Flying FPV to Not Be a Drone

Some people meditate, watch movies, or play video games. We all need some way to clear our heads and put smiles on our faces. For me, I have found that I cannot hold back a grin once I start flying. Grandpa enjoyed remote-controlled flight, and I must have inherited his joy.

Throttle, roll, pitch, and yaw

These four controls are complicated enough to purge a turbulent mind of anything that ought to be forgotten, but simple enough that my hands can translate my intention.

Some people use drones to capture footage for their social media. I don’t fly a drone. A drone is a craft that flies itself. You point where it goes and it goes there. I fly a First Person View (FPV) quadcopter. The form is the same as most drones, but the operation is totally different. I don’t direct my flight from an app. Instead, I pilot it. Inside the canopy is a tiny camera that sends video to a set of goggles that put me right in the cockpit. That big controller hangs from my neck to give me precise control over every movement.

My FPV Quad is Special to Me

I built my own FPV quad. There are others like it, and some pre-built ones that come pretty close, but this one is mine. I chose the carbon fiber frame, the motors, canopy, props, and electronics myself. I assembled, soldered, and glued each piece according to my design; I even programmed the electronics to tune the flight characteristics.

Every time I liftoff, It fills me with pride and adrenaline. This little aircraft can race at speeds around 60 mph. It can scale the height of the biggest buildings in the city in a second, dive, and stop on a dime just feet above the ground as fast as my hands can control it.

My quad makes it feel like I am the one flying. It releases me from my thoughts and gives me a break from the monotonous drone of life. Best of all, I have a second headset. Come fly with me.