Maybe I missed this in the Mavic Pro literature, but I found this in the Mavic Air notices and warnings.... Check #5.  This is totally off from the original Mavic Pro videos, showing the MP landing on the dock.  It was touted then as a really cool feature and "parlor trick" -- not just a failsafe that you should NOT be using unless an emergency.  I do think everyone should know how to land their bird, but this seems a big policy shift on DJI's part.

Mavic Air RTH

They're tired of the newbies crashing into builidings/tall obstacles because they have their RTH set at 10 meters. If you're gonna use RTH, make sure to watch the quad or its FPV display

MiniPalourde Posted at 2018-1-30 19:57
They're tired of the newbies crashing into builidings/tall obstacles because they have their RTH set at 10 meters. If you're gonna use RTH, make sure to watch the quad or its FPV display

Yes, is a nice behavior check the RTH altitude and set the home location in each flight. RTH altitude also is useful check in relation to each flyzone  and its a great tool. With the RTH correctly set, get a peace of mind when you get a "aircraft disconnect" message.
Also during RTH remember that can make corrections in case that Mavic go in a wrong path.

That’s been in that manual since day one, but from what I read a lot don’t know or are not bothered.

In the one year I’ve owned my Mavic, I’ve used RTH 3 times. Just to make sure It worked. There’s a saying I have flying is optional, landing is mandatory. Please learn how to safely land your drone without relying on RTH.

i use when i lose the visual.... and want the AC come back ...

Woe Posted at 2018-1-31 05:10
In the one year I’ve owned my Mavic, I’ve used RTH 3 times. Just to make sure It worked. There’s a saying I have flying is optional, landing is mandatory. Please learn how to safely land your drone without relying on RTH.

Agreed. 1 year and 300 flights never used RTH. Always considered it for emergencies. I read way too many posts of fly-aways where RTH was involved...

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.  344 flights covering 1,285,000 + feet  here and counting.  I don't use it either, except as part of a safety check out about once a month or so - especially if I have changed locations.  Guess I missed it in the Mavic Pro and Platinum manuals.  Just  seemed really crazy to me based on how they were originally marketing that feature.    Cheers!

I will never forget the case I read on here of that bloke who pressed RTH then decided to switch off his RC and pack up as the drone was returning and wondered why he lost his drone... It's amazing what you come across on here LOL

A CW Posted at 2018-1-31 09:26
I will never forget the case I read on here of that bloke who pressed RTH then decided to switch off his RC and pack up as the drone was returning and wondered why he lost his drone... It's amazing what you come across on here LOL

I missed that one -  can't help myself: lmao -  Sorry for his loss though.

W.T. Foxtrot Posted at 2018-1-31 09:07
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.  344 flights covering 1,285,000 + feet  here and counting.  I don't use it either, except as part of a safety check out about once a month or so - especially if I have changed locations.  Guess I missed it in the Mavic Pro and Platinum manuals.  Just  seemed really crazy to me based on how they were originally marketing that feature.    Cheers!

That warning language is not in the Mavic Pro manual versions I checked, including the earliest and the current versions.

I rather suspect its inclusion in the Air's manual is a response to the last year of feedback, forum posts and support requests as DJI learns how owners actually use (or abuse) the feature.

Honestly, the beeping alone cured me of the feature early on. ;)

Last week I said that It isn’t in my Spark or Mavic manual and then I was corrected that it is in the safety manual...why put it in one manual and not the other I don’t know.

Ex Machina Posted at 2018-1-31 10:52
That warning language is not in the Mavic Pro manual versions I checked, including the earliest and the current versions.

I rather suspect its inclusion in the Air's manual is a response to the last year of feedback, forum posts and support requests as DJI learns how owners actually use (or abuse) the feature.

I was corrected last week as I couldn’t find it in my manuals...it’s in the safety manual.

Neroangelo Posted at 2018-1-31 13:44
I was corrected last week as I couldn’t find it in my manuals...it’s in the safety manual.

So it is:
https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/ ... y+Guidelines-EN.pdf

I try not to use RTH only used it twice to check it works when its nearby

MiniPalourde Posted at 2018-1-30 19:57
They're tired of the newbies crashing into builidings/tall obstacles because they have their RTH set at 10 meters. If you're gonna use RTH, make sure to watch the quad or its FPV display

Forgive me if I’m wrong but isn’t the Mavic supposed to re-adjust itself if it comes to an obstacle and fly over it when in RTH?

A CW Posted at 2018-1-31 09:26
I will never forget the case I read on here of that bloke who pressed RTH then decided to switch off his RC and pack up as the drone was returning and wondered why he lost his drone... It's amazing what you come across on here LOL

My understanding is that you can switch off the remote as RTH is GPS (unless set to return to remote location) based and works when you lose transmission..am I wrong?

Neroangelo Posted at 2018-1-31 16:05
My understanding is that you can switch off the remote as RTH is GPS (unless set to return to remote location) based and works when you lose transmission..am I wrong?

You would be asking for heartbreak.

Nebuchadnezzar Posted at 2018-1-31 05:17
i use when i lose the visual.... and want the AC come back ...

I turn on home lock for that !

Neroangelo Posted at 2018-1-31 16:05
My understanding is that you can switch off the remote as RTH is GPS (unless set to return to remote location) based and works when you lose transmission..am I wrong?

AI technology being what it is, relying on the autopilot without human monitoring could lead to accidents.  The RTH does seem better than nothing if the human pilot is disconnected from the drone.  Birds, winds, trees, compass interference, GPS errors, other aircraft, are all things that can thwart an autopilot's efforts but are easily handled by humans.

I think SpaceX is the only one to totally rely on RTH as normal operation.  Even they lose a rocket or two.

Been flying DJI drones since 2014 and have never used the return home button on any of them, only use when you really really need to. Every time you put your drone into auto pilot, you increase the risk of crash ten fold

Thanks Gunship9

I set my failsafe loss of signal to RTH -- with an altitude which is very high with plenty of room if it kicks in.  Some of the more remote locations I fly in have enough granite and volcanic mountains to make the Pro lose signal.  After a few minutes it triggers the RTH and the Pro to climb higher, which normally gets me a good signal and I can cancel RTH and fly back safely.  It's a lot easier than trying to chase it around the edge of an island that has no roads-- before the battery runs out!  If you set it high enough for your terrain, it can easily save your backside.  

Remember, lawyers write these things. They are just trying to CYA.

hrmm... i always use RTH

today i RTH my p3p 3500m out.  put the controller down, unpacked my Air and prepped it for flight.  Still had to wait for the p3p haha.  RTH is awesome

Use it periodically to make sure it works.
If you have never used it, you should at least once or twice so you will know how the bird behaves under its influence.

Quite honestly I feel for DJI. Some of the things I read on here make me wonder where common sense has gone. Only use RTH in emergencies I would have thought that was obvious

Aeromirage Posted at 2018-2-16 19:43
Use it periodically to make sure it works.
If you have never used it, you should at least once or twice so you will know how the bird behaves under its influence.

I'd say so, especially after FW updates too, to make sure everything is working fine. Last thing you want to find is a bug in RTH from a new FW when you are out of range and expecting it to come back!

Cameleon Posted at 2018-2-16 22:48
I'd say so, especially after FW updates too, to make sure everything is working fine. Last thing you want to find is a bug in RTH from a new FW when you are out of range and expecting it to come back!

This to me is the best advice, RTH flightprocedures are subject to change. No matter how experienced you are, you think you might know what RTH does, but half a year later you could be in for surprise when you do hit that button.

I wouldn't recommend using RTH often, but you should use it enough so that you're very comfortable engaging it in an emergency.  I remember the first time that I wanted to use it, I struggled to remember how.