Help! Looking to transition to FPV, have some parts to build a plane. Can you help?

[FliesLikeGaston]

Hello!

I've been flying fixed wing LOS for ~10 years, as well as an FPV tiny whoop for a few month. If I were to go into fixed wing FPV I have parts from an old Apprentice 15 S 15e that could be repurposed (and the wing from it). Otherwise a BNF or a quad kit would be in order. What do you all think is the best route?

Thank you for your help,
FliesLikeGaston

 

[JasonK]

what type of flying do you want to do? race? cruise? long range (if legal were your at)?

I just build a sub 250g 4 channel FPV flier. The biggest thing I have seen is that you need a way to avoid the prop with the camera and get something that flies well, stick a camera + VTX on it and go for it.

I would definitely have a spotter, I have been using my son to tell me where my plane is compared to the airfield/etc to help track the plane's location (after some flights it started getting easier to orientate in the air, but rules were I am at require a spotter anyways).

 

[FliesLikeGaston]

what type of flying do you want to do? race? cruise? long range (if legal were your at)?

I just build a sub 250g 4 channel FPV flier. The biggest thing I have seen is that you need a way to avoid the prop with the camera and get something that flies well, stick a camera + VTX on it and go for it.

I would definitely have a spotter, I have been using my son to tell me where my plane is compared to the airfield/etc to help track the plane's location (after some flights it started getting easier to orientate in the air, but rules were I am at require a spotter anyways).

So some sort of pusher set up then, with a good glide for cruising. Also, a spotter sounds like a great idea not to get disoriented.

 

[JasonK]

twin motor setups work well (if you want a tractor setup).

 

[FliesLikeGaston]

how big of an impact in electronics does that have for difficulty + price?

 

[JasonK]

you need 2 motors and 2 ESCs instead of one of each. You can program up differential to get some serious yaw authority. I wouldn't say it increases difficulty much.

 

[CustomRCMods]

in terms of FPV gear, you will need a camera and a vtx, most of the time they are seperate items. If you are looking for something basic, quick and easy, this AIO micro system (similar to the ones on your Whoop) is a really good option. Its 200mw (an upgrade from the typical 25mw) so the range is really solid and comparable to other systems that are larger seperate units. The camera is also really good for such a small size, maybe even better than some of the runcams I have. I have been using this on my Strix Nano Goblin with a TBS crossfire system and gotten well over a mile away (open air in a low RF interference area) My point is that its an impressive performer at the form factor and price it comes in at.... not to mention you can run it off basic 5v from the RX (solder up a Futaba female to micro JST female cable) and thats it!!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y47BXZN/?tag=lstir-20

If you are looking to get a seperate camera/vtx, I would recommend the RDQ mach 3, a great performer (I have 3 of them ) with 1000mw output power and smart audio, but also at a steal of a price.

https://www.racedayquads.com/collec...-200-600-1000mw-2-6s-5-8ghz-video-transmitter

you will need a camera as well, and don't skimp here... this is your view, your connection to your aircraft, so having a low quality camera can greatly degrade your flying experience.

My personal favorite is the Runcam Phoenix 2:
https://www.racedayquads.com/collec...00tvl-16-9-4-3-ntsc-pal-cmos-micro-fpv-camera

Finally, don't forget an antenna. This greatly depends on the flying environment you plan to be in, as well as what you currently have on your goggles/monitor. RHCP Omnidirectional is the most popular, heres my favorite:
https://www.racedayquads.com/collec...o-antenna-short-stubby-rhcp-choose-your-color

If you are looking for something a little bit towards the cheaper end of the spectrum, here's some options:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5A6SHM/?tag=lstir-20

Hope that helps!!