Having all the gear you need with you, without packing too much extraneous stuff can sometimes be a little bit of trial and error.\u00a0 However, using a simple, printable FPV Checklist for different event types and situations can help you stay organized.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1524″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
For the beginner pilot, using a printable, portable FPV checklist to help keep organization at the maximum during the founding stages makes quite a bit of sense.\u00a0 These can be sitting on the workbench as gentle reminders of what you may need for a particular situation or as a check to make sure you have all your gear.<\/p>\n
Equally important for the seasoned pilot, FPV checklists can serve as a reference for doing a complete walk through of your gear to make sure everything is functional.\u00a0 Furthermore, it can serve as a place to jot notes of things that happened during a flight session.<\/p>\n
To begin with, you are going to want to do is to ensure that all your models are ready to go out and fly.\u00a0 Properly going over your gear will result in a relatively worry free experience. \u00a0As a pilot, you are going to be eager to get out and get flying.\u00a0 Although much of these checks seem like they may be a waste of time, or you are in a hurry, and don\u2019t check these things, it may result in some issues during the session..\u00a0 However, by doing these checks each time before heading out, you can address any problems before they hinder your fun!\u00a0 I, and fellow pilots that I fly with, have had to learn this lesson the hard way when a flight session gets cut short due to something that should have been caught before leaving the workbench.<\/p>\n
Below are some things you will want to check:<\/p>\n
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[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It is also a good idea to check your gear when you get home from a session in order to get the repairs out of the way and focus on the next session![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1504″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
When I first heard of multirotors, one of the first things I did was to go out to a FPV group meetup.\u00a0 I was especially enthralled by the portability of the equipment, and since then, things have only gotten better and smaller.\u00a0 So much so, that sometimes it can be an interesting prospect deciding what you may need for a particular situation.\u00a0 Some pilots always bring too much gear, then spend the afternoon complaining about having to lug it all around when moving from what spot to the next.\u00a0 Conversely, others never bring enough, and end up leaving early or sitting on sidelines complaining that they can\u2019t fly.\u00a0 Personally, I like to stay as mobile as possible, while bringing the essentials to ensure I stay in the air.<\/p>\n
In truth, when you are just getting started, one of the best investments you can make is a backpack.\u00a0 This will be the one item that you will want to put some thought into in order to be able to carry all the gear you need.\u00a0 Many options exist, from basic hiking backpacks, to designs created specifically for drones and multirotors.\u00a0 In truth, spending a lot of money, doesn\u2019t always mean you get the best stuff that works best for you.\u00a0 Basically, do some research and shop around!\u00a0 If you make a decision, and it doesn\u2019t work for you, return it and try again.<\/p>\n
Having that backpack with you will allow you to move about with a fair amount of ease from one flying location to another.\u00a0 That becomes extremely important when heading out for a FPV group meetup or a freestyle session.\u00a0 You will have to put some thought into what you are going to put into it that will keep you in the air with minimal disruptions.\u00a0 First things first, for any FPV multirotor session, you are going to need the basic essential gear, so let\u2019s take a look at those:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1505″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
First things first, for any FPV multirotor session, you are going to need the basic essential gear, so let\u2019s take a look at those:<\/p>\n
These are the minimal amount of things that you will need to enjoy an FPV session.\u00a0 Undoubtedly, the first thing going through your head is \u201cWhat if I break something?\u201d\u00a0 We\u2019re about to get into that.\u00a0 But keep in mind, if you\u2019re out for a quick session, this will be the minimum of gear that you need to carry with you.\u00a0 Indeed, if I know I\u2019m only going to get a few packs in, this is truly all that I will bring.\u00a0 Beyond that, we will have to look at each type of FPV flying session a little differently to sort out what you will need to bring with you.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Flying with a group can be great way to meet others in your area with a passion for FPV.\u00a0 Figuring out what you will need to bring can sometimes be a collective experience among you and your group.\u00a0 Consequently, knowing a few things about where you will be flying will answer some of the questions about what you may need to bring.\u00a0 Will there be a place to charge batteries? \u00a0What kind of FPV session is it?\u00a0 Is someone responsible for bringing gates?\u00a0 Knowing these things can help you decide what will be necessary.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s look at what you will need on an individual level:<\/p>\n
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[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1508″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
As a group, you may want to put together a course of gates and flags, such as the ones here: Drone Racing Practice Kit<\/a>.\u00a0 Undeniably, going in as a group will lessen the individual cost of a larger package, and everyone in your group will benefit from the practice!\u00a0 Otherwise, you can put together some gates from PVC pipe and pool noodles.\u00a0 Your group will need to sort out who will be taking care of the gates in the off time, as well as making them available to the group.\u00a0 Also, when flying in a group, there are a few things you need to consider:<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Undeniably, one of the hallmarks of a freestyle session is finding awesome spots in which to ply your craft.\u00a0 However, these might not always be a park, or cool downtown office building.\u00a0 Sometimes these may be someplace up in the mountains that you will have to hike to, or an abandoned building that will require some exploration.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been to a few \u201cBandos\u201d in the last few years, and most of them can be a little sketchy.\u00a0 One of the first things I do is explore the structure to figure out what\u2019s safe, and what isn\u2019t.\u00a0 Above all, you want to make sure you come home intact.\u00a0 In addition to packing the gear listed above, make sure you bring a few extras.<\/p>\n Generally, you want to be as mobile as possible, so things that I usually don\u2019t bring with me are optional things that I can really do without, such as my battery charger and laptop.\u00a0 These things just weigh me down, and make it more difficult to move about.\u00a0 Also, do yourself a favor and let someone know where you are going, and when to expect you back.\u00a0 You never know what might happen, and this way, someone will have your back.\u00a0 Living and flying in Arizona, I tend to over-prepare a little for trips, as the environment here can be quite harsh.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1507″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Race day is coming!\u00a0 What to bring!\u00a0 How to set up your gear?\u00a0 Where is the venue?\u00a0 Are there tables present or will they be provided?\u00a0 Are you going to need a shady spot (a must here in Arizona)?\u00a0 Will there be vendors on site?\u00a0 Obviously, there\u00a0are a couple questions you will want to answer first.\u00a0 The answers to these questions will certainly guide you toward prepping for race day.\u00a0 Racing can often last for a few days, and just about anything can happen.\u00a0 If you are going out of town for a race, you may want to pack up as much gear as you can, that way you have spares readily available.\u00a0 Given these points, there are a few things you may want to consider:<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Unquestionably, crash kits work best if everything is as pre-made as possible.\u00a0 Heat shrink should be precut.\u00a0 Components should be prepped to swap in quickly.\u00a0 On the whole, you really shouldn\u2019t need to spend time focusing a camera, or cutting and tinning wires.\u00a0 Basically, the less time you spend repairing your models, the more time you spend in the air.\u00a0 If there are vendors on site, and you run out of your crash kit components, at least you may have an option to get back up in the air.<\/p>\n Also, when it comes to your spare models, remember that consistency is key.\u00a0 In order to succeed, you want to make sure that you are 100% comfortable with each model that you are going to be putting out on the race track.\u00a0 Many pilots build multiple backups of their main model, using the exact same components, built the same exact way, and tuned identically.\u00a0 This makes for a no surprises situation if you have to resort to one of those backups.\u00a0 Make sure you run through the flight prep checklist above on all your models before you leave home.<\/p>\n Certainly, doing your homework will be a key component to a successful race event.<\/p>\n FPV Racing has been building over the last few years, and it\u2019s becoming a serious affair.\u00a0 With this in mind, practicing these things will keep you in everyone\u2019s good graces, and make for a successful event for you and the other pilots.\u00a0 Everyone\u2019s heard it I\u2019m sure; proper planning prevents poor performance![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1503″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n When going on vacation, obviously you are going to want to take your multirotor equipment with you.\u00a0 Sometimes that can seem like a daunting task with all the regulations imposed by both the FAA and even the airlines themselves.\u00a0 Take a deep breath though, as navigating this is honestly easier than it seems.<\/p>\n To begin with, the most dangerous single piece of gear that you have are your LiPo batteries.\u00a0 These have to be prepped a certain way and according to the FAA\u2019s Batteries Carried by Airline Passengers FAQ<\/a>.\u00a0You will also want to reference the Pack Safe: Lithium Ion and Lithium Metal Batteries Guide<\/a>.\u00a0 My suggestion, as well as my practice, is to print off a copy of the FAQ, and store it either with your boarding pass documents, or with your batteries, so that it can be referenced by anyone who has some questions about the massive amount of batteries you are bringing with you.\u00a0 There are a few key points here that we will discuss.<\/p>\n First is the limitation (or lack thereof) of the amount of batteries that you can carry with you.\u00a0 The FAA rates batteries in terms of Watt Hours.\u00a0 As a passenger, you are allowed to carry an unlimited amount of batteries under 100Wh each.\u00a0 To calculate watt hours, you take the voltage of the battery pack and multiply it times the Amp Hours.\u00a0 To explain:<\/p>\n Voltage x Amp hours = Watt hours or V x Ah = Wh<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Since our batteries are generally measured in milliamp hours, (1000 milliamp hours = 1 amp hour), we need to move a decimal.\u00a0 For example, a 1300 mAh battery can be converted to 1.3 Ah.\u00a0 Similarly, an 850 mAh will become .85 Ah.\u00a0 If you want to incorporate this into the calculation, you can do so like this.<\/p>\n Voltage(Milliamp hours\/1000) = Wh or V(mAh\/1000)=Wh<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n As an illustration, using a 4s battery, we get: 14.8v(1300\/1000) = 19.24 Wh.\u00a0 For a 6s battery: 22.2v(1300\/1000) = 28.86 Wh. \u00a0Any battery between 100Wh and 160Wh, you are limited to just two spare batteries.\u00a0 Batteries over 160Wh are prohibited.<\/p>\n Further, the FAA requires that terminals on batteries need to be protected from shorting, meaning that if something metal were to come into contact with a battery terminal, a short must not be created.\u00a0 To do this, you can tape over your battery terminals, place each battery in a separate plastic bag, or keep the batteries in their retail packaging.\u00a0 It is also a good practice to put your batteries to storage charge.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1506″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Beyond referencing the FAA documents, I also highly recommend you check the website of the airline you are flying to be able to comply with their policies.\u00a0 As an example, while the FAA doesn\u2019t limit the number of batteries under 100Wh, Southwest Airlines does limit the amount to 20 spare batteries.\u00a0 You want to be able to avoid any issues like this so that you are able to travel to your destination without ending up in the \u201cRoom\u201d.\u00a0 You may also want to reference the regulations at your destination if you are traveling internationally.\u00a0 Other countries might have restrictions you will need to be aware of.<\/p>\n Moreover, reference the FAA\u2019s Pack Safe<\/a> as well as TSA\u2019s What Can I Bring?<\/a> webpages in order to determine what will need to be in your carry-on luggage vs. your checked luggage.\u00a0 For one thing, batteries need to be in carry-on.\u00a0 To keep things simple though, my recommendation is this: If it is sharp, pointy, or it can cut, it needs to go into your checked baggage.\u00a0 Obviously, his means tools and propellers.\u00a0 While you might be able to skate past in some circumstances, by adhering to this simple rule, you will save yourself from potential headaches.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Down below, you will find downloadable versions of the FPV checklists, with the information compressed for portability.\u00a0 Feel free to print these off to use, Also, share them among your friends and fellow pilots!\u00a0 Hopefully they will help in guiding you when you go out flying.\u00a0 When you click on these, they will open up in a separate tab.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1546″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/www.getfpv.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Checklist-FPV-Session.pdf”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1545″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/www.getfpv.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Checklist-FPV-Racing-Session.pdf”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1543″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/www.getfpv.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Checklist-FPV-Freestyle-Session.pdf”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][ultimate_spacer height=”50″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1544″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/www.getfpv.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Checklist-FPV-Group-Session.pdf”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1547″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/www.getfpv.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Checklist-FPV-Traveling.pdf”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Having all the gear you need with you, without packing too much extraneous stuff can sometimes be a little bit of trial and error.\u00a0 However, using a simple, printable FPV Checklist for different event types and situations can help you stay 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Freestyle Session<\/h2>\n
Freestyle Prep FPV Checklist<\/h3>\n
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FPV Race Preparation<\/h2>\n
Race Prep FPV Checklist<\/h3>\n
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Keeping your Models in the Air<\/h3>\n
Be Prepared<\/h3>\n
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Traveling with FPV Multirotors<\/h2>\n
Lithium Polymer Batteries and Air Travel<\/h3>\n
How Many Batteries can I Bring?<\/h3>\n
Prepping Batteries<\/h3>\n
Packing Gear for Security<\/h3>\n
Traveling FPV Checklist<\/h3>\n
Carry-on Baggage<\/h4>\n
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Checked Baggage<\/h4>\n
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FPV Checklists<\/h2>\n
FPV Pre-Flight Preparation Checklist<\/h3>\n
FPV Racing Checklist<\/h3>\n
FPV Freestyle Checklist<\/h3>\n
FPV Group Session Checklist<\/h3>\n
FPV Traveling Checklist<\/h3>\n