Welcome to the FPV Beginners’ Guide, where we’ll explore the essential skills every FPV pilot should master.Flying a First Person View (FPV) drone can be a thrilling experience, but it also requires a certain level of skill and knowledge. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, there are essential “spells” every FPV pilot should master to enjoy a safe and exciting flight. In this guide, we’ll walk you through these six FPV spells and help you understand why they are crucial.
Spell #1: In the world of FPV, everyone has to experience accidental crashes of FPV drones.
In the world of FPV, almost no flyer is immune to an accidental FPV drone crash. It is an unavoidable spell. As a newbie, you have to be ready for it at all times, take it as an opportunity to learn and improve your skills, and your flying journey will be oh so much more enjoyable!
While crashes of FPV drones are common, the risk of crashing can be reduced through a number of precautions and learning experiences. These include: system checks, learning flight techniques, understanding the flight environment, spare parts, keeping a flight log, etc., and most importantly: practicing more. Through careful preparation and continuous learning and practicing, this will reduce the probability of crashing accident .
Spell #2: The first radio controllor is not always perfect, but it can be seen as your tuition fee.
For FPV beginners, selecting the right remote controller can be a bit perplexing. Here are some suggestions: If your budget allows, consider purchasing a couple of controllers. Generally, for beginners, it’s recommended to start with two affordable options. The Flysky i6X is a good choice; it’s compact, stable, and even supports simulator flying. Another option worth considering is the Tx16S, which comes with a 4-in-1 RF module and Hall-effect gimbals.
A friendly reminder: You don’t need to rush into buying an external high-frequency head just yet. The 4-in-1 integrated RF module should suffice for most beginners.
Spell #3: There’s always a battery, behaving like a mischievous elf. You never know what it’s up to!
Various drones require different battery choices. Whether you’re into racing or high-speed aerobatic aerial photography, the battery’s quality plays a crucial role. Beginners often struggle to make the right choice in this regard, leading to various issues. Additionally, proper battery maintenance is vital. Batteries are consumables, and their lifespan and failure rates can be improved through careful attention to detail.
Here are some battery maintenance tips for FPV beginners:
1.Ensure that the charging voltage does not exceed the specified limit (typically 4.2V per cell). The charging current should not be excessively high. For example, when charging 3S 1500mAh TATTU brand batteries, it’s generally recommended to set the charger to 1.5A-2A.
2.Properly connect the positive and negative terminals of the battery. Reversing the polarity will prevent the battery from charging, potentially damaging it and even causing overheating, leakage, or fire.
3.Avoid over-discharging the battery, as it can lead to damage. The voltage of a single battery cell should not drop below 3.0V during discharge. Typically, when the voltage reaches around 3.6V per cell, it’s time to consider landing the aircraft.
4.Store batteries in a cool environment. For long-term storage (more than 3 months), it’s advisable to keep them in an environment with a temperature between 10-25°C and free from corrosive gases. During long-term storage, it’s essential to charge and discharge the batteries every 3 months to maintain their activity. Ensure that the voltage of each cell remains within the range of 3.7V to 3.9V.
5.Use a high-quality charger that matches your batteries.
6.When flying FPV, opt for reputable brand-name batteries and avoid using generic or mismatched batteries with voltage differences between cells.
7.If flying in high temperatures, try to do so before sunrise or after sunset. Pay attention to the heat dissipation of the battery and ESC. Whenever possible, allow them to cool down by positioning them outside the aircraft for better heat dissipation.
Spell #4: When your drone return, you’ll realize that something have been left– batteries, TF card, or maybe even your antenna or charger.
As FPV beginners, it’s quite common to misplace various spare parts, whether it’s your battery, TF card, antenna, or charger. Don’t worry; these losses usually occur when you’re still getting used to the hobby. As you become more experienced, these issues become less problematic. There’s no way around it – FPV flying isn’t an easy endeavor!
Spell #5: There is always a motor, like a rebellious rock star, either not singing, or singing loud and wild.
There are roughly two accessories that determine whether a drone looks good or not: the frame and the motor.
What points should you pay attention to when choosing a motor?
Firstly, you need to ensure that the motor’s mounting size matches your frame, and that the diagonal mounting screws on the base are suitable for your frame’s mounting base.
Secondly, if you’re not familiar with motor performance and efficiency, you can refer to the motor efficiency table (test parameters) provided by the manufacturer to understand the motor’s test performance. You can find the motor’s maximum current value through the manufacturer’s 100% throttle test, and then select the appropriate ESC based on this value.
Here, we recommend a motor that’s highly suitable for FPV beginners: the MEPS 2207. It’s a great fit for the commonly used five-inch drones by fpv beginners. With different KV options, it can handle various scenarios effectively.
Spell #6: You always say it’s the last one,as the result, your walls are covered with numerous drones. FPV is a lifelong addiction!
As a new FPV player, you may initially be drawn to the cool, fun, and exciting world of drones. Many people eventually get deeply involved in this futuristic competitive sport. It’s all about lightning-fast races, the thrilling whirr of propellers, and the neon lights that flash rapidly in front of your eyes, reminiscent of Formula One racing. This experience can sometimes make you feel like you’re in a sci-fi movie. Over time, it only gets better.
For an FPV pilot, there’s a world of difference between one flight and countless flights, and between the challenge of one drone and countless drones!
