Any FPV RC Pilots out there?
 

Getting back into RC's all electric this time because of limited space. Anyone look into wireless video flying? What are you using and whats out there. Thinking about using it on my 450 helicopter?

Thanks

i think slodave?

I am just now starting out in it. I had my first "hood" flight last weekend. I got a cheap foam plane ( $99 ) and a simple camera from hobby king. Most of the the flights so far have been flying the plane conventionally and having a helper view the laptop video feed for reliability and range. I almost crashed the first time with goggles because I got transfixed by the flying and was not paying attention to the altimeter. I do not think a 450 heli will carry the equipment. The plane is really fun and fairly cheap to learn on though.

Plane,
HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : EPP-FPV 1.8M X-Large EPP & Carbon Fiber R/C Plane

Camera/tx
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=13443

Have lots of nitro RC planes in the attic but this idea intrigues me... so you fly only by the camera? How do you do depth judgement? Now TWO CAMERAS and 3d goggles, that would be AWESOME! Get on it Craig.

Going to check out some of the systems, they don't seem too much money and I just found a lot of video on YouTube. I think it would be fun around the neighborhood since they made me put my telescope away!

Isn't that basically a drone?

as long as there's line of sight, it's hobby RC. once it leaves line of sight, then u are an illegal operator of a drone.

and u don't wanna even talk about unmanned autopilot system while the FAA and DHS are in charge

I always have control of my plane, even thought I am "virtually" in the plane I have a spotter that can see the plane at all times and can take control if needed. A drone is a target. This is more like a sUAS. It is really fun, I have put cameras on my planes before but this is the first one that has a live feed. Slodave has a couple of videos from his gliders. My display is similar to his, Altitude, and heading. Here is a link to a great video.
R/C airplane with Pilot teddy bear HDV video - YouTube

hmmmmm

I really hate seeing folks do this around neighborhoods. It seems irresponsible to me. I've been flying RC aircraft for a bit over 30 years now and one thing that was taught to me very early on was that the number 1 rule is safety.

Flying at an established flying site in FPV mode with a proper spotter and the FPV pilot on a secondary controller and a line of sight pilot on the primary controller is the safe way to execute this type of flying.

Flying over and through neighborhoods, prohibits the pilot's ability to use a proper spotter and if something were to happen to the airplane where would it go? Worst case is through someone's window and if it is a lipo battery that gets damaged in the crash you're likely going to experience a house fire.

I hope you have home owners insurance with a proper rider to cover that kind of damage. Since you weren't following the safety code - AMA isn't going to help you.

Plus - the FAA is in its flipping ridonkulous rule making phase (and has been for what seems like 2 years) to figure out how to classify this kind of flying and as a result there is a general feeling in the RC flying community that there is a real danger to our hobby from regulation.

FPV flying is cool. Do it at a flying site with the proper accommodations for safety. Safety for the plane operations, operators, surroundings and selfishly - the lifestyle's of other flyers.

I've done it - it is amazing and extremely flipping cool.

Be responsible. If something goes wrong with your flight, you end up in the news, the hobby gets a black eye. Sorry if I'm a buzz kill - I'm a little protective of the hobby. After 30 years of having flying sites taken away and now this FAA sUAS thing - I'm worried it could really hurt the hobby.

Dude: the neighborhood flying drone was a joke! I have a huge private airport to fly at. I'm neither stupid or dangerous. I have seen a lot of RC's take off with a mind of their own!

Very cool!

naive question: is it easier to fly an RC aircraft the old fashioned way, or FPV?