Craft your own drone with this kit, and learn to fly using the included flight simulator. This allows students to experience the physics of flying and develop their skills without wearing out actual equipment! The curriculum includes engineering design activities and a career pathways investigation.
This is a BNF drone, meaning that it requires a hobby graded RC (Remote Control) to bind with. We recommend a 2.4GHz controller.
Frame
The frame is the outer shell of your drone and protects and holds all the electronics inside it. It’s important to choose a durable and strong frame, and it’s even better when it can look good too!
There are many different types of frames, from traditional to more modern styles. You can also choose from different materials to construct the frame, with carbon fiber being a popular choice for FPV drones. A carbon fiber frame is lightweight and extremely strong, so it can withstand crashes and other harsh environments.
Choosing the right frame for your drone is essential, especially if you plan on racing. The best way to find a frame that will be compatible with your racer is to check out top pilots in your class and see what they’re using. You can also find helpful information on sites like Rotor Builds, which shows off user-created drones and provides parts lists.
When selecting a frame, you should also consider the type of motors you’ll be using. There are a few different sizes to choose from, depending on how powerful you want your drone to be. For example, if you’re planning on flying in a large area, a larger drone may be more appropriate.
Finally, it’s a good idea to get a frame that has plenty of assembly space. This will make it easy to mount your electronics and allow you to customize the drone to fit your needs.
When assembling the frame, be careful not to over-tighten the screws. Doing so could damage the aluminum pieces or strip the screw heads. A dab of thread locker is a good idea to prevent this from happening.
Motors
Drone motors generate the thrust that keeps your drone airborne. They are the heart of your drone, and the selection will affect everything from frame size to flight time. You should choose a brushed or brushless drone motor that can handle the load of your frame and propellers. Brushed drone motors use electromagnets to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy in the form of linear or, most commonly, rotary motion. The attraction and repulsion of these magnets are what drives the motor shaft.
A drone’s motor performance can also be affected by the current draw and efficiency of its ESC. High-efficiency motors typically require less power to function and can help you keep your drone’s weight down. However, if your drone motors are inefficient and draw too much current, they can abuse the battery and cause voltage spikes.
Choosing a drone motor that is suitable for the type of flying you want to do is another important factor. For example, if you’re looking for a fast and agile drone, consider a brushed or brushless drone motor with a high KV rating. The higher the KV rating, the more torque the motor has, which translates into faster changes in RPM.
It’s also a good idea to purchase a few different types of drone motors to have on hand in case you need to make repairs or swap out components. The more motors you have on hand, the more options you’ll have for customizing your drone. Additionally, you’ll need a set of telemetry radios to connect your drone to the flight controller. The telemetry radios will allow you to change settings and parameters on the fly without connecting to your PC or smartphone.
Propellers
One of the most crucial components of any drone is its propellers. They are responsible for lifting the drone off the ground, maintaining stability and control, as well as allowing the drone to fly in different directions. Propellers are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes, with varying pitches and blade configurations. Choosing the right propellers will ensure that your drone can fly at various speeds and produce a good amount of thrust.
Drones can only lift a certain amount of weight, and increasing the number of propeller blades can increase this, but at a cost. The extra blades add to the overall weight of your drone, meaning it will require more power from its motor to operate. This can reduce flight time and make the drone less responsive to inputs from the controller.
In general, lighter propellers perform better than heavier ones. Heavier propellers have more mass on each blade, requiring a higher torque load from the motor to spin them. This can affect performance and even damage the motor. Lighter propellers also have a lower moment of inertia and can change RPM much faster, making them more responsive to inputs from the pilot.
Another factor to consider when selecting a propeller is its intended direction of rotation. The direction the propeller is pointing is determined by the color of the “integrated” nut that is included with each prop. Propellers with a black nut are designed to turn clockwise (CW) and those with a silver nut are meant to rotate counter-clockwise (CCW). Using the wrong type of propeller can have negative consequences, including loss of flight control.
Flight Controller
The flight controller (also called a flight control board) is the brains of your drone. It’s a circuit board that collects input from gyroscopes and accelerometers, as well as user commands. It then converts these instructions into voltage that is sent to the ESCs (Electronic Speed Controllers) that then control the motors. The ESCs reduce or increase the motor power based on the instructions received from the FC, creating different speeds to rotate and accelerate the drone.
The right stick (known as the roll and pitch stick) controls the movement of the drone, while the left stick controls the yaw direction. If you find the drone tending to fly toward one side, it is most likely because it is unbalanced. You can use the corresponding trim button on the controller to correct this.
Drone flight controllers are also capable of adjusting motor power to maintain a certain altitude. This not only allows for a more stable flight but also conserves battery power. The latest flight controllers are also equipped with redundant sensors which can help detect and respond to changes in weather conditions or other environmental factors that could affect the drone’s flight performance.
There are four types of flight controllers: FC’s for beginners - These are more basic and designed for beginner pilots to build their own drones without spending much money from the get go. FC’s for racing – These are designed to be lightweight, precise and responsive. FC’s for filming – These are usually sold included with drones with cameras and focused on creating fluent shots.
All drones require a flight control system and this is where all the ancillary components plug into. Typically, the flight controller has connections for servos, rc receiver, fpv camera and VTX (video transmitter). Most FPV Drones are sold with solder pads, pin header holes or plugs which can be soldered to or removed quickly to connect or disconnect additional hardware.
FPV Goggles
FPV goggles are the ultimate way to experience first-person view. The immersive experience allows you to see the world from your drone’s perspective, transforming flying into an adrenaline-pumping adventure every time you take off. The best FPV goggles are comfortable, featuring well-padded foam and adjustable straps for a secure fit. They also offer a variety of features for an enhanced piloting experience, including HDMI input ports and a custom OSD (On-Screen Display). Whether you are looking to upgrade your existing set or build a new pair from scratch, there are a wide range of options available on the market, ranging from entry-level analog goggles to high-end digital headsets.
Choosing the right pair depends on your budget, preferences, and flight requirements. Analog FPV goggles operate on traditional analog technology and are more affordable, while digital FPV goggles offer better video quality and reduced latency. Consideration should also be given to the type of drone you fly as different drones use different video transmission protocols and frequency bands.
For a simple solution, you can opt for a pair of open-source FPV goggles such as the Quanum V2. These are built up from a single screen, two pieces of foam, a magnifying lens and a neoprene sleeve that fits over the entire setup. However, you will need to purchase a separate receiver and battery, which increases the overall cost.
Another option is the DJI Goggles Integra, launched alongside the new DJI Avata. These FPV goggles are significantly smaller and lighter than their predecessors, thanks to micro displays that show a duplicated image. They are a great choice for racers or freestyle pilots who prioritize framerate and clarity.
