FPV Training
FPV Simulator Training Program
A comprehensive 8-week training program designed to develop FPV piloting skills through systematic simulator practice using the Radiomaster Boxer controller and Uncrashed simulator software.
Initial Setup
Hardware Configuration
- USB Connection:
- Plug Radiomaster Boxer into computer
- Should appear as standard game controller
- No additional drivers required for simulator use
- Uncrashed Settings:
- Launch Uncrashed simulator
- Navigate to Controller Configuration
- Select "Game Controller" or "DirectInput"
- Calibrate sticks through complete range of motion
- Channel Mapping:
- Throttle: Axis 3
- Yaw: Axis 4
- Pitch: Axis 2
- Roll: Axis 1
- Verify all directions match physical stick movement
Recommended Beginner Settings
Rate Configuration:
- Roll Rate: 400 degrees/second
- Pitch Rate: 400 degrees/second
- Yaw Rate: 200 degrees/second
Expo Settings:
- Roll Expo: 0.3
- Pitch Expo: 0.3
- Yaw Expo: 0.3
Core Training Philosophy
Primary Objectives
- Knowledge Foundation
- Understanding transmitter controls and their effects
- Learning flight physics principles
- Mastering stick control theory
- Building muscle memory through deliberate practice
- Systematic Skill Development
- Each skill builds on previous foundations
- Measurable progress through specific benchmarks
- Focused practice sessions with clear goals
- Regular evaluation and adjustment
- Documentation and Analysis
- Detailed session logs
- Progress tracking
- Skill assessment
- Knowledge retention verification
Training Weeks
Week 0: Foundation Building
Knowledge Preparation:
Create study materials covering:
- Stick axes and their effects on aircraft movement
- Rate and expo settings impact on control feel
- Basic flight physics and momentum principles
- Common FPV terminology and concepts
Setup Tasks:
- Install and configure simulator software
- Set up Radiomaster Boxer for simulator use
- Configure rates to beginner-friendly settings
- Create practice environment presets
- Establish logging system for progress tracking
Week 1-2: Basic Control Development
Daily Practice Structure (1 hour):
Morning Session (30 minutes):
- 10 min: Hovering practice
- 10 min: Basic forward flight
- 10 min: Flight physics flashcard review
Evening Session (30 minutes):
- 15 min: Basic maneuver practice
- 15 min: Control theory study
Skills Focus:
- Throttle Control:
- Maintaining steady altitude
- Smooth altitude changes
- Hover stability
- Power management
- Basic Directional Control:
- Forward and backward movement
- Left and right translation
- Basic turns
- Coordinated movement
Success Criteria:
- Maintain hover within 1m cube for 30 seconds
- Complete basic square pattern
- Execute controlled takeoff and landing
- Demonstrate understanding of stick positions
Week 3-4: Orientation and Movement
Daily Practice Structure (1 hour):
Morning Session (30 minutes):
- 15 min: Orientation exercises
- 15 min: Pattern flying
Evening Session (30 minutes):
- 15 min: Recovery practice
- 15 min: Advanced control theory study
Skills Focus:
- Orientation Training:
- Nose-in hovering
- Side-in hovering
- Multiple orientation transitions
- Spatial awareness development
- Basic Patterns:
- Figure-8 patterns
- Circular paths
- Square paths with consistent altitude
- Basic line practice
Success Criteria:
- Complete figure-8 in all orientations
- Maintain orientation during pattern work
- Execute smooth transitions between patterns
- Demonstrate consistent altitude control
Week 5-6: Advanced Control Development
Daily Practice Structure (1 hour):
Morning Session (30 minutes):
- 20 min: Advanced pattern practice
- 10 min: Speed control exercises
Evening Session (30 minutes):
- 20 min: Precision exercises
- 10 min: Advanced flight theory study
Skills Focus:
- Advanced Pattern Work:
- Complex geometric patterns
- Varying speed patterns
- Multi-level patterns
- Precision cornering
- Speed Management:
- Controlled acceleration
- Precise deceleration
- Speed-dependent turn radius
- Momentum management
Success Criteria:
- Execute complex patterns at varying speeds
- Demonstrate precise speed control
- Complete advanced geometric patterns
- Show consistent control in all orientations
Week 7-8: Racing and Technical Skills
Daily Practice Structure (1 hour):
Morning Session (30 minutes):
- 20 min: Race track practice
- 10 min: Technical skill development
Evening Session (30 minutes):
- 20 min: Obstacle course navigation
- 10 min: Race theory study
Skills Focus:
- Racing Fundamentals:
- Racing lines
- Gate approaches
- Speed management
- Corner optimization
- Technical Skills:
- Split-S turns
- Power loops
- Inverted flight
- Quick direction changes
Success Criteria:
- Complete race track without crashes
- Execute basic freestyle maneuvers
- Navigate technical obstacles
- Demonstrate race-ready control
Uncrashed Benchmark Course
Course Design
Initial Setup:
- Open Uncrashed Track Editor
- Select "Empty Track" as starting point
- Set environment to "Daytime Clear"
Gate Placement (Figure-8 Pattern):
- Start Gate: Ground level
- Gate 1: 20m forward, 3m high
- Gate 2: 20m right of Gate 1, 3m high
- Gate 3: 20m behind Gate 2, 3m high
- Gate 4: 20m left of Gate 3, 3m high
- Finish Gate: Return to start position
Course Specifications:
- Total length: Approximately 100m
- Gate size: 3m x 3m standard
- Minimum flight height: 2m
- Maximum flight height: 5m
- Required turns: 4 (2 left, 2 right)
Training Protocol
Warm-up Phase:
- Load "Hover Practice" from Basic Training
- Complete 2-minute hover challenge
- Run Figure-8 training once
Benchmark Attempts:
- Three attempts at custom course
- Record total time, clean gates hit, height violations
- Track optimal line adherence
Progress Metrics:
- Beginner Phase: Complete course, all gates clean, time under 90 seconds
- Intermediate Phase: Consistent clean runs, time under 60 seconds
- Advanced Phase: Time under 45 seconds, perfect racing line
- Expert Phase: Time under 30 seconds, consistent clean runs
Documentation System
Daily Practice Log Template
Date: YYYY-MM-DD Session Duration: XX minutes Skills Practiced: - [List specific exercises] - [Note progress on each] Knowledge Review: - [Flash card topics covered] - [New concepts learned] Performance Metrics: - Hover stability time: [seconds] - Pattern completion success rate: [percentage] - New skills attempted: [list] Goals for Next Session: - [Specific skills to focus on] - [Areas needing improvement]
Weekly Assessment Checklist
- Control Precision
- Hover stability
- Pattern accuracy
- Speed management
- Orientation handling
- Knowledge Retention
- Flash card review success
- Theory application
- Technical understanding
- Problem-solving ability
- Skill Progression
- New skills acquired
- Improvement in existing skills
- Areas needing focus
- Overall progress assessment
Hardware Recommendations
Complete FPV Setup
| Component | Model | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drones | Happymodel Mobula8 1-2S 85mm | $116.99 | 2 |
| Batteries | Gaoneng GNB 2S 530mAh 90C LiPo | $12.99 | 4 |
| Goggles | HDZero FPV Goggles | $729.00 | 1 |
| Recording | Elgato Cam Link 4K | $97.99 | 1 |
| Expansion | HDZero Analog Expansion Module V2 | $49.99 | 1 |
| Receiver | ImmersionRC rapidFIRE w/ Analog PLUS | $149.00 | 1 |
| Total Base System | $1,451.84 |
Spare Parts and Accessories
- Propellers: Gemfan Hurricane 2023 Tri-Blade - $3.99 per set
- Frames: Happymodel Mobula8 Frame - $5.99 each
- Antennas: Lumenier AXII 2 Long Range 5.8GHz - $19.99 each
- Tools: NewBeeDrone Tool Kit V1.6 - $39.99
- Charger: ISDT Q6 Nano Battery Charger - $49.99
Long-Range Build Example
Based on community recommendation for 25-minute flight times:
- Flight Controller: iFlight F7 TwinG V2.1
- ESC: iFlight Sussex 50amp
- Motors: Brother Hobby Avenger 2806.5 1300kv
- FPV Camera: Runcam Micro Eagle V3
- GPS: BrainFPV GPS
- VTX: Rush Tank Ultimate Plus
- Antenna: True RC Singularity
- Transmitter: TBS Crossfire Nano TX V2 (500mw)
Essential Knowledge Areas
Transmitter Theory
- Stick movement effects on aircraft attitude
- Rate settings and control sensitivity
- Expo curves and stick feel customization
- Switch functions and flight mode management
Flight Physics
- Pitch angle relationship to forward speed
- Roll and yaw coordination in turns
- Momentum and inertia effects on control
- Prop wash and turbulence impacts
Technical Concepts
- PID tuning basics and effects
- Battery voltage sag compensation
- Signal strength and failsafe procedures
- Video transmission fundamentals