Skip to content
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

How do I connect a drone to SkyCoach

Connecting a drone to SkyCoach requires a drone controller with an HDMI output port or USB C that supports output. Drones do not come with these controllers. They are optional additions.

Known controllers that work

1) Autel Smart Controller SE - This is the controller that comes with the Drone-Tek tether system.

    • This controller is sensitive to the order that you power up and connect. The only way for the RCK to recognize the controller is to connect the powered down controller via HDMI to the powered up RCK and then power up the drone controller. That fixes the issue every time.

    • Drone-Tek configures the controllers to 1080p for us before they ship, but if you need to verify what the output is set to tap the arrow at the bottom of the screen when in camera mode.

    • SLP YouTube playlist for Autel Contoller Setup.

2) DJI Smart Controller - This controller is discontinued, but some teams still have it. pg 16 explains output settings. Tap HDMI icon to enable and disable. Hold down HDMI icon to adjust resolution.

3) DJI RC Pro Controller - This controller replaced the original Smart Controller. pg 19 HDMI settings. Resolutions can be set by going to Settings->Display->Advanced HDMI

4) DJI RC 2 Controller - This contoller works with SkyCoach using a USB C to HDMI. It requires some extra steps to get it to work. This video shows the process Connecting a DJI RC 2 Controller

 

Known controllers that don't work

Any that require a phone to see the video

 

DJI Controller Steps

Currently there is no way to turn off the telemetry data on the screen for the DJI Air 3s with RC2. With Air 2s they later released a patch that allowed you to hide the information. That is not there yet with the Air 3s. See video at bottom for details.

 

Connecting USB C from controller depends on if the USB C adapter is powered by an external source or not as well as if you are connecting to a RCK v1 (old white) or RCK Pro (new silver).

Non-Powered USB C Adapter RCK v1

  1. Make sure the HDMI, USB C adapter, RCK and drone controller are not connected
  2. Power up the RCK
  3. Power up the drone controller
  4. Connect the HDMI cable to the RCK HDMI in
  5. Connect the HDMI to the USB C adapter
  6. When controller is completely booted up connect the USB C cable to the controller
  7. When you get a green check on RCK join event
    1. The screen will be black
  8. Unplug USB C from controller
  9. Plug USB C back in to controller

Non-Powered USB C Adapter RCK Pro

  1. Make sure the HDMI, USB C adapter, RCK and drone controller are not connected
  2. Power up the RCK
  3. Power up the drone controller
  4. Connect the HDMI cable to the RCK HDMI in
  5. Connect the HDMI to the USB C adapter
  6. When controller is completely booted up connect the USB C cable to the controller
  7. When you get a green check on RCK join event

Powered USB C Adapter RCK v1

 

  1. Make sure the HDMI, USB C adapter, RCK and drone controller are not connected
  2. Power up the RCK
  3. Power up the drone controller
  4. Connect the HDMI cable to the RCK HDMI in
  5. Connect the power to the USB C adapter
  6. Connect the HDMI to the USB C adapter
  7. When controller is completely booted up connect the USB C cable to the controller
  8. When you get a green check on RCK join event

 

 

Bruce from Drone-Tek sent the email below to their customers. This is a step by step created from that email and actually making it work with a customer.

Powered USB C Adapter RCK Pro

Have not validated this version yet, but assuming it will work just like the non-powered for the RCK pro

Autel Controller Steps

  1. Make sure the drone controller is not connected to the RCK via HDMI
  2. Power up the RCK
  3. Power up the drone and drone controller getting it ready to fly
  4. Turn off the drone controller
  5. Connect HDMI from controller to the RCK HDMI in
  6. Power up the drone controller
  7. Select the camera on the drone controller
  8. Unplug HDMI from the RCK
  9. Plug HDMI back in to the RCK

 

Email from Bruce at Drone-Tek sent to their customers on 8/14/2023.

For those of you who have the Autel Smart Controller, and you are hooking into your sideline system there is a sequence to the set up especially if you have Sky Coach. Before the hook up, check your controller to make sure you are in 1080P.  While looking through the camera view on your controller touch the arrow in the bottom right-hand side of the screen.  It will bring up a menu at the bottom of the screen.  You can scroll through that menu to find the resolution your drone and controller are outputting.  Make sure that 1080P is selected. If it is not, select it. To hook into sideline.  Get your drone and tether set up to fly, with DRONE ON FIRST AND TETHER ON SECOND.  Turn your smart controller OFF, if it is on, and plug the HDMI cord into the smart controller and your sideline box.  Once plugged in to the controller and your sideline, turn your controller on and let it completely boot up, including select CAMERA where you can see the camera view through the controller.  After the Controller completely boots up select view on your RCK, If using Sky Coach.  You should see on your RCK what is coming through your camera. It is ok for you to power down your controller after the drone and tether are on.  DO NOT POWER YOUR CONTROLLER DOWN TO HOOK INTO SIDELINE IF DRONE IS IN THE AIR.

 

Air 3S telemetry data on the screen that can't be removed. It can be removed on Air 2S

 

Drone/Controller Resources and Info

Based off a little research, it looks like most DJI drones and controllers have an FAQ page that mentions what they're compatible with (for drones, go to the "Remote Controller" section). The controller FAQ's say to check the DJI website for other compatible models (probably when they release new ones), but it is currently unknown where those updates would be.

Regardless, this section will have links/info about our known working controllers and drones and/or controllers that customers have asked about (mostly focused on DJI brand).

Tip: It's a good idea to open the link to the controllers/drones even after reading the list here, as the website may have updated with newer models of drones.

When looking at the websites, make sure you're in the "FAQ" section, and look for the question that's something to the effect of "What aircraft models/remote controllers are compatible with..."

 

Drone Controllers

last updated 1/15/26

DJI Smart - current compatible drones:

  • Mavic Air 2

  • DJI Mini 2

  • DJI Air 2S

  • Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

  • Mavic 2 Zoom

  • Mavic 2 Pro

DJI RC Pro - current compatible drones:

  • DJI Mavic 3

  • DJI Mavic 3 Cine

  • DJI Air 2S

DJI RC 2 - current compatible drones:

  • DJI Mini 4 Pro

  • DJI Air 3

  • DJI Air 3S

  • DJI Neo

Drones

DJI Mini 3 - not supported by SkyCoach (compatible controllers are DJI RC-N1 and DJI RC; neither are in our known controllers section above)