About
DJI Flight Planner is a Windows-based desktop application purpose-built for planning low-altitude UAV data-capture missions with DJI drones. Developed by practitioners who found existing tools insufficient for structured area-based mission planning, the software streamlines the entire pre-flight workflow from coverage design to mission export. Users can adjust all critical imaging parameters—camera sensor type, flying height, ground speed, forward and side overlap percentages, ground pixel size, and imaging frame rate—giving full control over survey accuracy and coverage. Once a mission is planned, it can be exported directly into the Litchi app (available for Android and iOS), enabling single-button autonomous takeoff, flight, and landing with automatic image capture. The software supports a wide range of DJI models including Phantom 3/4 series, Mavic Air 1/2/2S, Mavic Pro, Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom, Mavic 3E/3T, Mini 3/3 Pro, Mini 4 Pro, Inspire series, and various Matrice platforms. Some third-party sensors (FLIR, Micasense, Sentera) are also supported. DJI Flight Planner is particularly suited for small businesses, universities, government agencies, mining operations, and engineering firms that need repeatable, high-quality aerial survey data. It pairs naturally with the companion tool DJIAfterFlight (for on-site image metadata review) and Photometrix iWitnessPRO-V4 (for full photogrammetric image processing), forming a complete end-to-end UAV survey workflow. A perpetual single-PC license costs US$99, with a free demo available.
Key Features
- Area-Based Mission Planning: Design structured photogrammetric survey missions over a defined area of interest, ensuring complete and consistent image coverage.
- Full Imaging Parameter Control: Adjust camera sensor, flying height, ground speed, forward overlap, side overlap, ground pixel size, and imaging frame rate to meet exact survey specifications.
- Litchi App Export: Export planned missions directly to the Litchi app (Android & iOS) for fully autonomous drone flight—takeoff, survey, and landing with a single button press.
- Wide DJI Drone Compatibility: Supports a broad range of DJI models including Phantom 3/4, Mavic series, Mini 3/4 Pro, Mavic 3E/3T, Inspire, and Matrice platforms, plus select third-party sensors.
- Free Demo Available: Try the software before purchasing with a free demo version, allowing users to evaluate its mission planning capabilities risk-free.
Use Cases
- Planning structured photogrammetric aerial surveys for topographic mapping and 3D terrain modeling.
- Conducting repeatable site documentation flights for mining, construction, and civil engineering projects.
- Supporting university and academic research requiring systematic UAV image data collection over defined study areas.
- Assisting government agencies and defense organizations with aerial reconnaissance and land-use monitoring missions.
- Enabling small UAV service businesses to deliver consistent, professional-grade survey deliverables for clients across agriculture, real estate, and infrastructure inspection.
Pros
- Affordable One-Time Pricing: A US$99 perpetual single-PC license makes professional-grade mission planning accessible to small teams and individual operators without recurring subscription fees.
- Seamless Litchi Integration: Direct export to the Litchi app enables fully autonomous flight execution, removing manual waypoint entry and reducing human error during the mission.
- Purpose-Built for Photogrammetry: Designed specifically for low-altitude UAV photogrammetric surveys, with parameter controls that generic flight apps typically lack.
- Broad Drone Model Support: Covers most mainstream consumer and prosumer DJI models, making it useful for a wide range of operators without needing to upgrade hardware.
Cons
- Windows Only: The planning software requires a 64-bit Windows PC, excluding macOS and Linux users from the desktop workflow.
- Requires Litchi for Autonomous Flight: Actual flight execution depends on the third-party Litchi app (sold separately), adding an additional cost and dependency for operators.
- DJI Drones Only: The software is exclusively compatible with DJI hardware and cannot be used to plan missions for other drone brands such as Autel or Skydio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which DJI drone models are supported?
DJI Flight Planner supports a wide range of models including Phantom 3/4 series, Mavic Air 1/2/2S, Mavic Pro, Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom, Mini 3/3 Pro, Mavic 3E/3T, Mini 4 Pro, Inspire 1/2, and Matrice 100/200/210/600. Some third-party sensors like FLIR, Micasense, and Sentera may also be supported.
How do I actually fly the planned mission?
After planning your mission in DJI Flight Planner on your Windows PC, you export the mission file and import it into the Litchi app on an Android or iOS device. From the Litchi app, you can launch the drone for a fully autonomous flight that follows the planned waypoints and captures images automatically.
Is there a free trial available?
Yes, a free demo version of DJI Flight Planner is available. You can request the demo directly from the website to evaluate the software before purchasing the full US$99 perpetual license.
What imaging parameters can I adjust in the mission plan?
You can control camera sensor type, flying height, ground speed, forward overlap percentage, side overlap percentage, ground pixel size (GSD), and imaging frame rate—giving you full control over the quality and coverage of your photogrammetric survey.
What can I do with the imagery captured after the flight?
The team recommends DJIAfterFlight (US$29) for on-site image metadata review and map-based visualization, and Photometrix iWitnessPRO-V4 for full photogrammetric processing—enabling generation of dense 3D point clouds and photo-realistic ortho-mosaics from the collected images.
