways to connect it to the remote control:

Using the Clamp Connector

  1. Unfold the mobile device clamps.
RC being unfolded.
  1. Align the side connector on the left clamp with the port on the mobile device.
Side connector on RC highlighted and slide direction pointed out.
  1. If your mobile device has a home button in the middle, make sure it's positioned between the bigger teeth of the clamp.
Clamp teeth pointed out, to properly position mobile device.
  1. Insert the mobile device into the left clamp first, then into the right clamp to secure it.
Arrows pointing how to fold the clamps.

Using the Extension Cable

  1. Unfold the mobile device clamps.
RC being unfolded.
  1. Push the side connector into the outward position on the left clamp.
Side connector positions on left clamp of RC.
  1. Disconnect side cable from the remote controller.
Side cable disconnected from the remote controller.
  1. Connect the provided USB cable into the bottom port of the remote controller.
USB cable plugged into bottom of remote controller.
  1. Insert the mobile device into one of the clamps first, then into the other one to secure it.
Mobile device being inserted into remote controller clamps.
  1. Connect the Micro USB end of the cable into the side port of the mobile device.
Micro USB connector being plugged into side mobile device.

8. Safety First

As with all Drone flying, please keep the following in mind:

  • Make sure you are properly registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, or qualify to fly without registration.
  • Make sure you have permission to fly from the person or group that owns the land you'll be over.
  • Make sure you are in-touch with the control tower before flying near an airport.
  • Make sure there's no obstructions, such as power lines or trees, above your flight area that could cause problems.
  • Make sure there's no one below your flight area that could be hurt.
  • Make sure you are not near government infrastructure or other sensitive properties.
  • Make sure the weather is safe to fly in.
  • Make sure you keep your drone in your sight at all times, and get help from an observer if necessary.

For more detailed information, please visit:
http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/

9. Flight Controls

To Fly Your Drone Using the Remote Control:

  • Turn the motors on or off using both sticks. Pull them downwards and towards each other, or downwards and away from each other.
Turning the engine on and off with the remote control.
  • Use the left stick to change altitude going up or down as if on a vertical axis or rotate left or right as if around a vertical axis.
Drone movement using left stick of remote control.
  • When taking off or landing, slowly push the left stick up or pull it down, respectively.
  • Use the right stick to fly forward, backward, left or right as if in a horizontal plane.
Drone movement using right stick of remote control.