If you're looking for an exciting and unique hobby that combines technology, creativity, and adrenaline, then becoming an FPV drone pilot might just be the perfect fit for you. FPV, or first-person view, drone piloting involves using a remote-controlled drone equipped with a camera and goggles that allow you to see the drone's perspective in real-time. It's like being a bird in flight, soaring through the skies and experiencing the world from a whole new perspective.
FPV drones came into popular culture in a big way a few years ago with a viral video of an FPV drone flying through a bowling alley, and since then FPV drones have soared in popularity. V1DroneMedia also produces videos using FPV drones to bring a new aerial perspective distinctly different from a traditional drone shot. Check out a few of our videos below.
DJI FPV Drone Video with GoPro
Ohio Wheat Harvest Drone Video using DJI Inspire 2, DJI FPV, and DJI Mavic 2
But before you can take to the skies as an FPV drone pilot, there are a few things you need to know. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of getting started, mastering the basics, building your skills, and joining the community of FPV pilots.
Getting Started: Familiarize yourself with the FAA rules and get your TRUST Certificate
While this may seem mundane, you don’t want to get in hot water with the FAA just as you start to fly your drone, so learning the rules for operating unmanned aerial vehicles in the national airspace is important. If you are just starting out with drones flying them for fun (as a hobby), you should study for and pass the FAA TRUST Test (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) to get your free TRUST certificate, required to have on hand for any person operating drones as a hobbyist. You can read and watch our blog/vlog post-FAA TRUST Test for Drone Pilots Explained to learn more.
Onto the fun part: Choosing Your First Drone
If you are motivated and handy (you don’t have to be an electrical engineer), you can build your own drone. Check out an FPV drone building guide from a local Cleveland FPV drone pilot, Elliot Spaudie.
There are also a wide variety of FPV drones available to buy, ranging from simple toy models to high-end racing drones. For beginners, I recommend starting with a basic model that is easy to fly and affordable. A couple of options for beginners, depending on your budget, would be the Emax Tinyhawk II Freestyle RTF Kit, the BetaFPV Cetus Pro, DJI Avata, or DJI FPV.
Learning to Fly: Mastering the Basics
Once your drone is set up and ready to go, it's time to start practicing your flying skills. There are a few fundamental skills you'll need to master before you can start doing more advanced maneuvers. These include:
Throttle control: Learning how to control the speed and altitude of your drone.
Pitch and roll: These controls allow you to move your drone forward, backward, left, and right.
Yaw: This control allows you to rotate your drone left or right.
To practice these skills, find an open and safe location to fly your drone. Often you can do this at a local park, but check the airspace you are in, and then municipal and park regulations to make sure they don’t restrict drone flying there.
Building Your Skills: Advanced Techniques and Maneuvers
Once you've mastered the basics of flying your drone, it's time to start pushing yourself and trying out more advanced maneuvers. Here are a few to get you started:
Flips and rolls: These are basic aerobatic maneuvers that involve flipping your drone forward, backward, or sideways while maintaining altitude.
Power loops: This is a more advanced maneuver that involves flipping your drone upside-down while maintaining forward momentum, then completing a loop before righting the drone.
Racing: If you're interested in competing against other FPV pilots, racing is a great way to test your skills and see how you stack up against the competition.
It's important to remember that these maneuvers can be dangerous if not done correctly, so be sure to practice in a safe and legal manner. If you're not confident in your abilities, consider practicing in a simulator before attempting them in real life.
Joining the Community: Networking and Job Opportunities
One of the great things about becoming an FPV drone pilot is the sense of community that comes along with it. There are a variety of local and online communities of FPV pilots (check out Cleveland FPV Drone Racing Facebook Group), where you can share tips, tricks, and experiences with other enthusiasts. Joining these communities can also open networking and job opportunities.
If you are still a student, one great option for you to meet like-minded people of similar age may be to attend a Drone Racing camp, such as Spire Academy Drone Racing Camp in a Cleveland suburb of Geneva, Ohio.
One growing area where FPV pilots are in demand is in the field of specialized aerial videography. While drone videography has been around for a while, FPV drone cinematography has really caught on in the last couple of years thanks to its stunning aerobatic aerial footage that puts the viewer in the middle of the action (check out the use of FPV drone cinematography in the 2022 movie Ambulance). FPV drones are becoming an increasingly popular tool for filmmakers, ad producers, and content creators. If you have a knack for capturing breathtaking footage and solid FPV drone flying skills, this could be a great career path to explore.
Note that if you are planning to fly your FPV drone for commercial purposes (i.e. get paid to fly your FPV drone), you will need to get your FAA Part 107 Drone Certificate to be compliant with the FAA rules for commercial drone pilots. Learn more about it in our blog post Drone Pilot License, and check out V1DroneMedia’s Cleveland-based drone training classes which include Part 107 License Prep.
Another area where FPV pilots are in demand is in the field of drone racing. As the popularity of drone racing continues to grow, there are more and more opportunities for pilots to compete in local and national races. In addition to the thrill of competing, many drone racers also earn money through sponsorships and endorsements.
Finally, there are opportunities for FPV pilots in the field of drone education and training. As more and more people become interested in drone technology, there is a growing demand for experienced pilots who can teach others how to fly safely and responsibly. Whether through online tutorials, in-person classes, or private lessons, there are a variety of ways that FPV pilots can share their skills and knowledge with others.
Being an FPV drone pilot can be a thrilling and rewarding hobby and a career. Whether you're interested in racing, videography, or just flying for fun, there are a variety of opportunities to explore So what are you waiting for? Grab your drone, don your goggles, and take to the skies – the adventure awaits!
V1DroneMedia is a Cleveland-based drone services provider, including producing aerial cinematography and drone fly-through videos (we also fly FPV drones!) for a variety of industries, and providing drone training for groups and individuals. Contact us if you are need a consultation!