🇺🇸 U.S.A. FIRST — DJI Agras Operator Training, Parts & Technical Support

Ares Acres is a U.S.-based agricultural robotics company supporting DJI Agras operators with aircraft, OEM replacement parts, technical tutorials and practical field-operation resources. This guide is part of the Ares Acres DJI Agras Operator Academy and focuses specifically on Manual (M) and Manual Plus (M+) operation using the DJI Agras T100 workflow demonstrated in the accompanying training video.

Operators can also explore the DJI Agras T100, DJI Agras T50, DJI Agras T100 parts, DJI Agras OEM parts, or the full Ares Acres product catalog.

DJI Agras T100 Tutorial: How to Operate Manual and Manual Plus Operations

Not every agricultural field is a clean rectangle that justifies building a complete automated route. Small plots, irregular boundaries, narrow areas, complex terrain and short application jobs can make a more flexible flight mode useful. That is where DJI Agras Manual and Manual Plus operation modes become important.

The central difference is operator workload. In Manual (M), the pilot assumes direct responsibility for aircraft movement, pass spacing, speed, height and application control. In Manual Plus (M+), the pilot still actively guides the aircraft, but the demonstrated workflow adds semi-automatic assistance such as preset task behavior, automatic flow adjustment as speed changes, assisted turns and Course Lock.

If you are still learning the remote-controller interface itself, begin with the DJI Agras remote-controller activation tutorial and the DJI Agras Remote Operation View tutorial. For operators who want full field planning and automated routes instead, see the DJI Agras T100 Route Mode tutorial.

What You Will Learn

• When Manual and Manual Plus modes make sense.
• How Manual (M) differs from Manual Plus (M+).
• How to prepare the remote controller, aircraft, positioning system and application system.
• How the demonstrated Manual spraying workflow is performed.
• How M+ uses preset parameters and speed-responsive application control.
• How U-turn assistance and lateral movement work.
• Why map-based direction cues matter during turns.
• How Course Lock can reduce unintended heading changes.
• Common mistakes that can produce gaps, overlaps or poor application consistency.

Manual vs. Manual Plus at a Glance

Feature	Manual (M)	Manual Plus (M+)
Primary purpose	Maximum direct pilot control	Semi-automatic assistance while the pilot still guides the aircraft
Advanced field planning	Not required for the demonstrated workflow	Does not require a full Route Mode mission plan
Aircraft movement	Pilot manually controls the passes and turns	Pilot commands forward movement and turn/lateral intent while the system follows preset task behavior
Application control	Pilot starts and stops spraying in the demonstrated workflow	Application begins automatically after the task is started in the demonstrated workflow
Speed management	Pilot workload is higher	Aircraft operates around the preset task speed while moving forward as demonstrated
Flow compensation	Pilot must closely manage operation quality	System adjusts spray/spread flow as aircraft speed changes in the demonstrated workflow
Turns	Manual turns, with on-screen U-turn assistance where available	Assisted U-turn and lateral-transition workflow
Heading assistance	Direct pilot control	Course Lock can help prevent unintended heading changes
Operator workload	Highest	Reduced, but still requires active piloting and supervision

When Should You Use Manual or Manual Plus?

The training video presents M and M+ as useful choices for small or complex fields where advanced field planning may not be necessary. They can also be useful when the shape of the application area makes a full automated route disproportionate to the size of the job.

That flexibility comes with responsibility. Manual operation requires the pilot to maintain accurate altitude, speed, route spacing and turn discipline. M+ reduces some workload, but it should not be treated as a fully autonomous mode. The operator remains responsible for aircraft control, situational awareness, boundaries, obstacles, application parameters and compliance.

For larger or more repetitive fields where a preplanned automated mission makes sense, compare this workflow with Route Mode field planning and task execution.

Before You Begin: Aircraft, Application System and Positioning

1. Power on the remote controller and aircraft

The video demonstrates the normal DJI power-button sequence for the remote controller, followed by installing the aircraft battery and powering on the aircraft. Confirm that the remote controller and aircraft are properly connected before entering the task area.

If the remote is new or has not yet been configured, use the remote-controller activation guide first. Ares Acres also carries Agras remote-controller support items such as the remote-controller tempered-glass screen protector and OEM remote-controller external antenna pair.

2. Prepare the spray system correctly

For a liquid-application task, load only a product and mixture that are permitted for the intended aerial application and compatible with the current DJI operating guidance. The video demonstrates holding the spray control for approximately two seconds to help remove trapped air from the liquid path before operation.

This priming step is important because trapped air or an incompletely prepared liquid system can interfere with consistent delivery. Treat the exact procedure shown in the video as model/interface-specific training and follow the current DJI manual and app prompts for the aircraft and payload configuration actually being used.

3. Confirm positioning health

The tutorial recommends confirming that the aircraft is receiving at least 15 satellites before proceeding. This is a tutorial recommendation, not a universal guarantee of positioning quality or flight safety. Operators should evaluate the actual positioning status shown by the aircraft and follow current DJI guidance.

If high-precision RTK positioning is required, the demonstrated workflow allows the operator to select a custom network RTK source or a D-RTK mobile station. For setup details, see the DJI Agras T100 D-RTK 3 tutorial.

How to Operate DJI Agras Manual Mode (M)

Manual mode gives the operator the greatest direct control and therefore demands the most precision. The pilot is effectively creating each pass in real time.

1. Enter the operation view. Confirm aircraft status, communication, positioning, battery level and application-system condition.
2. Select Manual operation mode. In the demonstrated interface, choose M for the fully manual workflow.
3. Set the task parameters. Enter the application settings appropriate for the operation and the product being applied.
4. Fly the aircraft to the task area. Position the aircraft at the beginning of the first intended pass.
5. Start the task. Confirm the aircraft is correctly aligned before application begins.
6. Activate spraying while moving forward. The pilot manually controls forward flight and application in the demonstrated M workflow.
7. Maintain height, speed and pass spacing. These variables directly affect coverage and application uniformity.
8. Stop application at the field boundary. Do not continue applying simply because the aircraft is still moving through a turn.
9. Turn for the next pass. Turn manually, or use the on-screen U-turn assistance shown by DJI where it is available and appropriate.
10. Re-align and resume. Once aligned with the next pass, resume application and continue through the field.

The Biggest Challenge in M Mode: Consistent Pass Spacing

Manual spraying is not only about keeping the aircraft airborne. The operator must create repeatable lanes. A pilot can maintain the correct application rate but still produce an uneven field if passes are spaced inconsistently. Excess overlap can increase applied material in one area, while excessive spacing can leave under-treated strips.

That is why Manual mode generally requires more experience than a planned route. Speed, altitude, swath behavior and lateral spacing all have to be controlled together.

How to Operate DJI Agras Manual Plus (M+)

Manual Plus is best understood as a semi-automatic bridge between fully manual operation and a completely planned route. The operator still pilots the aircraft, but the system helps standardize key task behaviors.

1. Select M+. From the Manual operation panel, choose Manual Plus.
2. Set the task parameters. Confirm the target speed and application settings before beginning.
3. Unlock and fly to the task area. Manually position the aircraft at the start of the intended pass.
4. Start the task. In the demonstrated workflow, the spraying or spreading system then starts automatically.
5. Command forward flight. The operator continues to guide the Agras aircraft forward through each pass.
6. Allow the system to manage speed-responsive flow. When the aircraft accelerates or decelerates near a field boundary, the demonstrated system adjusts spray or spread flow to help maintain a more consistent application.
7. Use the map cues at the field edge. Select turn direction according to the colored directional indicators beside the aircraft on the map rather than relying only on the pilot’s physical sense of left and right.
8. Use lateral-movement controls where appropriate. In the demonstrated interface, C1 and C2 correspond to left and right lateral movement respectively.
9. Complete the U-turn. The aircraft turns and transitions toward the next working lane.
10. Continue the next pass. Maintain active supervision even though M+ is assisting with task execution.

Why Automatic Flow Adjustment Matters in M+

Application rate is linked to aircraft movement. When an aircraft slows but liquid flow remains unchanged, more material can be deposited per unit of ground area. When it accelerates without a corresponding flow increase, less material can be deposited.

In the M+ workflow demonstrated by DJI, the system adjusts spray or spread flow as aircraft speed changes. This reduces one of the pilot’s largest manual workloads at the ends of passes.

However, automatic flow adjustment does not automatically guarantee correct field coverage. It cannot compensate for every operator error. Poor swath spacing, incorrect altitude, bad nozzle condition, unsuitable product parameters, wind, incorrect calibration or an inappropriate route can still create poor results.

If you are using the T100 for granular work instead of spraying, review the DJI T100 Spreading System tutorial and the T100 auger and screw-feeder size guide. Ares Acres also supports the T100 100L spreading system and T100 150L seeding system.

Understanding U-Turn Direction in Manual Plus

One of the most important details in the video is easy to miss: when choosing the direction of a U-turn, use the directional colors displayed beside the aircraft on the map rather than assuming “left” and “right” from your own physical orientation.

The remote-controller map is an operational reference. Depending on aircraft heading and map orientation, the aircraft’s left/right relationship may not feel intuitive from where the pilot is standing. Following the on-screen directional cue reduces the chance of commanding the aircraft toward the wrong adjacent pass.

In the demonstrated interface, C1 and C2 provide left and right lateral movement. These controls help the aircraft transition between neighboring passes during the M+ workflow.

Course Lock: Reducing Accidental Heading Changes

The tutorial recommends enabling Course Lock if the aircraft tends to change direction when the operator is working the controls. Course Lock is useful because the pilot’s intention during an M+ pass is generally to preserve a stable working direction while progressing along the lane.

With Course Lock enabled in the demonstrated workflow, steering input that would otherwise alter heading is constrained so the aircraft holds the intended course more consistently. This can reduce accidental heading changes caused by unwanted control input.

Course Lock is an assistance feature, not a substitute for piloting. The operator must still monitor obstacles, boundaries, positioning health, application behavior and aircraft state throughout the task.

Manual vs. M+: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Manual (M) when maximum immediate control is required and the operator has the experience to manage the complete flight and application workflow. This can make sense for very small, irregular or highly constrained areas where the pilot intentionally wants direct control over every pass.

Choose Manual Plus (M+) when the field still benefits from manual guidance but you want more standardized task behavior, including preset speed behavior, automatic flow compensation and assisted pass transitions.

Choose Route Mode when the field can be efficiently mapped and the benefits of repeatable, planned lanes outweigh the additional setup time. See the Route Mode tutorial for that workflow.

Common Operator Mistakes

• Treating M+ as autonomous. It is semi-automatic assistance; the operator is still actively flying and supervising the aircraft.
• Ignoring positioning quality. Satellite count alone does not tell the entire story. Monitor actual positioning status and RTK state where used.
• Continuing application through an unintended turn area. In M mode especially, manage spray start/stop deliberately.
• Inconsistent lane spacing. Correct flow does not fix gaps or excessive overlap between passes.
• Choosing turn direction from the pilot’s physical left/right. In M+, use the map’s directional indicators shown in the interface.
• Entering incorrect task parameters. Verify speed, rate and other task values before starting.
• Over-relying on Course Lock. It can help stabilize heading but does not remove the need for active control.
• Skipping application-system preparation. A poorly primed or improperly prepared spray system can compromise delivery before the aircraft reaches the crop.

Troubleshooting Manual and Manual Plus Operations

Symptom	What to Check
Spray does not begin in M mode	Confirm the task has been started, application settings are valid, the spray system is prepared, and the operator is using the correct spray control for the demonstrated mode.
M+ application appears inconsistent	Review target parameters, calibration, actual aircraft speed, application-system health and whether the payload system is responding normally to speed changes.
Aircraft heading wanders during a pass	Review control input and consider Course Lock where appropriate and supported.
Aircraft turns toward the wrong adjacent lane	Use the map’s directional color cues rather than the pilot’s own physical left/right reference.
RTK is not available	Check the selected RTK source, network/base-station status and positioning settings. Review the D-RTK 3 setup tutorial.
Application rate looks correct but coverage is uneven	Inspect pass spacing, altitude, swath behavior, nozzles or spreading hardware, calibration and environmental conditions.
Positioning warning appears	Do not rely only on a satellite-number threshold. Review the aircraft status and positioning panel before continuing.

Manual-Mode Pre-Task Checklist

• Remote controller powered, connected and sufficiently charged.
• Aircraft battery installed correctly and aircraft powered normally.
• Aircraft status and Device Health show no unresolved critical condition.
• Positioning status checked; RTK configured if the operation requires it.
• Application system prepared and primed according to current DJI guidance.
• Correct product, label, rate and legal-use requirements confirmed.
• Task parameters reviewed before takeoff into the working lane.
• Field boundaries, people, vehicles, structures, wires and other obstacles identified.
• Wind and other environmental conditions evaluated for the actual application.
• Planned pass direction and approximate spacing understood before application begins.
• Turn strategy understood, including map-based direction cues in M+.

Related DJI Agras Operator Tutorials

Build the complete operating workflow by pairing this guide with the Remote Controller Activation Tutorial, Remote Operation View Tutorial, T100 Route Mode Tutorial, D-RTK 3 Tutorial, and T100 Spreading System Tutorial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Manual mode on the DJI Agras T100?

Manual mode, shown as M in the demonstrated interface, gives the pilot direct responsibility for flying the aircraft through the task area, managing pass spacing and turns, and controlling application during the task.

What is Manual Plus on the DJI Agras T100?

Manual Plus, or M+, is a semi-automatic operating mode. The operator still guides the aircraft, while the demonstrated workflow adds assistance such as preset task behavior, speed-responsive spray/spread flow, U-turn/lateral-transition functions and Course Lock.

Is DJI Agras M+ fully autonomous?

No. M+ reduces workload but still requires active piloting, boundary awareness, obstacle awareness and supervision of the application.

Do I need RTK to use Manual or Manual Plus?

The training video presents RTK as an option when high-precision positioning is needed and shows custom network RTK or a D-RTK mobile station as signal-source choices. Follow the current DJI documentation for your aircraft, region and task.

Why does the tutorial mention 15 satellites?

The video recommends operating when at least 15 satellites are being received. Treat that as tutorial guidance rather than a universal safety threshold. Actual positioning quality, RTK state, warnings and current DJI instructions still matter.

Does M+ automatically adjust application flow when speed changes?

In the demonstrated workflow, yes. When the aircraft accelerates or decelerates, the spraying or spreading system adjusts flow to help maintain a more even application.

What does Course Lock do in M+?

Course Lock helps maintain a consistent aircraft heading and can reduce unintended heading changes caused by control input during a pass.

When is M better than Route Mode?

M can be useful for small, irregular or complex areas where creating a full planned route is inefficient and the pilot has sufficient skill to manually manage the task. Route Mode is generally better suited to repeatable, planned coverage where automated field lanes provide an operational advantage.

What Is Ares Acres?

Ares Acres supports U.S. DJI Agras operators with agricultural drones, OEM parts, replacement components and an expanding technical training library. Our objective is to make the Agras ecosystem easier to operate, maintain and repair by connecting operator education directly to the hardware and support resources required in the field.

Build Your DJI Agras Operating System

Operators building around the T100 can browse the DJI Agras T100 aircraft, T100 replacement parts, DJI Agras OEM parts and the complete Ares Acres catalog. For fitment, parts identification or technical support, contact Ares Acres.

Operational and regulatory notice: This article summarizes the workflow demonstrated in the referenced DJI training video and is intended as supplemental operator education. Menu names, controls and available functions can vary by aircraft model, remote controller, firmware/app version, payload system and region. Always follow current DJI manuals, in-app prompts and applicable operating requirements. For pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or other crop-protection products, use only products permitted for the intended aerial application and follow the product label, required PPE, drift/weather restrictions, licensing requirements and all applicable federal, state and local rules. This article is not a substitute for formal flight training, the product label or current regulatory guidance.