FPV Drones

Personal documentation for FPV drone journey - from simulator training to sub-250g builds with DJI O4 Lite.

DJI O4 Lite

Type: Camera/VTX

Price	$279
Weight	8.5g
Voltage	3.7-13.2V
Mounting	16mm (non-standard)
Resolution	4K 60fps
FOV	117.6°
Link	Buy/Info

OUT_OF_STOCK

CRITICAL: Requires 5V 2A BEC. Weight is 8.5g NOT 41g as commonly misreported!

Current Status

Controller: Radiomaster Boxer (USB-ready for sim)
Simulator: Uncrashed configured and ready
Build Planning: Sub-250g DJI O4 Lite system
Training Phase: Week 0 - Foundation building

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"

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:

Start gate at ground level
Gate 1: 20m forward, 3m high
Gate 2: 20m right, 3m high
Gate 3: 20m back, 3m high
Gate 4: 20m left, 3m high
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

Option 1: Happymodel Mobula8 Analog Setup

Happymodel Mobula8

Type: Whoop Drone

Price	$116.99
Weight	45g (w/o battery)
Voltage	1-2S
Link	Buy/Info

IN_STOCK

85mm analog whoop, great for learning

HDZero FPV Goggles

Type: FPV Goggles

Price	$729.00
Weight	418g
Resolution	1280x960 OLED
Link	Buy/Info

IN_STOCK

Premium digital goggles, also supports analog with module

Complete Shopping List:

DRONES & PARTS
2× Mobula8 @ $116.99 each                = $233.98
2× Spare frames @ $5.99                  = $11.98
2× Gemfan Hurricane props (8pc) @ $3.99  = $7.98

BATTERIES & POWER
4× GNB 2S 530mAh 90C @ $12.99           = $51.96
ISDT Q6 Nano Charger                     = $49.99

VIDEO SYSTEM
HDZero Goggles                           = $729.00
ImmersionRC rapidFIRE module             = $149.00
Elgato Cam Link 4K                       = $97.99

ANTENNAS
2× Lumenier AXII Long Range @ $19.99     = $39.98
2× TrueRC X-AIR MK II @ $39.99          = $79.98

TOOLS & ACCESSORIES
NewBeeDrone Tool Kit V1.6                = $39.99
Sequre SQ-D60B Soldering Iron           = $59.99
VIFLY Finder Mini buzzer                 = $25.00
LiPo Safe Bag                           = $12.99

TOTAL:                                    $1,589.81

Option 2: DJI O4 Lite Sub-250g Builds

2" Ultra-Light Build (Target: <200g)

BetaFPV Meteor75 Pro Frame

Type: Frame

Price	$79.99 (BNF)
Weight	7.7g
Mounting	Native O4 support
Link	Buy/Info

IN_STOCK

Complete BNF option while O4 units are unavailable separately

JHEMCU GHF13 AIO

Type: Flight Controller

Price	$29.99
Weight	4.3g
Voltage	2-4S
Link	Buy/Info

IN_STOCK

Lightest 13A AIO available, F411 processor

Build Specs:

Motors: 4× 1103 11000KV @ $8.99 each = $35.96
GPS: NLRC TinyGPS (1.6g) = $19.99
Battery: 2S 450mAh = $11.99
Total weight: ~180g

3" Performance Build (Target: 235-245g)

FPV Cycle TP3 Frame

Type: Frame

Price	$44.99
Weight	11-12g
Link	Buy/Info

IN_STOCK

T700 carbon, removable arms, O4 canopy options available

BetaFPV F722 35A Stack

Type: FC/ESC Stack

Price	$89.99
Voltage	3-6S
Link	Buy/Info

IN_STOCK

Dual BEC outputs critical for O4 Lite power stability

T-Motor F1404 4500KV

Type: Motor

Price	$18.99
Weight	9.8g each
Voltage	3-4S
Link	Buy/Info

IN_STOCK

Industry standard for sub-250g 3" builds

Build Specs:

Motors: 4× T-Motor F1404 @ $18.99 = $75.96
GPS: HGLRC M100 Mini (2.8g) = $24.99
Buzzer: VIFLY Finder Mini = $25.00
Battery: GNB 4S 650mAh = $17.99
Total weight: ~240g

Critical Components

GNB 4S 650mAh 90C

Type: Battery

Price	$17.99
Weight	65g
Voltage	14.8V nominal
Link	Buy/Info

IN_STOCK

Best power/weight ratio for sub-250g builds

HGLRC M100 Mini GPS

Type: GPS Module

Price	$24.99
Weight	2.8g
Link	Buy/Info

IN_STOCK

M10 chip for fast satellite acquisition

Critical O4 Lite Build Requirements

Vibration Control:

Soft mounting MANDATORY (TPU dampers/silicone balls)
Hard mounting = unusable jello footage
Route 50mm camera cable away from vibration sources
Configure ESCs to 48kHz PWM (not 24kHz)

Power Stability:

Quality 5V 2A BEC essential even with 2-4S batteries
System fails below 3.7V
For 1S builds: BetaFPV Matrix 1S 3IN1 HD only

Betaflight Setup:

Use "FPV.WTF MSP-OSD" preset for O4 Lite
Oscar Liang's Setup Guide

Supply Chain Reality (Jan 2025)

O4 Lite Availability: CRITICAL SHORTAGE

GetFPV, RaceDayQuads, Pyrodrone: OUT OF STOCK
Alternative: BNF options available
- BetaFPV Meteor75 Pro O4 - $79.99
- BetaFPV Pavo Femto - $104.99

In Stock Components:

Frames: Sub250 Nanofly20, GEPRC Smart35, AOS 3.5 V5
Motors: BetaFPV/T-Motor/Sub250 1404s ($15-25 each)
FCs: SpeedyBee F405 AIO, various 20-40A options ($40-55)

Long Range Reference Build

From Reddit user with 25min flights:

FC:       iFlight F7 TwinG V2.1
ESC:      iFlight Sussex 50amp
Motors:   Brother Hobby Avenger 2806.5 1300kv
FPV cam:  Runcam Micro Eagle V3
GPS:      BrainFPV GPS
VTX:      Rush Tank Ultimate Plus
Antenna:  True RC Singularity
RX:       TBS Crossfire Nano V2 @ 500mw

Essential Concept Flashcards

Stick Movement Effects:

Throttle increase = vertical climb
Pitch forward = nose down, forward movement
Yaw = rotation around vertical axis
Roll + yaw = coordinated turns

Flight Physics:

Forward drift = momentum conservation
Prop wash = turbulent air from props
Battery sag = voltage drop under load
PID tuning = response characteristic adjustment

Technical Concepts:

Rates = maximum rotation speed
Expo = stick sensitivity curve
Self-leveling = auto-stabilization
Rate mode = full manual control

Progress Philosophy

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

Weekly cycles > Daily habits:

2-3 gym sessions "when vibe hits"
3-5 MIT lectures per week
Project-based learning bursts
90-100% engagement when posting

The episodic productivity pattern works - leverage hyperfocus windows rather than forcing daily consistency.