What should a pilot do if the DJI Mavic 4 Pro loses control signal during flight?

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What should a pilot do if the DJI Mavic 4 Pro loses control signal during flight: When the DJI Mavic 4 Pro loses control signal during flight, the system automatically activates the Failsafe RTH (Return to Home) safety protocol. This system causes the drone to ascend to a predefined altitude to avoid obstacles and return to the home point recorded at the start of the flight. This mechanism depends on GPS stability and the pilot's previous configuration, so it is essential that the RTH altitude is correctly set before takeoff, considering trees, buildings, or other tall structures along the return route.

If the environment does not allow for a stable GPS signal, or if the pilot did not correctly define the home point, the drone may return to an incorrect location or not return at all. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid flying in urban canyons or in areas with multiple electromagnetic interferences. In these situations, the return may not be activated correctly, and the drone could enter ATTI mode, where navigation is maintained without GPS and with full manual control, which requires experience to operate.

Another useful preventative measure is enabling the “Failsafe Hover” option, which instead of returning, keeps the drone in the air if it loses connection with the controller. This feature is most useful for indoor flights or in environments where automatic return may pose a greater risk. However, the pilot should evaluate which configuration is most appropriate for their mission and check it on each flight, as environments and conditions vary.

If the signal is reestablished during the return process, the pilot can take manual control of the drone at any time. The DJI Fly app also allows real-time tracking of the drone's return path, helping to anticipate its arrival and prepare a safe landing zone. Understanding and practicing these recovery protocols prepares the operator to respond quickly and efficiently in the event of any unexpected disconnection.