The FPV (First Person View) drone fascinates with its immersive experience. Thanks to an on-board camera and real-time video feedback, the pilot is plunged into the heart of the flight as if aboard the aircraft. But behind this captivating practice lie essential issues: technical preparation, compliance with regulations, safety and equipment maintenance.
The aim of this guide is to support professionals and enthusiasts wishing to embark on the FPV adventure, while highlighting the benefits of a technology developed in France.
Before you take off: preparing for your FPV flight
Choosing the right FPV drone
FPV comes in several categories, depending on the intended use:
- FPV freestyle drones, designed for spectacular acrobatics and tricks.
- FPV racing drones, focused on speed and responsiveness.
- Cinematic FPV drones (Cinewhoop), ideal for fluid, immersive shooting.
Your choice will depend on your objectives: competition, leisure, professional filming or technical inspections. For long-lasting, reliable performance, choose a French drone is an asset: it guarantees better technical follow-up, transparency on components and contributes to technological sovereignty.
Check your equipment
Before each flight, a rigorous check is essential:
- Battery: optimum charge level, no swelling or damage.
- The Flight Controller: this is the drone's brain, and ensures its stabilization. Updating and configuring it via Betaflight or INAV is essential.
- ESCs (Electronic Speed Controllers): they regulate motor speed, a critical factor in avoiding power loss.
- Radio control and video system: ensure a stable, interference-free connection.
- FPV goggles: check compatibility with the drone's transmission frequency and DVR settings if you want to record the flight.
Planning your flight
Preparation doesn't stop with the equipment. Before taking off, you must :
- Analyze the weather: wind, rain or fog can make flying risky.
- Choose an open area: away from dwellings, roads and no-fly zones.
- Define a flight plan: know in advance the planned trajectory and maneuvers to limit unforeseen events.
Know the rules and fly safely
Regulations in France
The practice of FPV is regulated by the DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile). The main rules to be observed are :
- Flying below 120 meters altitude.
- Always keep the drone in direct view, even when using video feedback. The presence of an observer is mandatory in FPV.
- No flying in built-up areas or over people.
- Mandatory registration: all UAVs weighing over 250g must be registered on the AlphaTango platform.
- Online training: pilots must pass the DGAC online test to validate their basic knowledge.
In professional areas (industrial inspection, audiovisual, agriculture, etc.), specific authorization is required according to flight scenarios (S-1, S-2, S-3, replaced since 2021 by European regulations with Open and Specific categories).
In-flight safety
Safety depends not only on rules, but also on good practices:
- Respect radio frequencies to avoid interference.
- Install a failsafe: in the event of signal loss, the drone must be programmed to return automatically or land safely.
- Limit the drone's weight to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Wear a helmet and protective gear during FPV racing or freestyle sessions, especially in groups.
Insurance and liability
Flying a drone involves the pilot's civil liability. In the event of damage to others, specific drone liability insurance is highly recommended, and even compulsory for professional use.
Control and maintain your equipment
The basics of FPV piloting
FPV requires practice to develop fast reflexes. Here are a few tips to help you progress:
- Start with a simulator: software such as Liftoff or DRL Simulator allow you to train without risk.
- Practice on a tiny whoop (mini indoor drone) before moving on to more powerful models.
- Learn flight modes:
- Angle: maximum assistance, ideal for beginners.
- Horizon: a compromise between assistance and freedom.
- Acro: unassisted mode, used in racing and freestyle.
Progress must be gradual to avoid costly crashes.
FPV drone maintenance
An FPV drone is subject to heavy mechanical and electronic stress. To prolong its life :
- Inspect propellers after every flight, and replace if damaged.
- Clean motors to prevent accumulation of dust and debris.
- Check welds and connections regularly.
- Store LiPo batteries at 3.8V per cell to avoid degradation.
Regular maintenance not only prevents breakdowns, but also the risk of fire caused by damaged batteries.
Choosing reliable spare parts
Since FPV is a field where crashes are frequent, the availability of spare parts is crucial. Opting for a French drone and components made in France not only facilitates replacement, but also ensures traceability and greater durability.
Technological building blocks such as the flight map, ESCs and video systems developed in France contribute to local innovation and strengthen technological sovereignty in the face of dependence on Asian giants.
Recommendations for a good start in FPV
- Take training seriously: read the regulations, train on a simulator and follow assembly/maintenance tutorials.
- Start simple: a small FPV drone or RTF (Ready To Fly) kit, then move on to customized configurations.
- Choose upgradeable equipment: FPV goggles, radio controls and quality batteries will remain compatible with your future drones.
- Focus on safety: always fly in a controlled environment, away from sensitive people and infrastructures.
- Support French innovation: opt for drones and components developed in France, for greater reliability and sovereignty.
The FPV drone is much more than a simple leisure tool: it's a gateway to a unique immersive experience, a demanding sporting discipline and a high-performance professional tool. But to make the most of it, it's essential to prepare each flight, comply with regulations, master the basics of piloting andmaintain your equipment.
Finally, choosing a French drone and local technological building blocks not only supports national innovation, but also ensures that components are reliable, traceable and adapted to pilots' needs.
By combining safety, technology and sovereignty, FPV becomes a sustainable and rewarding practice, serving enthusiasts and professionals alike.