Flying an FPV drone involves skill and technique, so understanding the basics is crucial; let’s dive into how to fly an FPV drone with confidence. At flyermedia.net, we provide insights into FPV flight, from choosing the right equipment to mastering flight techniques, guaranteeing a thrilling and safe experience. This article will guide you through the nuances of FPV flight, emphasizing aspects like pilot training, airspace regulations, and drone maintenance.
1. TL;DR: Key Steps to Flying FPV Drones
Starting to fly FPV (First Person View) drones can be an exhilarating experience. I strongly suggest reading this entire guide for comprehensive information. Here’s a summary to help you start your FPV drone adventure:
- Invest in a Good Radio and Simulator: Before purchasing a drone, get yourself a quality radio controller and practice in an FPV simulator.
- Build or Buy an FPV Drone: You can either assemble your own drone for a hands-on experience or purchase a ready-to-fly (RTF) bundle.
- FPV System setup: Understanding camera, VTX, VRX setup will significantly improve flying quality.
- Master the Basic Controls: Understand and practice the functions of throttle, yaw, pitch, and roll.
- Safety First: Understand and follow safety rules for flying FPV drones.
Should you need support or advice, please feel free to contact flyermedia.net. Leave a comment, search online, or join FPV forums. Seeking advice from experienced pilots and having them evaluate your parts list before ordering can help you save money and avoid costly mistakes. This tutorial will teach you how to build, maintain, and repair your FPV drone, as well as how to fly and tune it for maximum performance. Assembling and piloting an FPV drone is a fulfilling technical pastime that allows you to develop skills in electronics, mechanics, and software, as well as participate in creative problem-solving.
2. What Exactly Is An FPV Drone?
If you are new to drone flying, the term “FPV drone” may differ from the image you have in mind. The majority of people are familiar with DJI camera drones, which are designed for aerial photography and videography. FPV drones may not appear as sleek, but they are often made of carbon fiber and metal pars, which improves durability and ease of maintenance.
2.1. FPV Drone vs Camera Drone
FPV stands for First Person View, and it means that the drone pilot sees exactly what the drone’s camera sees in real time through specialized video goggles. This immersive perspective makes you feel as if you are sitting in the cockpit, allowing for highly precise and dynamic control. Traditional camera drones, on the other hand, are often flown line-of-sight or by seeing a smartphone screen displaying the drone’s camera feed. While the average person can quickly learn to fly a camera drone, mastering FPV drones entails a steeper and more technical learning curve.
Pilot Controlling FPV Drone wearing FPV Goggles
FPV drones are popular for racing and exploration because the pilot can navigate through tiny gaps and obstacles and conduct aerial maneuvers with greater precision and control than with a traditional line-of-sight view. They’re also ideal for capturing amazing aerial photography and videography, delivering unique and cinematic footage that would be impossible to capture with other camera kinds.
FPV flying demands intense attention, and the speed and agility of an FPV drone make it a truly amazing experience. It’s similar to playing a video game, except crashing has real-world repercussions, such as damaging an expensive FPV drone that can cost as much as a new PlayStation.
While some FPV drone pilots work professionally in racing or videography, the majority fly FPV on their days off as a hobby. The FPV drone community is encouraging and enthusiastic, creating a friendly environment for like-minded individuals to connect and exchange knowledge.
FPV drone racing-meetup-gate-flying
3. How Much Does It Cost To Fly A FPV Drone?
The cost of getting into FPV drones is comparable to that of DJI camera drones. The costs of building a basic FPV drone and purchasing all of the necessary equipment are listed below:
- Radio controller + FPV Simulators: US$100-$300
- FPV Goggles: US$100-$500
- FPV Drone: US$100-$500
- Batteries, charger, antennas and other accessories: US$100-$500
The total cost of building and flying an FPV drone can range from $400 to $1,800, depending on the quality and performance of the components you select.
Complete ready-to-fly bundles are available if the notion of building a drone from scratch seems overwhelming. These packages contain all of the necessary components to begin flying, and while they may be of lower quality and have fewer features, they are an excellent way to get started without breaking the bank. This choice will be discussed in greater depth later in this article.
4. Select a Radio Transmitter
Before purchasing a drone, invest in a decent radio and practice flying in an FPV drone simulator. Simulators can teach you the basics of flying without the risk of crashing your expensive drone.
Select a remote that fits your budget and use it to practice in FPV drone simulators. The same remote can later be used with a real drone, allowing your skills to transfer seamlessly to the real world.
There are a few things to consider when picking up a radio:
-
Shape:
- Full Size, Box style
- Gamepad style
-
Screen:
- Black and White
- Color (often touch screen)
-
Price, color, ergonomics, etc…
Once you’ve decided on what shape and screen you like, you are usually down to 2 to 3 options which makes it much easier to choose.
I highly recommend opting for one that supports the ExpressLRS (ELRS) 2.4GHz radio link. This is currently the most popular and powerful radio link in the hobby, ensuring excellent value and performance. Majority of the pre-built FPV drones support this radio link out of the box.
Check out my radio recommendations in this post—all of them support simulators straight out of the box.
Choosing the Best Radio Transmitter for Your FPV Drone: A Beginner’s Guide
Avoid using Xbox controllers or keyboards, as they won’t provide the same benefits. Using a proper radio controller will help you build muscle memory and ensure you get the most out of your training.
5. Practice in Simulators
Get a taste of flying FPV without a real drone – try a simulator
Some would suggest flying a small drone like a “tiny whoop” to get started, but in my opinion it’s more expensive because you have to buy all the gears that you don’t even know if you are going to use again in the future. And crashes means you could damage your drone.
Learning to fly an FPV drone in a simulator is the best way to get started and improve your skills without damaging your real drone or causing injury. It’s safe and cost effective, I strongly recommend getting some flight time in a simulator (ideally 10+ hours) before buying or building your first drone.
learning how to fly FPV drone in computer simulators
Simulators can teach you the basic controls of an FPV drone and help you develop the muscle memory your hands need.
It really doesn’t matter which simulator you choose, they can all teach you how to fly. These days, they all feel pretty realistic when it comes to physics. It won’t be 100% like real life, but it’s close enough. The main differences in these simulators are the graphics and content.
At the beginning, your goal is try to master the basic controls in the simulator, fly through gaps and avoid obstacles and not to crash. As you progress, you can start learning advanced maneuvers and techniques, such as flips, rolls, and freestyle moves.
Here is a list of FPV simulators:
The Best FPV Drone Simulators: Complete Round-Up
FPV sims are all excellent in their own ways. If you have a decent gaming PC I’d probably recommend Liftoff and Tryp, and if you have a low spec PC, then Velocidrone is more likely to work better. Most of these simulators have built-in tutorials to help you learn how to get started as a complete beginner, which is what you really need.
6. Basic FPV Drone Control Explained
FPV drones are controlled using a remote control (a.k.a. radio transmitter). The movements of the drone is controlled by the two sticks on the remote, which these sticks are often referred to as “gimbals”.
Left Stick (Throttle and Yaw):
- Throttle: This stick controls how fast the motors spin. Push it up, and the motors spin faster; pull it down, and the motors slow down. It’s all about controlling the speed of the drone’s motors.
- Yaw: Moving this stick left or right makes the drone rotate left or right. Think of it as the drone turning its head to look around.
Right Stick (Pitch and Roll):
- Pitch: Pushing this stick forward makes the drone tilt and move forward. Pulling it back does the opposite, making the drone tilt back and fly backward.
- Roll: Moving this stick to the left or right makes the drone lean and move in that direction. It’s like tilting your body to the left or right when you’re trying to balance.
7. What Are the Types of FPV Drones?
7.1. What is a Drone?
A drone in the RC flying field is usually a quadcopter, which is an aircraft with four propellers, hence the term “quads.” While it is uncertain when the term “drone” became popular in the media, it has become the standard word for any unmanned aircraft.
The term “drone” is now widely used to describe any remotely piloted aircraft, particularly those equipped with cameras.
Drones first gained popularity for aerial photography and videography outside of military applications. These early models were frequently large and designed to transport heavy camera equipment.
Drones in the FPV hobbyist sector come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Here is a quick list of the most common types you will encounter in the hobby: https://oscarliang.com/types-of-drones/
7.2. What is a Multirotor?
Multirotor refers to any “copter” with more than one main motor or propeller. For example, a tricopter has three motors/rotors, a quadcopter has four, a hexacopter has six, an octocopter has eight, and so on. They are all classified as “multi rotor.”
Here are the different configurations of multirotors.
FPV Drone sizes comparison – Mini Quad F450 Quadcopter
7.3. Drone Sizes and Types
Drone sizes are determined by the diameter of the propeller. For example, a 5-inch drone uses propellers with a 5-inch diameter. Each drone size has its own set of advantages and disadvantages and can be utilized in a variety of applications and flying styles.
7.4. 5-Inch Drones
STRIX Screech Freestyle Frame build
5-inch FPV drones are, without a doubt, the most popular drone size. It’s adaptable, with a great mix of power, efficiency, and agility. They are appropriate for almost everything like freestyle, racing, and even long-distance flying. Components are easily available and simple to work with. They can transport action cameras such as GoPros. A typical 5-inch FPV drone weighs between 500g and 700g, including the battery, and has an average top speed of 150km/h.
I have a tutorial to show you how to build a 5″ FPV drone from scratch: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-build-fpv-drone/
7.5. 4-Inch Drones
4-inch drones gained popularity due to the legal 250g weight restriction in some countries, because 4″ is the largest drone size that can still comfortably achieve this weight limit without sacrificing too much performance.
7.6. 2-Inch, 2.5-inch and 3-Inch Drones
2-inch and 3-inch drones are popular because of their small size and decent performance. They can do nearly anything a 5-inch drone can do, except for carrying a GoPro, and they usually meets the sub250 weight limit.
7.7. Tiny Whoops
Tiny Whoops are compact, ducted FPV drones intended for indoor flight. They are lightweight (about 20g to 30g including battery), easy to fly, and reasonably priced. Their built-in prop guards (or “ducts”) protect people and objects from the propellers. However, the ducts make them heavier and reduce performance, making them less ideal for outdoor use and windy conditions.
Here are what I think the best tiny whoops currently on the market.
7.8. 6 Inch and 7 Inch
6-inch and 7-inch drones have a higher top speed and can carry more payload than a typical 5-inch drone, such as a larger battery, making them ideal for long-range flights. However, because they tend to carry more momentum and are not as nimble as the smaller 5-inch, they are less popular for freestyle and racing.
7.9. X-Class and Beast Class
X-class and Beast class drones are the largest and most powerful on this list, and are not recommended for beginners due to their high cost, maintenance, and potential danger. X-class drones have frame sizes between 800mm and 1200mm and employ 9-13 inch propellers, whereas Beast class drones use sub-800mm frames. Both classes are commonly employed for racing or high-performance flying.
7.10. Ultralight (Toothpick)
Ultralight drones are small, light, and performance-oriented. Because their thin frames resemble a bunch of toothpicks tied together, these drones are also known as “toothpicks.” Toothpick-style drones are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 5inch to 1.6inch. They are not designed for crashes, but for pure performance by making them as light weight as possible. I have a tutorial explaining the considerations that go into choosing parts for a Toothpick build. You can buy one pre-built and I tested a bunch to find out which is the best.
7.11. Cinewhoops
Cinewhoops are 3-inch or smaller drones with propeller guards (ducts) intended for capturing cinematic video with an HD camera such as a GoPro. They are intended for slow, smooth flights rather than freestyle or acro flying, and they are safe for indoor flying.
Learn more about cinewhoop in this post: https://oscarliang.com/cinewhoop/
7.12. Cinelifter
Cinelifter drones are octocopters in an X8 configuration (resembling a quadcopter but with two motors on each arm), typically using 6-8 inch propellers. They are intended to transport high-end cameras for professional filming.
7.13. What size is right for you?
For beginners, a 5-inch FPV drone is highly recommended due to its flying style versatility. It can do almost everything: freestyle, racing, and cinematography. It is powerful enough to carry a GoPro and is the most popular size, making it easier to find help and support online. However, a 5-inch drone is very powerful and can be intimidating to beginners, so many prefer to start with something smaller. But once you master flying a 5-inch, you should be able to fly almost any other types of FPV drones quite comfortably. Ultimately, the size of the drone you choose will depend on your flying preferences and goals, as well as the regulations and restrictions in your area.
8. Identify Your Flying Style
Before deciding on the type of drone to build or purchase, it is critical to define your goals in flying FPV and to understand your flying style. The following are the most common flying styles in FPV:
- Freestyle
- Racing
- Long range
- Cinematic (Cinemaphotography)
8.1. Freestyle
Freestyle is arguably the most common style of FPV. Freestyle flying is about control, spatial awareness, creativity, tricks, and maneuvers. There are no rules to how you can fly, so the sky is the limit (and the ground, so try not to crash!).
Prioritize durability and responsiveness for freestyle flying. Choose motors with high torque, ESCs with sufficient current handling capabilities, and frames with strong materials and a robust design.
8.2. Racing
FPV racing involves competing against other pilots on a designated course with gates and flags. Speed, agility, and durability are crucial in racing.
Opt for lightweight frames with minimalist design, powerful motors, and ESCs that can handle high current. Low-latency FPV systems with adjustable power output are also crucial. Additionally, a high performance radio link with low latency and high refresh rate are important to maintain precise and reliable control at high speeds.
8.3. Long Range
Long-range flying aims to cover great distances while maintaining a low-key, efficient cruising style. Efficiency and reliability are key for this type of flying. Here are some tips to long range flying.
Choose motors with lower KV ratings for better efficiency, and use larger capacity LiPo or Li-ion batteries to extend flight time. Using GPS module is highly recommended in long range flying as it allows you to monitor distance and location of your drone, and “return to home” feature might be able to bring your drone home when you lose signal. Long-range capable radio systems like Crossfire and ExpressLRS are recommended to ensure a strong signal even at great distances.
8.4. Cinematic
Cinematography, or Cinematic FPV flying focuses on capturing smooth, stable footage in epic locations, without too many acrobatic moves. The ideal build for cinematic flying depends on the specific job.
Consider using drones specifically designed for this purpose, such as Cinewhoops for indoor, or 5″-7″ freestyle builds for outdoor. In windy conditions, consider larger drones as they can provide more stability, while smaller drones can fly through tight spaces for unique shots.
9. FPV Drone Kits for Beginners
Starting in the FPV hobby can be expensive, but there are affordable ready-to-fly (RTF) kits available that include everything you need to begin your journey. These kits are a great way to test the waters without investing a fortune upfront.
One example of a well-rounded, beginner-friendly FPV kit is the BetaFPV Cetus X FPV Kit. This kit includes a drone, radio, FPV goggles, battery, and charger. Before taking your drone to the skies, you can use the included radio controller to practice flying in FPV simulators like DRL, Liftoff, and Velocidrone. Once you’re comfortable in the simulator, you can try flying the Cetus micro drone in the house or local parks.
The HGLRC Draknight is another great option. This drone is more advanced, and offers excellent performance and value for mainly outdoor flying, and you can continue using the same FPV setup for future builds.
It’s important to note that while RTF kits provide a budget-friendly entry point, they often include lower-quality goggles and radio controllers with limited features. As you progress in the hobby, you may outgrow these components and need to invest in better equipment.
If you’re confident that you’ll stick with the FPV hobby and have the budget to do so, consider purchasing higher-quality goggles and radio controllers from the beginning. This way, you can avoid the need to replace them as you advance in the hobby, ultimately saving money and enhancing your flying experience from the start.
If budget isn’t a concern and you’re looking for a hassle-free FPV experience, the DJI Avata 2 kit is actually a fantastic option.
It’s beginner-friendly and ready to fly straight out of the box. Features like emergency braking and return-to-home can be genuine lifesavers, especially if you’re new to flying. That said, keep in mind that the Avata 2 locks you into DJI’s ecosystem, and repairs can be difficult—if not impossible—due to its complex, integrated design.
It’s also not built to withstand crashes, so it’s essential to start in Normal Mode and spend plenty of time in simulators before attempting Manual Mode. Overall, it’s a great choice for those who want a quick, reliable start in FPV without much tinkering. Check out my full review: https://oscarliang.com/dji-avata-2/
10. Should You Build or Buy Your First FPV Drone?
Tiny Whoop is great as your first drone. Once you’re comfortable with a Tiny Whoop, you can transition to larger quads like a 3.5-inch or even 5-inch freestyle drone. A 3.5-inch quad offers a similar experience to a 5-inch but is less intimidating and easier to handle. Building your own 5-inch freestyle quad is also a great way to learn the inner workings of FPV drones.
10.1. Build Your First FPV Drone?
Building your first drone has several benefits:
- Experience and Skills: Gaining hands-on experience with drone components and assembly will enable you to diagnose, repair, and upgrade your drone in the future.
- Budget: Building your own drone can be more cost-effective because you are not paying someone to build it for you. However, it’s less appealing if you don’t have the necessary tools like a soldering iron or screwdrivers.
- Customization: By choosing your own parts, you can tailor your drone to your specific preferences and needs. But it can be daunting if you have no idea what components to get.
While there are affordable DIY kits available such as the Eachine Tyro79, they may be lower in quality. If you prefer higher-quality components, you can purchase parts separately and follow expert recommendations.
10.2. Buy a Pre-Built FPV Drone?
If you’d rather spend more time flying and less time building, a pre-built drone might be a better choice. Keep in mind that the closer a pre-built drone is to “perfect”, the more expensive it will be (not always true, but most of the times it is). And if you break it, you’ll likely need to learn how to solder and repair it anyway. With pre-built drones, there’s a risk of getting a subpar product. Some manufacturers might use outdated electronics to save costs. Research is key here. You might think pre-built drones are the obvious choice for beginners, but I beg to differ. Building your own drone is a valuable skill, especially for making repairs or customizations. However, diving into building without any prior experience can be overwhelming.
11. FPV System Components
The FPV (First Person View) system is a crucial aspect of an FPV drone, providing the pilot with a real-time video feed from the drone’s perspective.
There are four main components involved in an FPV system:
- FPV Camera: Mounted on the drone, the FPV camera captures the live video footage of the drone’s surroundings.
- Video Transmitter (VTX): The video transmitter takes the video feed from the FPV camera and broadcasts it wirelessly on a specific frequency.
- FPV Goggles (with Video Receiver): The pilot wears FPV goggles, which receive the video feed from the VTX and display it on built-in screens. The video receiver (VRX) can either be integrated into the goggles or added as an external module.
- Antennas: Antennas play a vital role in the FPV system, as they help transmit and receive the video signal between the VTX and VRX. High-quality antennas can improve the range, signal quality, and reliability of your FPV system.
12. FPV System Options
There are 4 popular FPV systems available, come with their own set of advantages and drawbacks, including cost, image quality, and latency.
- Analog: It was the standard in the FPV community for many years. Analog is generally more affordable and offer low latency. The smaller size and lighter weight of analog components make them more suitable for micro FPV drones, such as Tiny Whoops. However, analog video quality is the least desired, often suffering from static and breakups throughout the flight.
- DJI: Most expensive but also offers the best image and transmission quality.
- Walksnail: Often considered the alternative to DJI, but image quality isn’t as good as DJI.
- HDZero: Praised for its low latency, popular in racing, but image quality is not as good as DJI and Walksnail.
To learn more about the different FPV system, check out my buyer’s guide: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-system/
13. Parts and Equipment
Before diving in, make sure to read:
Here is the anatomy of an FPV drone:
An FPV drone consists of the following parts, with buyer’s guides for each component:
To fly your quadcopter in FPV, you will also need the following equipment:
You will also need some of these essential tools for building:
- Soldering iron and solder
- A set of hex screwdrivers (e.g. 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm) for M2/M3 bolts: AliExpress | Amazon
- An M5 (8mm) nut spinner or socket ratchet for propeller nut (or you can just use your big pliers): AliExpress
- Wire Cutters
- Cable ties
- Electrical Tape
- Multimeter
- Smoke stopper
For a complete list of tools check out this post: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-tools/
13.1. Choosing Components
Selecting the right components for your first build can be challenging. If you’re unsure, consider using popular components to ensure more available support if you encounter issues. Do your research, and don’t hesitate to ask for help on forums like IntoFPV.
To give you an idea, check out the gear I use and the quads I fly.
To avoid hardware incompatibility, consider following someone else’s parts list. Hardware compatibility primarily depends on mounting sizes, which vary for different components like FCs/ESCs, cameras, motors, and propellers.
FC/ESC Sizes:
Flight controllers (FCs) and electronic speed controllers (ESCs) come in three main sizes:
- 30.5×30.5mm
- 20x20mm
- 25.5×25.5mm
