DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone – Getting Started Guide and Basics
You just got your brand new DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone and now it’s time to use it. How do you get started? What do you need to know before flying?
Find all of this out and much more in our article and video guide below! This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get started, ensuring a safe and enjoyable first flight experience.
Getting Started with the DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone
Watch the video overview on our YouTube. Read more specifics below in our article.
Initial Setup
Unboxing and Charging: Begin by unboxing your Mini 4 Pro. Locate the charging hub and connect it to a power source. Insert the drone’s battery into the hub to charge fully.
You can use any standard wall plug to charge the charging hub with the batteries inside. You’ll need either a USB-C to USB-C cable or USB-A to USB-C cable depending on your wall plug. Typically USB-C to USB-C will charge faster so keep this in mind if speed matters when charging your drone.
Inserting the Battery and MicroSD Card: Once charged, insert the battery into the drone’s compartment on the back. Make sure you open all the wings very gently first before inserting the battery.
Also, insert a MicroSD card into the designated slot to store your flight footage. This goes in the bottom of the drone near the USB-C slot under the DJI logo and power button if you’re looking down at the drone.
Connecting the RC and Drone
Powering On: Press and hold the power button on both the drone and the remote controller (RC) until the lights turn on. On the drone you’ll press it once first and then hold it after while you watch all four lights turn on and light up. Once they do you’ll usually hear a little sound that indicates the drone is on. Same thing for the remote controller power button.
Linking the RC and Drone: Once you turn the drone and the remote controller on, they will initially need to be connected. On the first ever use, I had to play around with this a little bit.
Ensure the network is connected or that you have a mobile hotspot/wifi network somewhere in the beginning to make sure you can sync everything. You also may need to install firmware updates or other software updates pushed by DJI.
Once completed, the drone and RC should link automatically. For me it took a little bit of figuring out on the first day, but all subsequent flights, the drone and RC have connected instantly. Any time I’ve run into a problem I just have to reset the connection.
One other thing you may encounter is authorized airspace. This requires you to be connected to the internet so you can confirm DJI terms and conditions before before approved to fly. They will send you a code to your phone and then you enter the code to gain approval. I haven’t encountered this a ton, but keep it in mind.
Pre-Flight Checklist
Calibration: Calibrate the compass and IMU as instructed in the DJI Fly app to ensure accurate flight data. Sometimes you’ll also have to recalibrate the gimbal, but typically the drone will do this automatically.
Firmware Updates: Like I already mentioned above, for every new flight it’s always a good idea to check for any firmware updates for the drone and RC. Update them if necessary to ensure optimal performance.
Environment Check: Ensure you are in a clear, open area free from obstacles. Check the weather conditions to ensure safe flying. Do not fly in rain, severe wind, thunder/lightning, intense fog, or at night. The sensors will not work as well or at all and you may lose your drone. Trust me when I say this, it’s always better to play it safe than sorry when flying your drone!
First Flight
Takeoff: With the remote controller in hand, press the small arrow on the left side of the screen to initiate takeoff. It will open up another screen with a circular button that you press and hold to launch your flight. It takes about 3-5 seconds of pressing to fully take off. Then your drone will hover about 5 or 6 feet off the ground in the air.
Familiarize yourself with the basic controls, such as ascending, descending, and maneuvering. Use the left and right sticks to move up and down, left and right, side to side, spin the drone. Use the scroll wheel on the left side of the controller to move the camera angle up and down, and use the right scroll wheel to zoom in and out.
Flight Practice: Start out by flying at a low altitude to get comfortable with the controls and practice. I would recommend attempting some basic maneuvers like hovering, turning, and ascending. Really take your time. The batteries last pretty long on this drone so you don’t have to rush!
Landing: When ready to land, bring the drone to a low altitude and use the landing button on the RC or the DJI Fly app. Always land on a flat surface and try to land on a paved road, a table, or somewhere without any debris around. I’ve landed in grass before or near plants, because there were no other options, and it caused some damage to the propellers.
The better you get at landing, the safer your drone will be long term. You can preserve the health of the systems by always having a solid spot to takeoff/land.
After learning about your new drone and how to use everything, we recommend getting your recreational drone certificate from the FAA if you are based in the United States of America. This is required by law for all recreational fliers, so it’s a good idea to do this before you start flying.
How to Complete Your Recreational Drone Safety Certification Test from the FAA
When you first start out flying drones, you will need to get a recreational drone certificate from the FAA to ensure you are safely and legally flying in the United States. It’s a simple, online test that takes about 30 minutes. In this video we’ll cover how to access and complete this test to receive your certificate.
This applies to all drones under 250g or around .55 lbs. If your drone is larger you will need to register it and get more advanced certifications. We’ll cover some of this as it relates to commercial video production in later videos.
Learn how to get your recreational drone certificate from the Federal Aviation Authority.
What is TRUST?
The law requires that all recreational flyers pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test and provide proof of passage if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel. The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) was developed to meet this requirement.
IMPORTANT LINKS
1. FAA Government Website – The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) – https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/knowledge_test_updates#TAs
2. UAV Coach – Take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) – https://uavcoach.com/faa-recreational-drone-training/
3. B4UFLY for iOS, Android, and Desktop – FAA service (apps) to show you where you can and cannot fly – https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly
Additional Safety Tips
- Respect No-Fly Zones: Always check and respect no-fly zones using the DJI Fly app or other flight planning tools such as the B4UFLY App from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA).
- Maintain Line of Sight: Keep the drone within your line of sight to ensure safe and controlled flying.
- Monitor Battery Life: Keep an eye on the battery level and return the drone before it gets too low.
Hope you enjoy your DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone as much as I have been. It is a blast and you can have so much fun capturing the world in a while new way, from above! Stay safe and happy flying.
Find more tutorials, drone flights, and guides on our YouTube and blog.
