The DJI Avata had pleasantly surprised me on my week long Madeira trip: dependable, flying well if a bit slow but then in a canyon with a waterfall it happened: No satellites - which I didn't care much about as I wasn't going to fly far. The drone went up maybe 10 m until it hit DJI's virtual glass ceiling and wouldn't go up. But instead of staying where it was it began to drift and - if I remember correctly I couldn't steer it anymore. It drifted backwards and to the left right into a wall of rock and hanging plants. Luckily despite hitting quite a few plants it continued to hover - now in place - and once I noticed this I could fly out of there and land.

Next I flew a GepRC Cinelog 25 HD (with a DJI/Caddx Vista inside) there which has no GPS and didn't have any problems.

So please, DJI, let us fly normally, in all modes and as far and high as we want even if there is no GPS. The probability that we fly right into a forbidden zone is low and also it's our responsibility and not yours. Maybe put in a "switch": "Do you really want to fly here? You have no GPS, please fly with even more care. If the drone gets a GPS lock in flight and is in a No Fly Zone it will auto land."

due to rules and regulations DJI will not let you have FULL manual control over your drone

this is a bad thing, but a choice DJI has made.

Next time just wait a few seconds for the GPS and the problem is solved. Ingenious idea

BadBert Posted at 6-1 21:39
due to rules and regulations DJI will not let you have FULL manual control over your drone

this is a bad thing, but a choice DJI has made.

Yes, I can't say I expect them to change. Problem though that there are places you just don't get gps.

Xviews Posted at 6-1 21:44
Next time just wait a few seconds for the GPS and the problem is solved. Ingenious idea

That's not the problem. I always wait for the gps, wether it takes seconds or minutes.
But this place was a slim ravine that wouldn't get me GPS even it I waited for an hour. I had hope to get enough sats when being further up.

Hi, Depp. Thank you for reaching out. When the downward vision system is unavailable or disabled and when the GNSS signal is weak or the compass experience interference, the aircraft can not position itself or brake automatically, which increases the risk of potential flight hazards. At this time, drifting may occur.
If the GPS signal is bad in the flight environment, it is recommended that you use the aircraft under conditions that the indoor light is sufficient and the aircraft’s Downward Vision System is functioning, which will ensure that the aircraft can hover stably, otherwise drifting may occur. At this time, you need to push the control stick in time and fly carefully.

DJI Gamora Posted at 6-9 05:38
Hi, Depp. Thank you for reaching out. When the downward vision system is unavailable or disabled and when the GNSS signal is weak or the compass experience interference, the aircraft can not position itself or brake automatically, which increases the risk of potential flight hazards. At this time, drifting may occur.
If the GPS signal is bad in the flight environment, it is recommended that you use the aircraft under conditions that the indoor light is sufficient and the aircraft’s Downward Vision System is functioning, which will ensure that the aircraft can hover stably, otherwise drifting may occur. At this time, you need to push the control stick in time and fly carefully.

Thanks for the tip. Maybe in this case the vision sensor wasn't very clean and I had no GPS...

Depp Posted at 6-9 05:40
Thanks for the tip. Maybe in this case the vision sensor wasn't very clean and I had no GPS...

You're most welcome, Depp. Please try to fly the drone again to isolate this. Should you have further concerns, please reach back here at DJI Forum. Have a nice day.

Does/why does the DJI Avata become uncontrollable if GPS is lost during a flight?

djiuser_P4KUi29EvM21 Posted at 10-31 18:49
Does/why does the DJI Avata become uncontrollable if GPS is lost during a flight?

Hi there. The DJI Avata will drift when flying with no GPS signal and Goggles, which means the drone cannot stabilize its flight attitude, thus, it may cause hazards if keeps flying high and far. Have a great day ahead.

djiuser_P4KUi29EvM21 Posted at 10-31 18:49
Does/why does the DJI Avata become uncontrollable if GPS is lost during a flight?

If I get it right: in N and S modes the Avata (and all other DJI drones) tries to stabilize itself. It uses a bunch of sensors (inside especially the optical sensors on the bottom) and outside, because it's further off the ground, primarily the GPS. If the GPS signal is not good enough it doesn't know what to do, doesn't notice it drifts. It should be better in flight and far better in M mode - there you control the drone yourself and (theoretically and with every other fpv drone) don't need the GPS at all except when losing connection.
Since it doesn't let you fly more than 30 ft or meters off the ground without GPS you're screwed and can't even fly manual. A serious downside. Fortunately the GPS on DJI drones is generally very good and it very seldom is a real problem. In that canyon in my video it was a problem...

Depp Posted at 10-31 22:29
If I get it right: in N and S modes the Avata (and all other DJI drones) tries to stabilize itself. It uses a bunch of sensors (inside especially the optical sensors on the bottom) and outside, because it's further off the ground, primarily the GPS. If the GPS signal is not good enough it doesn't know what to do, doesn't notice it drifts. It should be better in flight and far better in M mode - there you control the drone yourself and (theoretically and with every other fpv drone) don't need the GPS at all except when losing connection.
Since it doesn't let you fly more than 30 ft or meters off the ground without GPS you're screwed and can't even fly manual. A serious downside. Fortunately the GPS on DJI drones is generally very good and it very seldom is a real problem. In that canyon in my video it was a problem...

When my avata flew away, I had no gps, I was at 130 feet and never hit any type of altitude or distance limit. I actually stopped at 130 feet and waited for GPS lock when my accident occurred.

It was a tough lesson to learn.

I do love my Avata though, it is a fantastic drone.