How to Get Started Flying FPV with a DJI Remote Controller 3 and Simulators

FPV (First Person View) drone flying looks intimidating at first. Fast dives, tight gaps, freestyle tricks, and cinematic lines can make it seem like something that takes years to learn. The good news is that modern FPV simulators make the learning curve dramatically easier — and safer.

If you're starting with a DJI Remote Controller 3, you already have one of the best tools for learning FPV the right way: a high-quality radio that works with several popular simulators.

Before you ever launch a real drone, you can build muscle memory, learn throttle control, and crash hundreds of times without spending money on broken parts.

This guide walks through exactly how to get started using:

• Uncrashed

• Liftoff

• DCL - The Game

…alongside the DJI Remote Controller 3.

Why Start with a Simulator?

Most new FPV pilots crash constantly during the first few weeks. That’s completely normal.

The biggest challenge isn’t speed or tricks — it’s learning coordinated stick control in Acro Mode (also called Manual Mode). Unlike camera drones that stabilize automatically, FPV drones keep moving unless you actively correct them.

A simulator helps you learn:

• Smooth throttle management

• Turning without overcorrecting

• Recovering from mistakes

• Spatial awareness

• Landing control

• Racing lines and freestyle flow

Even 10–20 hours in a simulator can save you hundreds of dollars in repairs.

What You Need

To get started, you only need three things:

1. DJI Remote Controller 3

DJI Remote Controller 3

https://amzn.to/4v1WRBT

This controller works great for simulator training because it feels nearly identical to flying a real FPV drone.

You’ll connect it to your PC using a USB-C cable.

2. A Gaming PC or Laptop

FPV simulators aren’t extremely demanding, but smoother frame rates help a lot. I personally run all these simulators on my 2014 MacBook Pro M2 with 16GB of RAM. 

Recommended minimum:

• Modern quad-core CPU

• 16GB RAM

• Dedicated GPU preferred

• Stable USB ports

3. FPV Simulators

Each simulator teaches different skills.

Best FPV Simulators for Beginners

Uncrashed — Best for Realistic Freestyle Flying

Uncrashed
Uncrashed Official Website

Uncrashed has become one of the most popular FPV simulators because it feels smooth, realistic, and visually polished.

Why beginners love it:

• Excellent freestyle maps

• Realistic physics

• Great graphics

• Adjustable drone tuning

• Easy setup

Best for:

• Freestyle practice

• Cinematic flying

• Learning smooth control

If your goal is eventually flying cinematic FPV for videos, mountain dives, or freestyle tricks, Uncrashed is an excellent starting point.

Liftoff — Best All-Around FPV Training Simulator

Liftoff
Liftoff Official Website

Liftoff is often considered the “standard” FPV simulator for beginners.

Why it’s great:

• Huge community

• Tons of training maps

• Multiplayer support

• Progressive learning curve

• Strong tutorial system

Best for:

• Total beginners

• Racing and freestyle

• Learning FPV fundamentals

Liftoff also does a great job teaching recovery skills after crashes — something every FPV pilot needs.

DCL – The Game — Best for Racing Skills

DCL - The Game
DCL The Game Official Website

DCL is designed around professional drone racing and has a steeper learning curve.

What makes it unique:

• Fast race tracks

• Competitive flying

• Precision gate training

• High-speed maneuver practice

Best for:

• Competitive FPV racing

• Building reaction speed

• Tight technical flying

It may feel harder at first, but many pilots improve quickly after practicing in DCL because it forces precision.

How to Connect the DJI Remote Controller 3

Connecting the controller is usually simple.

Step 1: Connect via USB-C

Plug the DJI Remote Controller 3 into your PC using a USB-C cable.

Most simulators recognize it automatically.

Step 2: Open the Simulator

Launch:

• Uncrashed

• Liftoff

• or DCL

Then navigate to:

• Controller Settings

• Input Setup

• Calibration

Step 3: Calibrate Your Sticks

Move all sticks fully:

• Up/down

• Left/right

Then center them.

This ensures accurate stick response.

Step 4: Configure Your Rates

When starting out:

• Use lower rates

• Add some expo

• Focus on smoothness over speed

A beginner-friendly setup helps prevent overcorrection.

The Biggest Beginner Mistake: Too Much Throttle

New pilots usually struggle most with throttle control.

In FPV:

• Small throttle changes matter

• Sudden movements cause instability

• Smoothness is everything

The key is learning tiny, controlled inputs.

A good exercise:

1. Hover at a constant height

2. Fly slow figure eights

3. Practice smooth landings

4. Repeat daily

This builds muscle memory surprisingly fast.

Best Training Routine for New FPV Pilots

Week 1: Basic Control

Practice:

• Hovering

• Straight lines

• Slow turns

• Landing

Goal:
Stay in control without panicking.

Week 2: Coordinated Turns

Practice:

• Figure eights

• Banking turns

• Throttle management

Goal:
Smooth, predictable movement.

Week 3: Freestyle Basics

Practice:

• Split-S turns

• Power loops

• Dives

Goal:
Learn orientation recovery.

Week 4+: Real Flow

Start:

• Racing lines

• Freestyle flow

• Tight gaps

• Speed management

Goal:
Build confidence and consistency.

Simulator Settings That Help Beginners

Turn Off Self-Leveling Early

It’s tempting to use Angle Mode forever, but transitioning to Acro Mode early helps long term.

Acro Mode teaches real FPV control.

Lower Camera Angle

Start around:

• 10°–20° camera tilt

High camera angles force faster flying and make beginners uncomfortable.

Use Consistent Rates

Avoid constantly changing settings.

Consistency builds muscle memory faster.

When Are You Ready for a Real FPV Drone?

A good benchmark:

You’re probably ready when you can:

• Fly laps without crashing constantly

• Recover from mistakes calmly

• Land consistently

• Fly comfortably in Acro Mode

Most people reach this after:

• 15–30 simulator hours

Final Thoughts

• Learning FPV can feel overwhelming at first, but simulators dramatically reduce the difficulty.

The combination of:

• a DJI Remote Controller 3

• realistic simulators

• and consistent practice

…is one of the fastest ways to become a confident FPV pilot.

If you stick with short daily practice sessions, you’ll improve far faster than you expect.

And the best part?

Every simulator crash is free.

Once you feel comfortable with your skills, go and buy your first FPV drone.

Recommendation in order: 

• Mini Whoop
• 3.5"
• 5"

Have fun flying and remember to follow your local drone laws....