LOS to FPV - really struggling - any tips?

[Gundummy]

wow,  so many people do it in so many different ways?  This has turned out quite interesting!

[Dillwhacker]

people do it in so many different ways

I generally do it with my socks on, a couple of strong rubber bands, a sock filled with custard, and the help of an inflatable pink Pterodactyl.
:P

[BlueFlyer]

The only problem was that I have been so used to the attitude of the aircraft being tied to the image on the screen, that i forgot that with a head tracker looking up looks like pitching up - and the aircraft can be pointing very much earthward even though the goggle view is skyward. Had a couple of close calls before I got the hang of it!

This is why I don't use a head tracker at all and if I do have my camera on a pan servo, I always map it to the rudder stick so I know that when I leave it alone, it centres itself.

Some people like having the nose in shot because it reminds them of what is actually happening... it's a camera on a RC plane, which is fricking cool..... others (myself included) prefer NOT to have the nose in shot as for them, it ruins the footage they're wanting to capture.

I'm a bit of both... I like to have the nose in shot in my live feed, just to give me that warm fuzzy feeling that - like you say - the attitude of the plane matches the view you're expecting. But I don't like having anything other than the scenery in shot on my HD footage.

[wgt40w]

Well, there's only one thing I can think of that hasn't already been said - use your ears !

When first FPV fixed wing flying, I found it very helpful and confidence inspiring using my ears. When my plane was flying towards or away from me (Home position), it enabled me to lift up my googles or look away from a monitor and more quickly , by using the sound, LOS locate my craft in the sky.
What I didn't bargain for was the fpv view made me think I was flying lower than I really was - when I lifted the goggles / looked away from the monitor I often found the craft was LOS much higher in the sky than I was expecting.

[Dizzy]

I generally do it with my socks on, a couple of strong rubber bands, a sock filled with custard, and the help of an inflatable pink Pterodactyl.
:P

Any Pictures ;D

dizzy :laugh:

[English Turbines]

Whenever I fly near enough to myself to come off the Monitor, when I look up to find the plane LOS, its allways a LOT higher than I thought it would be....When you fly FPV, you can be beyond LOS a lot sooner than you think...
  Im hoping to get a lot more time using an osd this season, its difficult to judge height without the benefit of an AP...distance is much easier though....

:vulture:

[wgt40w]

I generally do it with my socks on, a couple of strong rubber bands, a sock filled with custard, and the help of an inflatable pink Pterodactyl.
:P

Pterodactyl -

What? One of these !!

http://www.popsci.com/blog-network/eastern-arsenal/pterodactyl-drones-chinese-air-force-service

[Dizzy]

Having put many a newcomer through the basics of glider flying LOS i am amazed at this thread the hardest thing to teach somebody when they first start, is flying towards yourself.

I still firmly believe the best way to fly fpv is put yourself in the plane keep the goggles on by all means if your not confident launch with goggles on your forehead but drop them down when your climbing away  :)

But fly where you know the area As Steve W said fly to the field boundaries have somebody with you who can tell you your height and speed  it will boost your confidence no end  :D

Stick at it one day it will click and you will start enjoying the view instead of worrying about your actual control :D

above all have fun

dizzy :)

[FPVSteve]

Well, there's only one thing I can think of that hasn't already been said - use your ears !

The only problem with this is that the first time you fly out of audible range, you start touching cloth again! Not to mention that if you're far enough out, your throttle changes may take a while to be heard due to the speed of sound. You might only be at half throttle but still hearing full throttle from a few seconds ago :D It can be disconcerting, especially if your heart rate is already up :)

It's a very strange sensation - that's why I always say to people make sure you're fully immersed, don't go from screen to LoS and back again, because your (well, mine!) brain sometimes struggles to adjust quickly enough.

So - stay immersed and just do a quick few circuits around the field boundaries would be my advice. If the worst happens, you'll know where your plane is. I found (and still do) that the fear of losing my kit was distracting from the experience.

[Brucey]

Yeah I started out using my ears,  but forced myself to ignore the sounds because as you push further out the delay gets confusing. Then if your flying with others it gets confusing again.
Just fly what you see.

[rob.thomson]

To be fair.  The best way to learn is to play by the rules.

Use a spotter!

If it helps... Maybe a buddy box as a get out option.

My feelings are.  If flying fpv.  Stay in fpv mode.  Changing between views is quite likely to cause issues if you do not have a full rth system in place.

As soon as you get airborne.  Stop thinking like an rc pilot.  You are  now in the aircraft.

So...

Power?  How long cam I fly.
Visual.  Where am I?  Identify key land marks.
Airspeed. 
Etc.

These are simple basics that all full size pilots learn.  It just takes time to learn the.

Once you have a sense of space/ where you are in the sky.  It gets easier.

Also...  keep low.  When you fly high - it's more difficult to know what you are flying above.  This is because you are looking forward - not down.  Result is that as you go up, you end up looking further and further away.

Rob

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[dogzilla]

Yeah good point regarding a spotter.

It really helps to have someone following the plane and calling out directions whilst you get your bearings. At least until you are comfortable in the air and not panicking.

[BlueFlyer]

I flew on my own for years, not out of choice or rebellion... but because there was no-one near me who flew RC, let alone FPV.

I travelled to meet a fellow forum member and having a spotter talking to you about what the plane is doing from their point of view whilst you're concentrating on flying it FPV is invaluable.

I've moved house now, and I have regular flying buddies... I'm at a point now where if there's no-one available to come flying with me, I just don't go.

[FPVSteve]

Also...  keep low. 

Not too low though :D Climbing up gives you a bit more perspective. Having done some "shaving" of a field with a Bixler quite a few times, it can be very hard to determine which direction you're pointing in if you're too low he he. A quick climb and all becomes clear :)

[elmattbo]

Good thread this. Could it be a sticky for any newbies?


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