So, my best friend and I got our pilot's licenses back when we were 16 and in the Civil Air Patrol, but neither of us used them in our careers. But, a few years ago, my buddy because a hard core FPV (First Person View) drone pilot. He started off just as a hobby and then it grew into a full on business for him as he opened a store selling drone parts as well as custom 3D printing different pieces like guards, GoPro mounts, etc. If you are a drone pilot, go check out flyhighfpv.com to see his store. He also got his 107 drone license from the FAA and said that I should do it as it was the same stuff we did when we got our actual pilot's license. He is able to go out and do videography and such commercially with that license and has been trying to get me into it for some time.
Anyway, he let me use one of his old controllers to learn on and even has an older analog drone that he is willing to give me as a startup drone. But first, I want to learn in the simulator before I go out and start breaking drones, which can get expensive to fix. I went out with him and his crew last weekend and got hooked. But, after watching all of them have to replace parts on the fly, which my buddy supplied on site making some loot while having fun, I knew I was going to want to get really good on the simulator well before I go live with a real drone.
So I downloaded Steam and got the FPV.SkyDive application by Orca FPV. They also have a version for the iPhone/iPad which I have been playing with too, but on the Mac, I can use this controller instead of having to buy a newer one with Bluetooth capabilities or use the on screen touch joysticks, which aren't nearly as acurate as using an actual controller. It just had the sticks on it which were a bit uncomfortable on my thumbs, so I 3D printed some thumb guards, which makes it way more comfortable and more like a classic gaming controller, so I am really hitting it hard now.
After playing on the sim for a bit, I am actually starting to get the hang of it. The physics and mechanics are more like flying a helicopter than a regular airplane, so it's been a bit of a learning curve, but I feel like it's starting to catch now, and only after a day or so of playing the simulator. The sims are actually pretty close to flying the real thing and many pilots use them to practice different tricks so they don't wreck themselves with their real drones.
So yes, the FPV simulator is the start of my new obsession and I may have found a new form of content creation for a while. I am going to be working on getting OBS setup with the simulator so I can record my sessions and put them out on video. Might even do some live streaming at some point once I feel a bit more comfortable. So I hope you are ready for some FPV simulator content, haha. I am going to make sure I am spot on before I ever take a real drone up so I know I will not kill it on the first outing, lol. At least I do have a big open farm to be able to practice on before I start hitting the bandos with the boys, lol.
Until next time...
Be cool, be real, and always abide my dudes!