Review and Demo of the DJI RC Pro 2 & RC 2 Built-In Flight Simulator

• The DJI RC Pro 2 controller, launched with the Mavic 4 Pro, comes with a built-in flight simulator, DJI Simulator, on the DJI Fly app.

• Via DJI Fly app firmware update 1.17.0, this simulator is also available on the RC 2.

• A hands-on look at the built-in flight simulator – practise flying your aircraft with precision using easy-to-follow tutorials.

• Features incredible graphics, real-time response, and multiple viewpoint options for a realistic flying experience.

• Build confidence in your pilot skills safely on the ground with this hyper-realistic simulation.

• heliguy™ training team demo the software and call it "a brilliant training tool – there’s nothing else like it".

• DJI Fly App integration offers clear guides, tutorials, and helpful tips directly on your RC screen.

DJI launched the RC Pro 2 with the Mavic 4 Pro. This controller includes a built-in flight simulator, which is also available on the RC 2 via a firmware update.

This pre-installed tool helps drone pilots of all levels practise their skills, learn how to make the most of their controller, and operate the camera to get the best out of the Mavic 4 Pro’s 100MP Hasselblad camera, dual telephoto lenses, and fully rotatable Infinity Gimbal.

This hyper-realistic training tool allows pilots to safely practise flying the Mavic 4 Pro in Cine, Normal, and Sport modes, with real-time visuals and accurate response.

We’ll show what the simulator looks like, explain its key features, and share insights from heliguy™ training team member Lois Smith, who trialed the software on the RC Pro 2.

Getting started with the built-in flight simulator

To begin, open the DJI Fly app on your RC Pro 2 or RC 2 and look for the simulator button at the top of the interface. Tap it, then select ‘Enter Flight Tutorial’. Your display will instantly mirror what you’d see during an actual flight.

Check out our video demo, we show you what your first course will look like from begining to end.

You’ll be guided through the basics of the controller with helpful on-screen prompts. The RC Pro 2 graphic highlights which buttons to press and explains their functions as you go.

It’s recommended to start in Cine mode, the slowest flight setting, while building up your confidence. Once comfortable, you can progress to Normal and Sport modes for faster, more dynamic practice.

The simulator is highly realistic. It prompts you to complete pre-flight safety checks before taking off and mimics drone movements with impressive accuracy. Manoeuvres respond in real time, and the built-in GPS tracking keeps your home point clearly visible and updates its position as you fly.

Once airborne, you can explore a detailed virtual landscape. The scenery is immersive, and the building placement is ideal for practising obstacle avoidance in realistic scenarios.

Virtual surroundings

Getting started with the simulator

As you take off, you’ll notice how closely the drone’s behaviour mirrors real-world flight, movements are smooth, responsive, and accurate to your controls.

Throughout the flight, you receive real-time alerts if you fly too close to buildings or other obstacles. Just like in a live mission, obstacle avoidance indicators appear on the display, helping you adjust your flight path safely.

You can switch between first-person view, which replicates the drone camera feed, and third-person view, where you see the drone from a distance. This flexibility is useful for both orientation training and learning how to frame shots effectively.

The simulator also includes full GPS functionality, tracking your home point as you move. If needed, you can activate the Return to Home feature, which performs just as it would in the air, complete with on-screen notifications and audio cues.

Additionally, there is an exercise where you fly your virtual drone through a series of large gold hoops, helping you improve your coordination and accuracy with a fun element to it.

The entire experience is designed to build confidence in a risk-free environment, while teaching you to manage real flight scenarios with precision.

Immersive practice with the camera and gimbal controls

A key part of the training focuses on camera operation.

The simulator guides you through adjusting camera settings, capturing images, and managing gimbal movement, making sure you're prepared to get the most out of the Mavic 4 Pro’s 100MP Hasselblad camera, dual telephoto lenses, and 360-degree Infinity Gimbal.

Training and customisation features

The simulator gives you a hands-on introduction to the RC Pro 2, offering a quick-start guide to all the key buttons and controls. Interactive prompts highlight each input, so you learn exactly what to press and when. You can also customise the C1 and C2 buttons on the back of the controller to suit your flying style.

To help you learn at your own pace, the simulator includes a cruise control feature, ideal for slower, more controlled practice.

On-screen tips guide you through camera positioning and gimbal manoeuvres, helping you develop smooth, professional-grade aerial footage techniques.

Learn More with the DJI Fly App

The DJI Fly app adds extra value to your training by offering built-in resources designed to support pilots at every stage. You’ll find flight guides, step-by-step tutorials, and helpful tips to get the most out of your RC and Mavic 4 Pro, as well as a wide range of other DJI aircraft.

For those who want to go beyond solo practice, the app includes an optional community section. Here, you can connect with other DJI users, share experiences, ask questions, and pick up useful flying and filming techniques.

heliguy™ Training Team tests the RC Pro 2 built-in flight simulator

To understand how the Built-in simulator performs in real training conditions, we asked heliguy™ training team member Lois Smith to put it to the test with our RC Pro 2 controller—and her feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Lois says:

"The built-in flight simulator on the RC Pro 2 is a brilliant training tool – there’s nothing else like it."

Lois praised the simulator’s exceptional quality, highlighting its real-time response, realistic flight behaviour, and hyper-realistic training value for both new and experienced pilots.

Lois shared:

"I was particularly impressed by the visual demos showing which sticks to use and the obstacle avoidance prompts—it’s a great way to safely practise flying on the ground."

One key advantage Lois noted was the ability to safely practise Sport mode, the fastest flight setting. In the simulator, operators can develop precise control of the aircraft at high speeds, helping to improve accuracy and flight safety without putting real equipment at risk.

Overall, Lois was impressed with the simulator’s ease of use and accessibility, hyper-realistic graphics and response times, and the realism of core flight features such as pre-flight safety checks, home point tracking, and obstacle avoidance.

She’s optimistic that this will be an incredibly useful training tool, not only for helping pilots fly more safely, but also for building confidence and encouraging good habits out in the field.

heliguy™ Review:

The built-in flight simulator on the DJI RC Pro 2 and RC 2 is an impressive and practical tool for pilots of all levels. From our hands-on testing, it stands out as a hyper-realistic training environment, complete with detailed visuals, real-time feedback, and accurate flight behaviour that closely mirrors real-world conditions.

It’s also incredibly easy to access—there’s no need to power up the aircraft. Just switch on the controller and launch the simulator through the DJI Fly app.

This makes it an excellent way to build confidence, practise safe flying, and refine your handling before heading out into the field. Features like pre-flight safety checks, home point tracking, and obstacle avoidance alerts are built in, adding to the realism and training value.

Limitations: At the time of writing, the simulator is only compatible with the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, and the only available course is the Beginner level. However, DJI has indicated within the simulator interface that more levels and additional drone compatibility are on the way.

Final thoughts

Overall, we're very impressed with this feature on the RC Pro 2 and look forward to seeing how future updates will expand the experience.

Try the built-in flight simulator on your RC Pro 2 or RC 2 to develop your drone piloting skills in a safe, realistic environment.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our heliguy™ training team.