FPV Drones

FPV Drones

Racing through the Hudson Valley at 100mph

Personal documentation for FPV drone journey - from simulator training through building and flying the fleet.

The Fleet

=== 🆕 Pavo 20 Pro 3S - Just Joined!

BetaFPV Pavo 20 Pro 3S
Manufacturer	BetaFPV
Class	2" Whoop Racer
Frame	20mm brushless
Weight	25-30g (no battery)
Motors	1105/1106 6000KV brushless
ESC	15A ESC integrated
Battery	3S LiPo (450-550mAh)
Voltage	11.1V nominal
Flight Time	6-8 minutes
Camera	RunCam Nano or similar
VTX	25mW integrated
Status	ACTIVE FLEET
Newest addition! Perfect blend of speed, agility, and durability for Hudson Valley freestyle

=== Training Drone Options

Happymodel Mobula8
Manufacturer	Happymodel
Class	85mm Micro Whoop
Frame	85mm brushless
Weight	45g (w/o battery)
Motors	1102 10000KV
ESC	6A ESC
Battery	1-2S LiPo (300-550mAh)
Voltage	3.7-7.4V
Flight Time	5-7 minutes
Camera	Optional analog camera
VTX	Optional analog VTX
Status	RECOMMENDED FOR LEARNING
Great for beginner FPV practice, forgiving handling, affordable

BetaFPV Meteor75 Pro
Manufacturer	BetaFPV
Class	2" Ultra-Light
Frame	75mm brushless
Weight	28g (no battery)
Motors	1103 8000KV
ESC	13A integrated
Battery	2-3S LiPo
Voltage	7.4-11.1V
Flight Time	5-6 minutes
Camera	RunCam Nano 4K
VTX	25mW digital (DJI O4 compatible)
Status	OPTIONAL - O4 LITE CAPABLE
DJI O4 Lite compatible BNF option, excellent performance platform

Current Status =

• Active Fleet: Pavo 20 Pro 3S (just flying!)
• Training: Continuing simulator time with Radiomaster Boxer
• Controller: Radiomaster Boxer (USB-ready for sim + field)
• Simulator: Uncrashed configured and ready
• Next Phase: Low-altitude freestyle around Hudson Valley spots

Philosophy & Approach

Virtual training removes equipment risk, allowing focus on proper technique and understanding. Building knowledge foundation through:

• Transmitter control theory
• Flight physics principles
• Deliberate practice with measurable benchmarks
• Systematic skill development

"Knowledge builds confidence, Practice builds skill, Analysis ensures progress, Patience ensures success"

The Pavo 20 Pro 3S is the perfect platform to translate that training into field flying - light enough for tight spaces, fast enough to learn racing lines, durable enough to survive crashes.

Simulator Training Program

Radiomaster Boxer Setup for Uncrashed

1. USB connection (appears as game controller)
2. Uncrashed > Controller Configuration > DirectInput
3. Channel mapping:
   - Throttle: Axis 3
   - Yaw: Axis 4
   - Pitch: Axis 2
   - Roll: Axis 1
4. Verify directions match stick movement

Conservative Beginner Rates

Roll Rate:  400°/s    Roll Expo: 0.3
Pitch Rate: 400°/s    Pitch Expo: 0.3
Yaw Rate:   200°/s    Yaw Expo: 0.3

8-Week Progressive Training

Week 0: Foundation Building

• Install/configure simulator
• Create flashcard system for:
  • Stick axes and effects
  • Rate vs self-leveling modes
  • Throttle behavior types
  • PID concepts (basic)
  • Common FPV terminology
• Establish daily practice log

Weeks 1-2: Basic Control (1hr/day)

• Morning (30min): 10min hover, 10min forward flight, 10min flashcards
• Evening (30min): 15min maneuvers, 15min control theory
• Success criteria: 30sec hover in 1m³, basic square pattern

Weeks 3-4: Orientation & Movement

• Nose-in/side-in hovering practice
• Figure-8 patterns all orientations
• Recovery practice from disorientation
• Success: Complete figure-8, maintain orientation

Weeks 5-6: Advanced Control

• Complex geometric patterns
• Speed-dependent turn radius
• Multi-level patterns
• Success: Variable speed control, precision corners

Weeks 7-8: Racing & Technical

• Race lines and gate optimization
• Split-S, power loops, inverted flight
• Obstacle navigation
• Success: Clean track runs, basic freestyle moves

Daily Practice Log Template

Date: YYYY-MM-DD
Session Duration: XX minutes
Skills Practiced:
- [specific exercises]
- [progress notes]
Knowledge Review:
- Flash cards covered
- New concepts learned
Performance Metrics:
- Hover stability time
- Pattern completion rate
- New skills attempted
Next Session Goals:
- [specific focus areas]
- [improvement targets]

Benchmark Course Design

Figure-8 pattern for consistent skill measurement:

1. Start gate at ground level
2. Gate 1: 20m forward, 3m high
3. Gate 2: 20m right, 3m high
4. Gate 3: 20m back, 3m high
5. Gate 4: 20m left, 3m high
6. Return to start position

Progression Targets:

• Beginner: Complete without DNF, <90 seconds
• Intermediate: Clean runs, <60 seconds
• Advanced: Perfect line, <45 seconds
• Expert: Optimal racing line, <30 seconds

Hardware Planning

DJI O4 Lite - Premium Digital Vision

DJI O4 Lite Camera Unit
Manufacturer	DJI
Class	FPV Camera/VTX
Frame	16mm mounting (non-standard)
Weight	8.5g
Motors	N/A
ESC	N/A
Battery	3.7-13.2V input
Voltage	5V 2A output required
Flight Time	N/A
Camera	DJI 4K 60fps FOV 117.6°
VTX	DJI digital transmitter
Status	AWAITING STOCK
CRITICAL: Requires 5V 2A BEC. Weight is 8.5g NOT 41g as commonly misreported! Currently out of stock at major suppliers.

Recommended Starter Setup (Mobula8 Analog)

• Drone: Happymodel Mobula8 @ $116.99
• Goggles: HDZero FPV Goggles @ $729.00
• Batteries: 4× GNB 2S 530mAh @ $12.99 each
• Charger: ISDT Q6 Nano @ $49.99
• Transmitter: Radiomaster Boxer @ $89.99 (if needed)

Total Beginner Setup: ~$1,100 with goggles, ~$300 without

Flight Locations - Hudson Valley

• Overlook Mountain (near Woodstock) - wide open fields
• Minnewaska State Park - dramatic terrain
• Local athletic fields - safe flat zones
• Abandoned quarries - natural amphitheater feeling

Safety & Field Ops

• LiPo Safety: Always charge in fireproof bag
• Props: Always use XT30 connectors with smoke stopper
• Weather: Check wind before flying (>12mph limits 2" whoops)
• Location Scouting: Walk it first, no people/animals nearby
• Arming: Arm only when goggles on and throttle verified
• Battery Monitoring: Land at 3.0V per cell minimum

Progress Philosophy

"I struggle to do ANYTHING every single day, but I can do things every single week."

Weekly cycles > Daily habits:

• 2-3 practice sessions "when vibe hits"
• 3-5 hours sim time per week
• Project-based learning bursts
• 100% engagement when flying

The episodic productivity pattern works - leverage hyperfocus windows rather than forcing daily consistency. The Pavo justifies the effort! 🚀