DJI Agras T100 Preflight, Takeoff, Flight Modes & Return-to-Home
The normal flight sequence for a DJI Agras T100 is more than “power on and take off.” The aircraft has to pass a physical preflight, the app status must be clear, positioning and RTK settings must match the operation, the Home Point and RTH behavior need to be understood, and the operator should know what the aircraft will do if battery level drops or the control link is lost. This guide organizes those procedures into the order an operator actually uses them.
Quick Answer: Before flight, confirm all devices are charged; motors, propellers, radar, vision, antennas and payload hardware are in good condition; the battery, spray tank and arm locks are secure; the spray system is clear and leak-free; the app shows no unresolved aircraft-status warnings; and the payload does not exceed DJI Agras’s recommended limit. For takeoff, use open flat ground, verify the controller-aircraft link and GNSS/RTK state, start the motors with the documented Combination Stick Command, then select the desired mode and take off. Return-to-Home can be triggered manually, by low battery if configured, or after control-signal loss if the signal-lost action is set to RTH.
Preflight checklist: the last gate before motor start
DJI’s preflight checklist is broad because T100 operation depends on multiple connected systems. It is not enough to inspect only propellers or battery level.
Power and device readiness
- Make sure all devices are sufficiently charged for the planned operation.
- Confirm the remote controller, aircraft, propulsion, positioning, radar and payload systems are functioning normally.
- Read every warning in the aircraft status list inside DJI Agras before flight.
Propulsion and sensing
- Inspect motors and propellers for damage, obstruction, looseness or abnormal condition.
- Check the vision system, radar module and antennas for damage or blockage.
- Replace aged or damaged parts before returning the aircraft to service.
Physical installation
- Confirm the aircraft battery is firmly installed.
- Confirm the spray tank and arm locks are secure.
- Check that required cables and connectors are firmly connected.
Spraying-system readiness
- Make sure the spray system is not blocked.
- Check for leaks.
- Confirm the sprinklers operate normally.
Operating area
Remove loose debris such as plastic bags, empty fertilizer bags and films that can be blown into the aircraft. Maintain the clearances and personnel separation required for safe agricultural operation. The manual specifically tells the operator to keep more than 6 m away from the aircraft during operation and to keep people, vehicles and obstacles clear of the immediate area.
Compass calibration before flight
Calibrate the compass when DJI Agras prompts you. Do not calibrate beside steel-reinforced structures, utility poles or other strong magnetic sources. DJI recommends an empty tank during compass calibration. If the aircraft reports abnormal compass behavior after being placed on the ground, move it to a different location because underground magnetic interference can be the cause.
Payload: use the app recommendation, not only the tank capacity
DJI Agras can recommend a payload weight limit according to the aircraft’s current status and surroundings. Do not exceed that recommendation. Altitude, temperature, battery condition and other factors can reduce the safe operating payload below the sea-level maximum specification.
Starting and stopping the motors
DJI starts the T100 motors using a Combination Stick Command (CSC). Once the motors begin spinning, release both sticks simultaneously. After landing, hold the throttle stick down until the motors stop.
Do not start motors in a confined space or near people. Keep hands on the remote controller while the motors are spinning.
Emergency mid-flight motor stop
The manual warns not to stop motors during flight except in an emergency where doing so reduces the risk of injury or greater damage. The emergency command is to press and hold C1, C2 and the flight-pause button simultaneously. Using it will cause the aircraft to fall.
T100 takeoff sequence
- Place the aircraft on open, flat ground with the rear facing the operator.
- Prepare the spray tank and secure the cover for the intended operation.
- Power on the remote controller and verify DJI Agras is functioning, then power on the aircraft and confirm the controller is linked.
- If using RTK, select the correct RTK signal source. If RTK is not being used, disable RTK Positioning; otherwise the aircraft can be prevented from taking off when differential data is unavailable.
- Wait for strong GNSS and, when used, ready RTK status.
- Start the motors with CSC.
- Select the desired operation or flight mode and apply throttle to take off.
Before committing to the operation, verify that stick inputs produce the expected aircraft response. If the app reports a weak connection signal, improve the signal before launch.
Landing sequence
- Exit the automatic operation when required and manually control the aircraft to the landing area.
- Pull the throttle stick down to descend until the aircraft touches the ground.
- Hold the throttle down until the motors stop.
- Power off the aircraft before powering off the remote controller.
When the low-battery warning appears, DJI instructs the operator to move to a safe area and land as soon as possible. At critical low battery, the aircraft automatically descends and lands; the critical landing cannot be cancelled.
Flight modes and operation modes
The remote controller can use different stick modes, with Mode 2 used as the default example in the manual. Separately, the aircraft’s operational workflows include mapping modes and spraying modes such as Route, Manual and Fruit Tree operation. Those operation modes change how the aircraft executes the agricultural task; they are distinct from the aircraft’s positioning-oriented Normal/Attitude flight-state behavior described in the aircraft-systems guide.
Return-to-Home overview
RTH returns the aircraft to the last recorded Home Point when the positioning system is operating normally. DJI describes three trigger paths: the operator manually triggers Smart RTH, low battery triggers RTH when configured, or loss of the remote-controller signal triggers Failsafe RTH when the signal-lost action is set to RTH.
The Home Point is recorded at takeoff when GNSS is strong. It can be updated in DJI Agras during flight when required, but the remote controller’s GNSS environment also matters when updating it.
Smart RTH
Press and hold the RTH button to trigger Smart RTH. The aircraft returns to the latest Home Point. During Smart RTH, the operator can adjust altitude to avoid collisions. Press the RTH button once or use the pitch stick as described by DJI to exit RTH and regain manual control.
Low Battery RTH
If the Low Battery Action in aircraft-battery settings is set to RTH, the aircraft pauses its operation and enters RTH when the battery reaches the configured threshold. During that return, the operator can adjust altitude. If Low Battery Action is set to Warning instead, the aircraft does not automatically enter RTH at that threshold.
Failsafe RTH after signal loss
The signal-lost action can be configured as RTH, Hover or Land. If set to RTH, a lost controller signal causes the aircraft to return to the most recently recorded Home Point. If the connection is restored while RTH is active, the RTH continues until the operator cancels it or it completes.
How RTH altitude is used
If the aircraft is already above the preset RTH altitude, it returns at its current altitude. If it is below the preset RTH altitude, it climbs to that altitude before flying to the Home Point. This is why the failsafe/RTH altitude should be chosen before the flight based on the actual operating environment.
Obstacle avoidance during RTH
In suitable conditions, obstacle avoidance can function during RTH. The aircraft may bypass an obstacle or decelerate and hover depending on terrain/obstacle settings. If it hovers because it cannot proceed automatically, RTH exits and waits for operator input.
For Route or Fruit Tree operations, the aircraft can also calculate an RTH path that accounts for obstacles added during task planning. Connection points can influence the return path as well. If flying through those points is not desirable and the controller link is available, the operator can exit automatic RTH and return manually.
When RTH is not dependable
- RTH does not work normally with weak or absent GNSS.
- Tall buildings can affect positioning and the return path.
- Weather, magnetic fields and environmental conditions can affect RTH.
- If RTH is triggered within approximately 3 m of the Home Point, the aircraft does not enter the normal RTH flight but the controller can still alert.
Landing Protection
During auto landing, Landing Protection can stop the aircraft about 3 m above the ground so the operator can confirm the landing surface and adjust position before completing the landing. The manual notes exceptions, including certain fixed-RTK landing behavior.
Flight-data records
The T100 records flight data internally. Data can be exported through DJI Assistant 2 or DJI Agras. If an abnormal event occurs, preserve the logs before changing components; they can be essential evidence for diagnosis or support.
Preflight-to-landing workflow
| Stage | Primary checks | Do not proceed when |
|---|---|---|
| Physical preflight | Battery, arms, propellers, motors, radar/vision, payload and hoses | Damage, loose components, leaks or blocked systems remain |
| App/status | Aircraft status list, GNSS, RTK source, payload recommendation | Unresolved warnings or invalid positioning state |
| Motor start | Clear area and expected CSC response | People/obstacles are close or propulsion behavior is abnormal |
| Takeoff | Strong link and expected stick response | Weak connection or abnormal aircraft response |
| Operation | Monitor battery, link, sensing and route behavior | Critical warning or uncontrolled condition occurs |
| Return/landing | Know whether Smart, Low Battery or Failsafe RTH is active | Do not assume RTH can solve poor GNSS or an unsuitable return path |
Frequently asked questions
What should I check before flying a T100?
Charge state, propulsion, sensors, antennas, battery installation, arm locks, payload system, leaks/blockages, DJI Agras warnings, positioning status, operating area and the app’s recommended payload limit.
Can I take off with RTK enabled but no differential data?
No. DJI warns that if RTK Positioning is enabled without available differential data, the aircraft cannot take off. Disable RTK when it is not being used.
What triggers T100 RTH?
Manual Smart RTH, low battery when configured to RTH, or controller-signal loss when the signal-lost action is set to RTH.
Does RTH always climb to the preset altitude?
No. If the aircraft is already above the RTH altitude, it returns at the current altitude. If below, it climbs to the preset RTH altitude first.
Can I cancel Failsafe RTH after the controller reconnects?
Yes. The manual says the return continues after reconnection, but the operator can cancel RTH and regain control.
Can obstacle avoidance work during RTH?
Yes, in suitable operating conditions, but the aircraft can still hover if it cannot bypass an obstacle. The pilot must remain prepared to take control.
Related T100 guides
- T100 Flight Limits, GEO Zones & Operating Environment
- T100 Aircraft Systems, Radar, Vision & RTK
- T100 / T50 Pre-Flight Safety Tutorial
- DJI T100 Parts
Source and revision note
Primary source: DJI AGRAS T100 User Manual v1.0 (2025.11), pp. 36–43. This guide reorganizes compass/preflight, motor start/stop, takeoff, landing, operating modes, RTH, landing protection and flight-data material into an operator sequence. Use current app prompts and aircraft status indications when they differ from the cited manual revision.
