FPV Aircraft: Assembly, Parts Needed, RC Models and Flight Specifications

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The launch of a radio-controlled aircraft gives a lot of adrenaline, drive and positive emotions to both a child and an adult. This entertainment is available to everyone. There are FPV aircraft for sale for every taste. In addition, if you wish, you can make a budget, but working version with your own hands.

A little about First Person View

FPV stands for First Person Flight Control.

Many modellers draw an analogy of such flights with video games. But still, no simulation game can compare to the thrill of real soaring or crazy high altitude racing.

Flying simulators are a safe way to spend your time, unlike racing or simple FPV flying, where adrenaline levels rise due to factors:

• real terrain;
• real RC equipment;
• real money invested in equipment;
• real risk of crash.

As early as 3-5 years ago, FPV equipment could only be found on expensive aircraft and multi-rotor aircraft. But with developmenttechnologies, even budget UAV models got the opportunity to install such a "stuffing".

The average cost of inexpensive drones with built-in equipment is about 6,000 rubles. Such units are needed to learn and understand your needs in this matter. They are a test before choosing the next, more advanced and expensive FPV RC aircraft.

FPV kit contents

First Person View in the RC-simulated world is an online broadcast of video data from the UAV camera to the screen of the radio control panel. In other words, she is the pilot's eyes in the air. In this way, you can observe the scope of the drone even when it is out of the field of view of a person.

The device is equipped with a video signal transmitter with an antenna and a camera, while the operator on the ground remains with a remote control (receiver) in which a monitor is built-in, or FPV goggles with a built-in receiver.

For some models, you can choose and install the equipment yourself. This gives the pilot a choice, as long as the receiver and transmitter are compatible.

Inexperienced RC modellers can purchase a UAV already equipped with an aircraft FPV system operating on popular frequency bands.

Skywalker Falcon YF-0908

This flying wing has a large area, enough to install all the FPV equipment. Due to its light weight, piloting time is increased and it is also easier to control.

Stylish and functional devicecharacterized by:

• ergonomically designed (length 620mm, weight 520g);
• stunning wingspan (1340mm);
• large area to accommodate equipment;
• ease of piloting.

Equipment installation is extremely easy and simple. The kit includes glue to connect the parts in four places, after which the wing is ready to launch. Given the low price (about 3300 rubles), the Skywalker YF-0908 is an ideal option for both a young pilot and an advanced ace.

Because this model is produced without equipment, it needs to be completed:

• radio equipment (minimum 4 channels with DeltaMixing);
• 3s LiPo battery (1500mAh~2200mAh);
• servos (2x9 g);
• brushless motor (2228 1900 KV);
• speed controller 20A~30A w/BEC;
• propeller 6 x 4.

Skywalker Falcon YF-0908 ARF Black

This copter combines functionality, ease of use and adequate cost (about 7000 rubles). The 0908 flying wing is a very high strength unit that is resistant to impacts, drops, collisions and hard landings. Additional wing stiffness is provided by carbon rods.

Skywalker YF-0908 Falcon belongs to SFV models which are characterized by:

1. Complete without electronics.
2. Ultra-rigid EPO construction.
3. High performance stability.
4. Great FPV platform.
5. Simplicityhand launch.
6. Stability in control at all speeds.
7. 3K carbon spars.

This unit is compatible with radio equipment (from 4 channels with DeltaMixing) and 1500mAh~2200mAh 3s LiPo battery sold separately.

Skywalker X8 Black 2122-MM ARF V2

Those who prefer the most advanced technology and have a big budget will love this FPV aircraft. Although its price is almost 23,000 rubles, it's worth it. The stylish model with a wingspan of more than two meters can soar above the ground for a long time due to the built-in capacitive batteries.

Inside the drone there is a large and spacious compartment that can accommodate all the necessary equipment. Niches for the camera, antenna and other little things are located separately.

This easy-to-assemble unit comes with:

• fuselage;
• cantilevers and wing keels;
• brushless motor (1000KV/700W) and regulator for it;
• two Corona DS-239HV 4.6kg/22g digital servers with metal gears;
• 12 x 6 plastic folding screw with battery spinner;
• plastic mounts for consoles, keels and motor mounts;
• two carbon tubes for mounting wing consoles;
• mounts for attaching body cover magnets, mounting chassis and motor;
• rods and "boars" for installation on elevons;
• two tubes of glue for assembly.

Step by step diagramproduction of UAVs

There are different options for homemade FPV aircraft. With your own hands, you can make it in just a day, half of which will go to dry the unit. The conceived model is able to carry about 400 g of additional weight.

The preparatory process includes the following steps:

1. Purchasing a package of polystyrene ceiling tiles.
2. Download model drawings from the Internet and print them.
3. Gluing all sheets of the drawing with adhesive tape along the red stripes indicating the joints of the sheets, and cutting them out with scissors.
4. Cutting a wing (four blanks) according to the scheme. To do this, the polystyrene tiles must first be glued in two layers.
5. Pasting a pine lath to stiffen the future product.
6. Gluing blanks together in two pairs.
7. Production of the nose of the aircraft. The length of one tile is not enough for this - you need to divide it into two parts and make two such blanks, fastening the cut with tape.
8. Cutting out two "half-tail" fragments, each of which is two-layered. That is, the result is four blanks.
9. Pasting the rail into the wing by cutting through the blank and inserting the rail inside. From above, the part is sealed with tape.
10. The preparation of the crossbar of the tail and the upper part of the nose by cutting and gluing in two layers.
11. Gluing all prepared fragments together.

Building an FPV aircraft

After printing the drawing andcutting out parts, you should check whether all the work has been done accurately and whether all the fragments from the circuit have been prepared. Then you can proceed to the layout of the unit in the following sequence:

1. Wing assembly. To make the model more stable, it is recommended to make a slight V of the wing. First, the halves should be glued together with adhesive tape, folded in half and walked along the edges with glue. Titan is fine. For greater strength, you can reinforce the wing with a piece of polystyrene tiles or glue a ruler.
2. Production of a motor platform. It is necessary to cut three blanks in the form of squares from the drawing, glue them together and supplement with a piece of plywood. The motor is screwed to it with the help of screws that secure the servos.
3. Fuselage equipment. The resulting design should be hung on the end of the housing template and glued foam triangles for better fixation of the motor. This is followed by cutting out the battery compartment. The horizontal part of the casing is a shelf for installing the camera, it is similarly glued with triangles.
4. Working with the tail section. In the half-tail blanks, it is necessary to make slots and glue the crossbar into them. Then the tail should be glued to the wing, avoiding distortions. A wing pattern will help here, which shows the gluing places. For a tighter fit of the tail to the wing, the butt joints are cut slightly at an angle with a knife.
5. The final stage of assembly. It involves gluing the fuselage to the wing. To prevent the wings from folding, it is recommended to support it with carbon fiber tubes or pine slats. Then attached to the modelpropeller, and taxiing is installed on the wing by landing them on loops and pulling rods. The servos and all electronics are glued last.

Handmade FPV aircraft model is ready.

Conclusion

Of course, FPV RC aircraft are a great option for an exciting and interesting pastime. You can purchase a ready-made device in a suitable price category, or you can assemble it yourself. It takes perseverance and diligence, but the result is worth it.