Take Flight Like a Pro: Why Litchi is the Ultimate Drone Mission App
- John Nickolls
- May 27
- 3 min read
When it comes to flying drones, there's a big difference between casually buzzing around a field and executing a perfectly choreographed aerial mission. That difference? It's called Litchi.
For drone pilots who want to push their skills—and their footage—to the next level, Litchi is the ultimate flight planning app. Whether you're shooting real estate, mapping a site, or just want a stunning orbit around your campervan at sunset, Litchi gives you control, precision, and creative freedom like no other.
What is Litchi?
Litchi is a powerful third-party flight app compatible with a wide range of DJI drones. Available on iOS, Android, and as a web-based platform (Mission Hub), it allows you to plan, simulate, and execute advanced flight missions with pinpoint accuracy.
Think of it as your drone's co-pilot. You’re the director, Litchi is your camera operator. Together, you can capture shots that are cinematic, repeatable, and breathtaking.
Mission Planning with Waypoints
At the heart of Litchi is its Waypoint Mission system. This is where the magic happens.
You can map out your drone’s route by adding waypoints—each with its own set of instructions. Altitude, speed, gimbal angle, camera direction, pause durations—it’s all customisable. You’re not just flying; you’re scripting a mission.
Want your drone to fly around a landmark while keeping the camera locked on it? Easy. Want to change camera angles at different points during the flight? Done. Want it to pause mid-air and take a photo at exactly 58 metres above sea level? Absolutely.
These missions aren’t just one-offs either—you can save, tweak, and re-fly them as many times as you like.
Plan on Desktop, Fly on Mobile
Litchi’s Mission Hub lets you plan your flights from the comfort of your laptop or desktop. With access to satellite maps, terrain data, and full mission settings, you can create complex flight paths with surgical precision.
Once you’re done, simply sync to your mobile device. When you're out in the field, your perfectly crafted mission is ready to launch. It’s ideal for professional shoots, inspections, or just making the most of that golden-hour lighting.
More Than Just Waypoints
Litchi doesn’t stop at missions. It’s packed with intelligent flight modes designed to unleash your creativity:
Orbit Mode: Circle a subject with full control over radius, altitude, and speed.
Follow Mode: Your drone follows your mobile device’s GPS—perfect for walking tours, biking, or hikes.
Focus Mode: Fix the gimbal on a point of interest while flying manually for dynamic, parallax-style shots.
Panorama & Track Modes: Automate stunning panoramas or visual tracking.
VR Mode: Experience your flight in first-person using a mobile VR headset.
Supported DJI Drones
Litchi supports many of the most popular DJI drones, including:
Mavic 2 Pro
Phantom 4 Series
Phantom 3 Series
Mavic Pro
Mavic Air
Spark
Inspire 1
(As of 2025, newer models like the DJI Mini 4 Pro are not yet supported—but keep an eye out for updates!)
Why I Use Litchi
As someone who’s passionate about drone photography and storytelling, Litchi has completely changed how I fly. The ability to plan detailed routes, set cinematic angles, and repeat missions consistently has allowed me to create content I’m truly proud of.
For example, using my DJI Mavic 2 Pro, I’ve flown complex flights across Cannock Chase, the Peak District, and even around coastal cliffs in Cornwall—capturing jaw-dropping footage with zero stress. I know exactly where my drone is going, what it’s doing, and how the shots will turn out before I even hit “Start.”
Final Thoughts
Litchi is more than an app—it’s a professional-grade flight partner that transforms your drone from a flying camera into a mission-executing powerhouse.
If you’re ready to take your drone work seriously—or just want more control and creativity—then give Litchi a try. Whether you're filming your campervan in the Highlands or tracking across the rooftops of Stafford, Litchi lets you plan, fly, and capture with confidence.
Explore. Create. Fly with precision. Fly with Litchi.
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