DJI AIR 3 BEGINNERS GUIDE - Everything You Need to Know!

Are you thinking of buying the DJI Air 3? Here is everything you need to know to get started!
00:00 Introduction
00:42 The Controller
03:14 Batteries
05:39 The Aircraft
10:11 ND Filters
10:36 Preflight
15:17 Flight Settings
21:15 First Flight
29:28 Flight Tips
33:04 Controller Settings
46:46 Automated Flight Modes
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[@steveday2022]

Greg - You make the best videos, so thorough and detailed! Thank you for ALL you do for us!

[@carlosuhlmann2491]

This is, by far, the BEST drone instructional video I've ever seen! Being able to impart information and knowledge to others requires not only knowing the subject matter profoundly, but also being a good communicator. You excel at both. You covered every single aspect and technique at a pace that everyone can follow and in a manner that's not only clear to understand but also a pleasure to listen to. Your goal is not to impress the audience but to provide them valuable learning material that we'll be able to translate to skills which we'll surely appreciate Thank you for the time and effort spent putting together this video!

[@pdbordelon]

Bought mine today, should arrive next week. Ive learned so much from this video, thanks, Im excited!

[@duanethompson9847]

Wow! Great Air 3 beginners guide (with a lot of information that can apply to other drones). Thanks

[@edruttledge342]

Thanx Greg! I am a Part 107 certificated drone photographer that has been piloting "pro-sumer" drones for about eight years now. I've owned the original Mavic, the EVO 2, and Skydio 2/2+ (one of each). Since Skydio has dead-ended itself for my purposes, I am considering the Air 3. This video was helpful in reminding me of some of the DJI flight control basics as well as acquainting me with some of the new features. Be well.

[@Mister_EL.]

That was an excellent, thorough tutorial with a lot of useful information! Thank you!!!

[@charleswjohnson1]

Nice job!!!!! Great information best I've seen so far

[@moslem1928]

Definitely appreciate this video! Very detailed one ive seen yet on the Air 3, and will be using your institute when im ready to transition from recreational to part 107 certified.

[@johnnysager8899]

Very informative 👏 thanks 👍

[@JimBailey]

Thank you so much Greg: All your videos are well presented and so easy to understand. Thanks again and have a super day. :)

[@spowell793]

Thanks Greg very helpful

[@user-pw1go4dr4j]

It's a wonderful video. I'm looking forward to the next video.🎉

[@CliffordMontgomery-tk6bn]

Great video! I have a DJI Air S2 and plan to get a Air 3. Thank you again for this video

[@MattysDroneWorld]

One of the best reviews on the air 3 I've seen so far! You and Dobo going head to head lol...Billy is in there too haha...great job Greg! ❤🎉

[@Cellus002]

A great video like this deserves a like, comment, and subscribe

[@river1376]

Great Job Greg.. thank you again.

[@daviscrt]

Great information. Thanks Don

[@LadyMacbethII]

I have the same landing pad! I also have one of your free registration stickers on mine! And, I got a few of your online articles in my favorites folder. Thanks for sharing all this knowledge and free "stuff"!

[@eugeneyoung2803]

wow musoc volume 10, voice volume 3. Great editing!

[@lucioestrada9237]

Good information thanks for sharing hello from Tolleson Arizona

[@STOLrover]

I didn’t even know you guys did drone stuff. I’ve watched your videos with regular pilot fixed wing stuff. I’ve had a 107 for a few years and fly an indigo for my work. Just bought an air 3 for personal use. Thanks for the video.

[@karlmadsen3179]

excellent video

[@MaverickEchoJuliet]

Great review🎉

[@ghkphotographyayyappastudi6535]

Very Nice Explanation 🎉🎉😊

[@dr.gregoryf.maassen2637]

Very good point in the video to ensure that the RTH altitude is lower than the LAANC approved ceiling. Something to be cognizant of.

[@kengrimm9709]

I use the "CrystalSky" monitor and it was an absolute game changer for broad daylight operations, it just doesn't work with the entire product line. The other drones using the smartphone camera, which does not play well in the sun, adds a frustrating layer to the process. The RC-N2 controller is a god send. That alone is worth the upgrade to me, the other great features of this platform are just bonus.

[@Starlite4321]

Man ! I'm taking your excellent 107 course and just bought an Air 3 and now I find THIS course - the goodness never stops with you guys at PI !! I have a question: DJI stated over two years ago that all of their drones going forward would support the new Remote ID requirement. They've offered F/W updates to other models to accomplish that well before the A3 was released. There is a non-DJI post on-line showing how to find the A3 RID number for registration. My A3 often shows a status line saying RID "functionality normal" and provides a code. Your video here shows that too at 16:16 ! But there are also reports stating DJI is late releasing a F/W update with RID for the A3. When I registered mine with the FAA and looked for the RID code, all I could find were S/Ns (in settings>About). Knowing the A3 MUST have RID I selected "my drone has RID" in their registration form and tried entering the A/C S/N (which is the same as the controller S/N) into the RID box on the form and it accepted it ! So I assumed that DJI must have made the RID the same as the S/N for this model ? But I'm not so sure that's correct. There's absolutely nothing about it in any provided downloadable or on-line DJI documentation. It's not even mentioned ! What the HELL is really going on !?!? Thanks !

[@frankstone]

Thank you for this tutorial. Can you please slow how to create "waypoints?"

[@BigFireDave]

From what I have seen of other pilots that memory in the controller is very much worth it. IF for whatever reason, the drone crashes the backup of the screen in the controller will help get you within reasonable distance of the location of the drone... or what's left of it. lol Does it have provisions for the transponder? is there an audible signal that th drone can broadcast to help ou find it when you get close???

[@Nigelannelouise]

Hi Greg, another great detailed video. I enjoy how they are produced assuming that the viewer has limited to no knowledge. Will you be covering Waypoints in a follow up video. I am really excited that they have included this in the Air 3. For me that is the reason along with 2 lenses and 360 avoidance that are swaying me to upgrade from my Mini 2 and Air 2S. I can fly Waypoints using the Litchi App but I think it may be better having the DJi dedicated Waypoints.Thank You to the whole team and your weekly updates. Even here in the UK I enjoy the content. Stay Safe. Nigel G

[@PilotInstitute]

Yes, now that we are back from Oshkosh, we can do more testing!

[@johnr2391]

Probably why it's called a beginners guide.

[@nxtlvh]

Yeah I could go for one of those help keep the sand dow 12:23

[@jaxskyGabbo]

Any plans to make an advance video and post on your website as a training?

[@kengrimm9709]

At the 41:30 time you mention using 12MP for night flying and allude to a video (pointing to air on my screen) on tips on that subject. Will you please point me to that specific video you are mentioning on why 12MP and night flying are a thing? Thank you!

[@8MilesHigh54]

Excellent and amazing information you give us. What means bij inserting the SD card into the drone: Face down ? All the best for you where ever you are on this planet.

[@PilotInstitute]

It means you need to orient the camera with the face of the card facing towards the ground. It will make sense once you get the drone.

[@maddyc503]

Tx, can we use 3X lens for 360 Sphere?

[@VideomapTV]

Please do a comparison video with Mavic Dji 3 Classic Vs Dji Air3 Please Please

[@raytbrown2]

Thank you for the video. But your description of the battery was confusing. Either is doesn't overcharge or it does. If It stops charging, why do I need to unplug it (so that it doesn't overcharge)?

[@shawnttttroubleinterrorist8832]

would love to see the same battery charger for the mavic 3

[@stevemarkovic9326]

Does the RC n2 have the same range?

[@gregorysmith293]

Love how you cover literally *everything*. The only thing left is to play with the features and get to know them well. One thing, though. I can't find the deep dive for the Air 3 on your site. Is it not up yet?

[@PilotInstitute]

Unfortunately we had to delay it due to travel to an air show right when the drone was released.

[@littlenel17]

Can i download Drone Deploy and other third party mapping mission apps on the RC Pro controller?

[@Frigobar_Ranamelonico]

Hi, i live in europe so the mini 4 pro is limited to 120mt; do you think this drone (the air 3) will be a good drone to use while hiking and basically used only on mountain? (Mostly from peaks). Also this will be my first drone

[@elliott8385]

51:06 "That's what she said." Thank you Don, lmao

[@Mavericks007]

how do you change units from meters to miles?

[@silekiernanphotography]

Greg, what airspace are you in?

[@HebronGrandpa]

Think I will stick with my Mini3 Pro. The graduate to the Mavic 3 Pro.

[@marshallbreite4647]

Thanks for a great video as usual. At the end, you mentioned that you have a Deep Dive for this drone, but when I logged in, I do not see the Air 3. Am I missing something? Thanks!!

[@PilotInstitute]

Unfortunately we were hoping to get it done on time but couldn’t because of traveling to EAA Air Venture. We will finish it up next week!

[@marshallbreite4647]

@@PilotInstitute No problem. Thanks for the reply.

[@andywright4233]

No link for take off mat

[@papat7663]

I have an old Phantom Pro 4 plus I'm wondering about compass calibration

[@12vibaba]

I would say, if you fly for the first time with a drone, update the firmware and calibrate the compass. always calibrate the compass if the drone is a long distance from the area it usually flies.

[@courtneygillespie2601]

Newbie is this a good first drone

[@thriftysurvivor6117]

Thanks for sharing Greg. Do we know if the RC 2 controller is compatible with other DJI drones, such as the Mavic 3 series? I noticed that if you go to the DJI website if you check compatibility for the RC 2 controller that it only shows the Air 3.

[@PilotInstitute]

No compatibility information yet.

[@thriftysurvivor6117]

@@PilotInstitute Thanks Greg for your reply.

[@JoshConnectMedia]

It's not compatible for now.. as no firmware is out yet and also the system it's using is slightly different from the other drones like mini series and mavic series.

[@thriftysurvivor6117]

@@JoshConnectMedia That's what I was afraid of. I guess that's DJI's way of making us buy the next generation of drones. Truth be told, the range on the Mavic 3 series with the DJI RC is already great; the only issue I sometimes have is when I'm out a ways and drop down between buildings, sometimes I lose connection.

[@JasonWithrow-bi3ho]

my remote just keeps asking me a bunch of questions it wont connect to the drone

[@jessegarcia4224]

I have a doubt about the Air 3. 4K/60fps HDR. Is this function automatic? Because on the mini 3 pro it clearly says HDR if you record in 24-30 fps. But with the Air 3 no such visible option is available. I just got my Air 3 yesterday. So does it record HDR automatic? Or do I need to change anything?

[@stevesexton6194]

Hi Jesse, I believe you would need to use HLG mode to take advantage of HDR. I don't have the Air 3 yet but that would be my guess.

[@michaelekdahl2245]

Hi, How do I record to the sd card on the DJI AIR 3? It seems to only record to internal storage.

[@PilotInstitute]

You can go in the settings and change where the data is recorded.

[@alexkooistra]

Where did you get the ND's from? Not available anywhere, not even at DJI

[@PilotInstitute]

They sent them to us with the drone. They may be released in the future.

[@GruffaloDrone]

Hello Greg, is there any chance for sending me registration stickers in Europe/Greece? I would like to pay for shipping costs!

[@dennisbrooks240]

If you step away from the pad do you see a separate green arrow by the yellow circle showing which way you are facing?

[@PilotInstitute]

I’m not sure I understand your question, Dennis.

[@dennisbrooks240]

@@PilotInstitute So many iterations of that multi-function display. I miss the line that tilted with the drone so you could see it tilting up, down and sideways It gave a good indication when fighting a crosswind. I thought there were two symbols in the center, the yellow H disk for the takeoff point and one for the transmitter? I have flown too many different drones teaching newbies in the club. The last was a Holy Stone that a friend’s 30 year old niece brought when she visited from California. Brand new, but could not get her to return. Went through ground school, registration and first flights. She did real well with the Holy Stone, for what it was, and with a V-COPTR Falcon we had up that day. Her Uncle was NOT interested in letting her 3rd flight be with his Mavic 3.

[@PilotInstitute]

Dennis, I think you asked me earlier about the 172 Deep Dive and wings Credit but I can't find our conversation... but anyhow, it was approved, so you can request credits at the end of the course now.

[@bmorebones]

We have the "weather channel"

[@1106gary]

I don't see the sensors that give avoidance above the drone?

[@PilotInstitute]

They are in the corners.

[@blackdragon6227]

What is the best SD card for DJI Air 3?

[@Frigobar_Ranamelonico]

Probably the SanDisk Extreme pro

[@mariomorales2659]

Hi Gred. Do you know how long it takes to charge the batteries. Cause I think mine are taking forever. Thanks.

[@PilotInstitute]

Are you using the provided charging brick?

[@mariomorales2659]

@@PilotInstitute yes, sir

[@mariomorales2659]

@PilotInstitute I started last night at 9pm and still charging the first one at 8:45am.

[@mariomorales2659]

@@PilotInstitute I updated firmware also.

[@PilotInstitute]

Yeah that's definitely not right. Are you using the provided cable? It might be defective.

[@papat7663]

What about compass calibration

[@PilotInstitute]

What about it?

[@naoufelalimoussa7259]

You guys still ship free drone faa number stickers ?

[@PilotInstitute]

Yes, www.pilotinstitute.com/free.

[@Reviews4fun1]

Small legible horizontal text, clean cut on white paper and cover with a strip of clear tape. Done ✅

[@LetsG0BrandonFJB]

Is the DJI A3 a bigger drone than the mavic Air 2

[@PilotInstitute]

Yes it is.

[@yomango35]

Thank you for the review , I will be waiting for the DJI Air 3 S instead..... specially like you say 27 minutes of flying is not 45 minutes as advertised .:((((

[@PilotInstitute]

Keep in mind it was 37 minutes, and ours was at very high altitude, so it is pretty close to the advertised time.

[@lindseyjohn4789]

Is this drone equip with remote ID?

[@PilotInstitute]

Yes. Fully compliant.

[@stevesexton6194]

@@PilotInstitute This seals the deal for me, thanks...

[@ge1773]

9:25 Insert the SD card "face down." Which side of an SD card is "face down?" Greg, you are usually very detailed and deliberate in your motions but not here. I called DJI who told me to put the side with the copper connectors up. I went back and paused your video as you raced through inserting the SD card and was able to confirm that you insert it with the copper connectors facing up. Often when I'm viewing KZbin videos, the part I'm trying to see is the part the KZbinr thinks everybody knows.

[@PilotInstitute]

The “face” is the side with the sticker. Should have been more descriptive.

[@ronaldwilson9525]

Great job as always. I’m picking up an Air 3 as soon as my tax return comes in.

[@mikel9741]

I've been struggling with purchasing the new A3. But after spending $1200 for the RC Pro controller for my A2S and M3C I just can't pull the trigger.

[@johnnyyu68927]

For the Air 3's Panorama function selections, the Wide Angle selection still makes me disappointed again, the boarders of 9 pictures frame stitched or merged still terrible at all just same as the Air 2S does~ Also the Vertical selection the same~ I missed the perfect frameless stitched broader did by the Air 2 drone~

[@125blackjack]

Why is everything out lined in red

[@DesertAdventuresinArizona]

Over exposure?

[@PilotInstitute]

It’s called focus peaking, it helps figure out what’s in focus.

[@mr.eggplant866]

The spy on me drone.

[@nxtlvh]

I live in a sandbox

[@nascardude86]

Why does nobody on KZbin actually pronounce it dji. Everyone says dgi

[@brennan2007]

You know, I have the same exact nitpick. I'm like, "HOW does everyone do this?" However, I've been actually saying, instead of typing "DJI" a lot recently, and when just weaving it into to a normal conversation in a casual way, it often DOES sound like I said "DGI", even when I KNOW I didn't. It's not that they don't know, or are saying it wrong, it's just how it sounds, and the way those specific letters interact when they roll off the tongue.

[@brennan2007]

Legit, question... WHY "cine, normal, sport"? That's such a weird way kf putting it. If a person didn't do pre-purchase research, or edutcate themselves through tutorials, they would have NO IDEA what this button does. It's in no way intuitive. "C N S"? I think people would be more likely to guess that "sport" mode was "slow" mode, and "cine" was either unknown or perhaps "custom". Why not just "S N F", slow, normal, fast, or rabbit/turtle? Even "- o +", which would be language agnostic THOSE would be intuitive. I think the majority of mini/air owners aren't using them for professional cinema film making, and "sport" just doesn't really make any sense, like it would with a car or something.

[@jamesclark4]

That is such a joke for 400ft flight no plane will fly less then 500 ft

[@PilotInstitute]

Incorrect. Plenty of aircraft fly below 400 feet, even outside of airport.

[@jamesclark4]

@PilotInstitute shows how much you know lmao all pilots never go below 500 unless in an emergency

[@jamesclark4]

@@PilotInstitute and you wonder why 1 out of 10 people dislike your video for children

[@PilotInstitute]

14 CFR 91.119(d). Look it up, you’ll learn something today. I’ll even copy/paste it for you: (d) Helicopters, powered parachutes, and weight-shift-control aircraft. If the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface- (1) A helicopter may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, provided each person operating the helicopter complies with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA; and

[@PilotInstitute]

And I don’t wonder why 1 out of 10,000 people dislike our video. But I do wonder why people like you have to make up their own stats thinking it will make them look smarter when misquoting regulation that’s black and white and available publicly.

[@FlyZoneFpv]

Awesome Greg 🦾🦾🙌 yes great guide bro