Becoming an FPV drone operator is an increasingly common desire among Ukrainians. And not only among the military. Civilians also want to operate UAVs and help in practice, to win the war. The popularity of FPV drones is constantly growing due to the unique opportunity to be present in the air in real time. You will get “eyes” and “hands” that can reach the enemy at a great distance, without risking the operator's life. If you want to learn how to fly an FPV drone, this guide will help you understand the basics.

What are FPV drones and why are they becoming more popular?

FPV (First Person View) drones are unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs that transmit images from a camera to special glasses or a pilot's monitor. In this way, a person can feel like he or she is in the cockpit of a drone and see in real time everything that is in the drone's field of view. Drones come in different sizes and have different functions and purposes:

  • TinyWhoop is a miniature-sized drone used for indoor flights.
  • FPV racing drones are lightweight and fast models for sports racing.
  • Cinematic drones - used for professional video shooting.
  • Agrodrones are used in agriculture to spray fields.
  • Rescue and cargo drones - can carry small loads or assist in search and rescue operations.

A separate category of vehicles that is most relevant today in modern Ukraine is military drones. They play an important role in modern warfare. They are one of the main tools for reconnaissance, targeting, and striking targets. 

Classification of military drones by size and function

Different types of devices are used in military operations:

  • Nanodrones (up to 0.5 kg), for example, Black Hornet (Norway). These UAVs are typically used for tactical reconnaissance and video transmission. Nanodrones are suitable for checking enemy positions in urban battles and reconnaissance in trenches.
  • Small drones (0.5-25 kg), such as DJI Mavic, Autel EVO, Leleka-100. These are powerful tools for aerial reconnaissance, artillery adjustment, and FPV drone guidance. These devices are actively used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and volunteer units to adjust strikes and drop grenades.
  • Medium-sized drones (25-150 kg), such as the Bayraktar TB2, which was popular at the beginning of the war, and Raybird-3. These are medium-sized strike and reconnaissance drones used to target HIMARS and conduct long-range surveillance. It was the Bayraktar TB2 that Ukraine used at the beginning of the war to destroy Russian convoys and liberate the occupied territories.
  • Large drones (150+ kg), for example, MQ-9 Reaper, Akinci, Saker Scout. the main functions of such aircraft are strategic reconnaissance, strikes on important objects, and destruction of enemy manpower and equipment. Today, Ukraine is working on the development of large format drones “Sokol-300”. 

Ukraine is constantly improving UAV technology and will gain a significant advantage on the battlefield thanks to this and the help of its allies. Various types of drones are used in warfare:

  • FPV drones - modified kamikaze drones are used to target enemy equipment and manpower.
  • Reconnaissance drones are essential for accurate targeting of artillery and MLRS.
  • Logistics drones help deliver ammunition and medical supplies to military positions.
  • Strike drones are indispensable for attacks on warehouses, command posts and bridges in the temporarily occupied territories.

What knowledge do you need to fly drones?

But the use of drones will only be effective if people with professional skills operate the devices. And it's not just about knowing the technical features of drones. To successfully operate the devices, you need to:

  • Develop fine motor skills - this ensures precise hand movements when controlling the sticks of the remote control.
  • Have basic piloting skills, understand UAV stabilisation and control modes in different situations.
  • Develop spatial thinking - this will help you correctly estimate the distance and direction of flight.

Technical knowledge of the basics of assembling and configuring drones can be obtained at special courses run by the ArmDrones School.

Where to learn how to fly an FPV drone 

If you want to be trained by professionals, pay attention to FPV courses by ArmDrones is one of the leading training centres for FPV drone operators. The school offers comprehensive knowledge:

  • Theoretical training (drone structure, flight principles, safety).
  • Practical training on simulators and real drones.
  • Tips from experienced instructors.
  • Access to the community of FPV pilots.

The main mistakes of beginners and how to avoid them

Almost everyone makes mistakes when starting out with drones. Learning from professionals with real-world experience in drone operations can help you reduce the time it takes to gain professional knowledge and quickly get rid of unwanted mistakes. Why do beginners take a while to master drone control? The most common mistakes include:  

  • Too many sticks movements - train smooth control and develop fine motor skills. 
  • Training on a real drone right away. To optimise your learning curve, it's best to use a simulator first. This way, you can avoid breakdowns and save quite expensive boards. 
  • Rushing into complex modes. Start with the stabilisation modes and gradually move to full manual control.

Tips from professional FPV operators

ArmDrones experts will help you avoid mistakes and save precious time:

  • Train in the simulator for 15-30 minutes per session, up to 4 hours per day.
  • Don't be afraid of failure, because all beginners make mistakes, the main thing is not to give up.
  • Learn to analyse your flights by watching recorded videos, finding and correcting mistakes, and, if necessary, asking for help from more experienced operators.

Learning FPV piloting is an exciting process. It opens up many opportunities and helps bring victory closer.