DJI Avata 2 - Do I need a spotter? Liveview sharing is better than Real View PiP

With the new DJI Goggles 3 it is now possible to be your own spotter, ironically by not wearing the goggles. Watch to learn about the new Liveview Sharing feature and why Real View PiP is not a viable solution to keeping an eye on your drone and surroundings.
00:00 Intro
00:14 Googles over your eyes (NEED spotter)
00:20 Liveview Sharing (NO spotter)
00:42 Liveview Sharing through WiFi
01:12 Liveview Sharing with FPV Controller 3?
01:31 Real View PiP (STILL need spotter)
02:47 CARs definition of VLOS
03:23 Real View is Real Narrow
03:47 Cinewhoops and scanning for manned aircraft
04:39 Sheltered operations
05:24 Canada Gazette Article
DJI Avata 2 User Manual: dl.djicdn.com/downloads/DJI_A...
Canadian Aviation Regulations Part IX - Definitions: lois-laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/r...
Canada Gazette Article re: Sheltered operations: canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/...
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[@VisionCommunications]

Visual line of sight also means knowing exactly where the drone is. I am FAA part 107. I recall that part of my training and the first exam had a question about the drone temporarily not being seen, such as going behind a tree, but then reemerging at an anticipated location. We're also looking at the controller, so we're not always looking at the drone in the air at the same time. That's not possible. It's impossible to see the drone 100% of the time. But it's possible to know exactly where it is at all times. I always answer yes to maintaining visual line of site, because I know exactly where the drone is, and I know it presents no hazard to other aircraft.

[@bernardfouche5241]

I do this trick with HDZERO & Walksnail since their goggles ( and of course VTX) has an HDMI output. I live in France and the current regulation (which is still different from the EU one, the EU one should apply from 2026...) states that using a "video feedback" is not considered to be flying using "immersion", hence a second person isn't required anymore as long as the pilot has a correct perception of the drone and its environment. With a correct screen you can fly well, and sure it is more secure than goggles, for instance you hear some sound, and you can quickly check if there is something to consider, or not, while when you wear the goggles you can only guess.

[@dgaerialimagery]

I tried something like this with a regular FPV drone and it was a little scary controlling it without the goggles (maybe it was the location I was in). Since the Avata 2 has a brake and even operates like a regular DJI drone it makes this whole thing much easier. Did it take you a while to get used to flying like this with a regular FPV drone?

[@bernardfouche5241]

@@dgaerialimagery Getting used to it was nearly immediate, I saw no real differences and I even felt more comfortable. Try to get a screen with the lowest possible latency, a high speed refresh rate, and a good brightness, maybe your setup was adding lag or you were disturbed by reflections on the screen. I found that flying in front of a screen was very similar to using a flight simulator or playing with a FPS. It is nice to be able to check if there is nothing around the drone, if the car that you here in the distance isn't planning to go your way or to be able to have a sip of coffee ;-)

[@JaroslavBengl]

Thanks a lot for your comment on this topic. Necessity of having a spotter make my FPV flights in EU less common as I often go to the mountains alone. The workaround of using the phone as a screen could be useful. Liked 👍🏻Subscribed ⭐

[@rayang9929]

There is an adapter and i use this loophole to fly my quads without a spotter. Just fly with the goggles, if push comes to shove, you can always lie to the police that you flew line of site the whole time :)

[@dgaerialimagery]

I'm going to go ahead and officially recommend not lying to police. 😅😅😅

[@VisionCommunications]

Line of sight also means knowing exactly where the drone is. I am FAA part 107. I recall that part of my training and the first exam had a question about the drone temporarily not being seen, such as going behind a tree, but then reemerging at an anticipated location. We're also looking at the controller, so we're not looking at the drone in the air at the same time. That's not possible. It's impossible to see the drone 100% of the time. But it's possible to know exactly where it is at all times. I always answer yes to maintaining visual line of site, because I know exactly where the drone is, and I know it presents no hazard to other aircraft.

[@saraccofoto]

I got a cheap iPad mount and put an arca-swiss plate and put on a tripod in front of me and a long cable to connect to goggles and it seems to work well… not sure if this is the case for everyone, but I lose some functionality if I take the goggles completely off. I can tilt them up and keep on my head and look at the screen, but definitely need to stay on your head.

[@dgaerialimagery]

Nice. I tried the tripod approach with an iPhone but I find I prefer having it on the controller to be able to turn around and such. Either way I appreciate the option to fly it without a spotter. Really increases the value of the system for me. Happy flying!

[@thelongarmmarine]

I’ve got a chest mount that holds my TriplTek & can use the MC3…still waiting for my Controller 3

[@dgaerialimagery]

Chest mount seems like a good idea. Today I found holding the fpv controller with my phone mounted on it got a bit tiresome and took some agility out of my stick fingers.

[@nicolasotis]

In my opinion, the Avata 2 is a very safe drone to fly without a spotter. Of course, I'm not saying it's legal in the eyes of Transport Canada. I'm talking about common sense. Here's what makes the difference for me: 1 - It automatically goes back to normal mode (like a Mavic would) if it loses signal or if you exceed max altitude. 2 - The pause button is a life saver if you ever get in a precarious situation. Again, it goes back to normal mode very fast. 3 - The google view is so clean and hi definition, you practically fly like you are sitting on top of the drone. Plus, these things are intended to fly mostly forward (you never really have to go side to side or backward). Actually, I would argue that flying with PIP on is LESS safe than just flying normally with the Goggles on. As a Canadian, certified pilot for 10 years, 1000+ flight hours, I'm done bending backward and doing stupid stuff just to be "legal" in the eyes of people who know NOTHING about drones (Transport Canada). I've done enough in my career. I'm very careful when I fly FPV. I go to a remote area and I am very aware of my surroundings. But if TC wants to fine me for "not flying VLOS, they can go ahead and do it. 😅

[@dgaerialimagery]

Yea those features are huge. You make an interesting point about being safe and what the regulations require.

[@VisionCommunications]

I think what's most important is to fly safely at all times. It's also important to not let people see you, as it only raises unnecessary questions and distractions. I sit in my car when either flying my FPV or my traditional drone. I KNOW I'm safe, and that's what matters. I am FAA part 107 and have upmost respect for the community of responsible pilots. I have NO respect for people who have opinions, but don't actually fly drones and spent countless hours becoming better at the craft.

[@nicolasotis]

@@VisionCommunications 100%. I always try to make myself discrete when i fly, especially FPV. Of if someone sees me, i'll often make chit-chat with them. Most of the time, people are just curious and become really interested when you explain them what you're doing. When you bump into a Karen, you can either abord your plan or simply serve him/her the classic "I'm a professionnal, certified pilot and i'm paid to do this. Leave me to my work and i'll be gone real quick" 😂

[@VisionCommunications]

I sit in my car and fly Avata for commercial real estate in close quarters. Also fly interior, over which FAA or municipalities have no jurisdiction. Outdoors rules should be adapted for FPV using a cinewhoop style drone with prop guards and flying close to the ground, with no people present. “One size fits all” rules make no sense.

[@RayRay-zc2ed]

That would be awesome if they came out with a bracket!

[@Gijs_van_Elderen]

You can not look down at any screen. You need to have visual contact at all times with the drone. 😅 Nobody does that.

[@Argosh]

It's kinda sad how the amount of bad actors has screwed flying up for everyone. :(

[@dgaerialimagery]

Hello, thanks for the comment. In Canada the local regulations are interpreted to allow pilots to look at an FPV device while flying, even though the strict definition says we must have the drone in sight "at all times". Checkout TC AIM RPA 3.2.1.1. "The pilot may take his or her eyes off the aircraft for brief moments to operate the control station or perform other flight-critical tasks without being considered to have lost VLOS." Also check out TC AIM RPA 3.2.26 "If you are using an FPV system that reduces the field of view of the pilot, visual observers must be used."

[@dgaerialimagery]

I also think I may have missed your sarcasm LOL. Sorry about that.

[@Gijs_van_Elderen]

Yeah, sorry. But keep visual contact with the drone at all time. Means you’re not allowed to look at the controller or see what you are filming. 🤷‍♂️ EASA (Europe) rules are similar, but it says: the remote pilote is able to keep visual contact with the drone. So it’s allowed to look at a display and see what you are filming. Any way for FPV: i don’t have a spotter with me all the time. So switching between goggles and a phone display might come in handy. With a regular FPV drone this is not possible to do.

[@KmonCentz]

Lift Thor "Loki"... or... Sky Fire Aerial "FPV Mount" maybe???

[@dgaerialimagery]

These look promising. Thanks! Totally going to look into these.