When you first set up the DJI Dock with a third-party provider like DroneDeploy, the media transfer component on DJI requires an update. Contact your DroneDeploy representative or your Dock admin to reboot the dock within the DroneDeploy system to ensure data uploads correctly.
Testing process
Follow these steps to conduct a test flight:
Open the Fly tab in your DroneDeploy project.
Locate the dock selector. If the selector does not appear, contact your DroneDeploy Solution Engineer or the Support team at support@dronedeploy.com.
Click the Select a Drone dropdown menu on the bottom left of the screen.
Select the dock you want to use for the flight plan.
Set up the RC Plus or RC Pro Enterprise as Controller B to the drone before the first flight test. Refer to the DJI setup manual for specific instructions.
Once you select the flight plan, a notification confirms the drone is connected. The DroneDeploy icon appears on the map at the dock location. The map plan duration, images and number of batteries update based on the connected dock.
Start pre-flight checks
The checklist confirms permissions and ensures the dock and drone are ready for flight. Use the following dock-specific checklist items:
Weather Check: Review real-time weather information from the dock to confirm favorable conditions.
Dock Camera Check: Verify the dock is functional and the area is clear of people before takeoff.
Drone Condition Verification: Open the dock to inspect the drone condition.
Manual Test: Test opening and closing the dock manually.
Feed Confirmation: Check the dock camera feed and drone camera feed to confirm you receive both feeds.
Conduct the test flight
Fly a small map plan over the top of the dock or a safe area close by using the DroneDeploy Flight page in the DroneDeploy Project. For more information, refer to the Dock Flight & Upload Guide.
Supported Missions: DroneDeploy supports all mission types except for manual flight.
Manual Control Test: Once the drone is in the air, ensure you can take control of the aircraft from the controller and return to the dock. Click the drone-shaped button on the RC and then press and hold the RTH button on the RC. If you cannot take control, return to the dock from the DroneDeploy UI and pair the controller again.
Telemetry Troubleshooting: If the blue aircraft arrow does not move on the map while the aircraft is flying, you are not receiving telemetry. This typically indicates an incorrectly configured aircraft serial number. You must register the dock again and enter the correct serial numbers. Contact your DroneDeploy representative for assistance.
Fly the small map again and verify the drone camera is working once the drone powers on. Note that the camera is typically off while inside the dock and will not show a feed at the start.
Monitor uploads
Once the drone lands and the dock closes, open the Upload tab to monitor photo uploads.
Transfer Buffer: It may take up to 5 minutes after the drone lands for images to appear, as the system must transfer data from the drone to the dock.
Photo and Pano Plans: Test Photo and Pano plans as needed. Because these files are smaller, they upload quickly after landing.
V2.2