A Childhood Dream: My Early Fascination with Flying
I was born with a special love for flying. When I was a child, I couldn’t tell the difference between a remote-controlled aircraft and an FPV drone, but it still couldn’t affect my expectations for flying. Whenever I sit in a seat by the window of an airplane and look out the window, I feel that the world in front of me is getting smaller bit by bit, as if I am flying in the vast sky. Although I was still very young at the time, I often imagined that one day I would be able to fly an airplane freely in the sky like a pilot. In addition to looking at planes, I also like everything related to flight, such as model planes and photography. I like to fiddle with various models of aircraft, no matter how big or small, and try to use a camera to record the moment each model flies. It is these hobbies that make the dream of flying deeply rooted in my heart.
The First Step: Discovering the Limits of DJI Drones
After working, my first salary finally gave me the opportunity to realize my childhood dream. I did not hesitate to choose to purchase a popular DJI drone at the time. With excitement, I opened the package and carefully checked every part. After confirming that everything was normal, I couldn’t wait to pick up the remote control and press the take-off button. Watching the drone fly gently, the expectation and excitement in my heart were beyond words. However, as it gradually moved away from my sight in the air, my mood quietly changed. Although the drone’s flying picture is beautiful and stable, the flying speed is far from as fast as I imagined. It glides slowly through the air, giving people a smooth and safe feeling, but this is not the kind of flying experience I really want. I began to realize that if I wanted to pursue the feeling of being like a bird flying freely in the sky, DJI drones obviously could not satisfy me
What is an FPV Drone?
So I started searching around, trying to find a drone that could fly faster and more exciting, until one day, I accidentally saw a video. The flying hand in the video wears FPV goggles and controls a small transaircraft to gallop through the air. The drone flew very fast, passing through door frames, rolling, diving, and accelerating. Every flight was full of speed and tension. At the same time, the harsh but powerful buzzing sound in the air also made me feel an excitement I had never felt before. This is the flying feeling I have been looking for-high speed, excitement, as if I am racing against the air.
FPV (First Person View) drones are a special type of drone equipped with a camera that transmits live video footage to FPV goggles worn by the pilot. Unlike traditional drones focused on stable aerial photography, FPV drones are built for immersive flight experiences, emphasizing speed, agility, and precision. Pilots can navigate challenging environments, perform acrobatic maneuvers like rolls and dives, and feel as though they are inside the drone itself, creating an unparalleled sense of connection with the flight（If you want to read more about the FPV Drone, please read the FPV Drone Beginner’s Guide）.
Inspired by this, I decided to learn more about FPV flying and FPV drones. By contacting the flying hand, I realized that FPV drones were very interesting. Listening to his explanation, I realized that this flying method completely differs from the aerial drone I had known about before. FPV flying By wearing real-time video glasses, the operator can feel the flight perspective inside the aircraft, while aerial drones directly control the position and direction of the aircraft through the remote control. The perspective is generally taken by a fixed camera. FPV flying is far more attractive to me than aerial flying. In order to better understand this flight, I downloaded the simulator he recommended TRYP simulator. In the simulator, I can freely control various types of transfers and experience real FPV flight.
How to Learn FPV Drone Flying
For the first few days, I was almost in a hurry. The operations in the simulator are completely different from the DJI drone, especially the initial hovering, which I couldn’t do at all. Since the FPV crossing aircraft does not have an automatic hovering function, every flight requires coordinated cooperation between the left and right hands and precise control. If the aircraft is careless, the aircraft will lose control or deviate from orbit. I remember the first attempt, the plane always spun rapidly in the air and kept rushing towards obstacles. At that time, I was full of frustration and even wanted to give up.
To learn FPV drone flying, the first step is to practice extensively using an FPV simulator. Simulators like TRYP provide a safe and cost-effective way to build essential flying skills before transitioning to real-world drones. In the simulator, I focused on mastering the four basic operations on radio controller for FPV flying:
- Roll: Controlled by pushing the right stick left or right, it tilts the drone sideways for lateral movements.
- Pitch: Managed by pushing the right stick forward or backward, it adjusts the drone’s nose up or down for forward or backward motion.
- Yaw: Adjusted by pushing the left stick left or right, it rotates the drone, allowing changes in direction.
- Throttle: Controlled by pushing the left stick forward or backward, it regulates motor power to control altitude. FPV drones require constant manual throttle control, which can be challenging without prior practice.
The simulator allowed me to experiment with flight modes as well:
- Acro Mode: Offering full manual control without auto-leveling, this mode is essential for advanced FPV maneuvers.
- Angle Mode: Designed for beginners, this mode auto-levels the drone and limits tilt angles, making initial practice smoother.
By starting in the FPV simulator and mastering these controls, I gained the confidence and skills necessary to handle a real FPV drone safely and effectively.
But I knew that this was just a must for a novice stage, so I decided not to give up. In those days, I practiced in the simulator almost every day, starting from the most basic hovering, adjusting the direction time and time again, and gradually learning how to stably control the aircraft. I also began to try to cross gates one by one, and each time I flew more steadily and accurately than the last time. As my training continued to deepen, I was gradually able to successfully cross multiple gates and even challenge more complex tracks. Whenever I fly better and better, my heart is filled with a sense of accomplishment, as if every progress brings me one step closer to my original dream of flying.
Taking Flight: My First Real FPV Experience with BETAFPV Cetus X
After I became familiar with these basic skills in the simulator, I told myself it was time to fly a real FPV. By consulting information in relevant forums, I chose the first real machine-BETAFPV Cetus X. This machine is not too big and is more suitable for novices. I specially chose this machine in the hope that it will be easier to use. The moment I got the real machine, I was excited and nervous, as if everything had entered reality. Putting on FPV goggles and manipulating the handle, I released the drone into the air. Although it does not fly fast, it still gives me a real feeling of flying. Every movement in flight requires more careful control. If there is any mistake, the fuselage will lose its balance and may even fall off. I adjusted my control time and time again, slowly from clumsy to skillful, and every flight made me more confident.
Looking back on the experience along the way, from the initial confusion and frustration to gradually finding the feeling of flying, to controlling the real plane, every step was full of challenges and brought countless gains. FPV flying is not only an accumulation of technology but also a tempering of mentality. Through this experience, I not only learned to control drones but also found the sense of freedom in flight that I have been pursuing. Nowadays, every time I put on my goggles and control the drone to cross every obstacle in the air, my heart is always full of joy and satisfaction, because I know that I have finally found my sky in the air.
In the next blog, I will talk to you in detail about the actual operation of BETAFPV Cetus X.