FPV FLIGHT DYNAMICS: MASTERING ACRO MODE ON HIGH-PERFORMANCE DRONES
JON BARNES REVIEWED the book FPV Flight Dynamics: Mastering Acro Mode on High-Performance Drones. This is what he wrote:
Although the lines of definition and demarcation between aerial photography drones and First-Person View (FPV) drones might be blurry to some, author Christian Mollica wastes no time in properly delineating the differences between the two in the first chapter of his new book FPV Flight Dynamics: Mastering Acro Mode on High-Performance Drones.
What follows is an entertainingly written reference work that spans 30 chapters and 280 pages. The book’s goal is to help aspiring FPV pilots get their groove on while flying in acro mode! The amazingly high level of autonomy found in the current crop of aerial photography drone platforms literally allows anyone to buy and fly, with no real commitment required, and a short, shallow learning curve at best.
Flying a high-performance FPV drone is, however, anything but easy or automatic. Although several different stabilized flight modes are available when flying most FPV drones, which could theoretically help ease the transition for a pilot stepping over from aerial photography drones, veteran FPV pilots unanimously agree that acro mode is the mode to use when flying FPV.
Faced with the seemingly daunting task of learning to fly in acro mode, most pilots who are new to FPV have many legitimate questions. Although the answers are freely available online, they are spread far and wide across the virtually unlimited corridors and corners of the internet.
Christian’s book aggregates the information that hungry FPV pilots are after and packs it into a concise paperback, one that is visually ripe with hundreds of color stick schematics, 3D diagrams, photos, and infographics. The book reminds its readers that there is no overnight shortcut to becoming an advanced FPV pilot, and that practice is indeed the only path to perfection.
Spread across the five sections of this book is everything that a pilot needs to learn about FPV freestyle flying with its myriad unique aerobatic maneuvers. Pilots who are interested in the cinematic potential and capabilities of high-performance FPV drones will also find value in this guide because it provides the information and training that are required to let a pilot’s thumbs become the stabilizing gimbal lacking in FPV drones.
This fine-looking, large form-factor book rightfully belongs on the coffee table of any serious FPV pilot! Print and digital versions are available from many sellers.
New Products from the Modeler’s Mall
AR T-Switch and AR Switch-Switch Telemetry Multi-Switches@ $112.90 - $180.84 + S&H from Advanced Radio
Email: sales@boomarc.com; website: www.boomarc.com
Advanced Radio and BoomaRC are proud to announce the T-Switch, the first-ever high-powered dual battery redundancy receiver switch with downlink telemetry to your radio. It is designed for all receiver battery voltages from 8.4 volts to 6.0 volts.
The RC modeling community has seen huge leaps in higher voltage, power, and current power requirements with the latest 40- to 70-kilogram servos, gyro systems, and high-voltage, C-rated LiPo batteries. With this in mind, the T-Switch gives pilots a huge threshold of power for all types of flying, including 3D, aerobatics, and Giant Scale.
This lightweight and miniature switch uses the same proven telemetry system that is featured in the larger Advanced Radio Smooth Flite products, adopting a simple plug-and-play design and using an auto protocol-sensing algorithm that sets itself to the correct telemetry protocol (such as Futaba S.Bus2 or JR XBus) by analyzing the protocol stream. The telemetry then shows the capacity, voltage, and current used by the servos directly on your radio.
For high-powered applications, the T-Switch has two XT30 connectors each for both of its inputs and outputs, allowing you to run either connection to a receiver or power-distribution system. The modular interface allows you to select which input and output leads to use for your setup. Each T-Switch includes all items required for installation. It can be upgraded to the AR Switch-Switch telemetry that includes a color touchscreen to unlock additional features such as capacity setting, onboard battery monitoring, and scale dashboard and instrument panels.
Visit the BoomaRC website or any Advanced Radio retailer to order yours!
Vegas Raven @ $186+ S&H from BMJR Models
Box 1210, Sharpes FL 32959; Tel.: (321) 537-1159; website: www.bmjrmodels.com
Inspired by the elliptical wing and tail of Dave Platt’s Free Flight Raven design, the vegas Raven is an all-balsa and plywood, two-meter RC glider that is equipped with rudder, elevator, and spoilers.
The model has a 74-inch wingspan and an area of 712 sq. in. The flying weight of BMJR’s prototype came in at 27 ounces, giving a wing loading of less than 6 ounces per square foot. It features a two-piece wing for ease of transport and an interchangeable nose, allowing it to be flown as a hi-start glider or a power glider with a 200-watt electric motor.
Super Lite XL Wheels @ $12.50-$19.50 from Du-Bro Products
PO Box 815, Wauconda IL 60084; Tel.: (800) 848-9411; website: www.dubro.com
Du-Bro’s new Super Lite XL wheels are the larger versions of the “SL” Super Lite wheels that modelers have known for years. Available in 4-, 4.5-, 5-, 5.5-, and 6-inch diameters, these durable tires are mounted on a molded hub that captures the tire to avoid any roll off of the hub. The smooth tread and rounded edge provide a great ride for your aircraft, and the lightweight material they are made from offers low bounce. They are great upgrades to ARFs that provide less-desirable wheels or for scratch builds that need to save every ounce possible.
Packages offer two wheels each. All wheel widths are 1.18 inch and all axle diameters are 5/32 inches and can be drilled out to 1/4 inch if needed.
