Let’s Build an FPV Drone – Part 1 Parts Overview and Motor Mounting

Project Introduction

• 🚀 This video initiates a new series on building a 3.5" FPV drone, a compact cinewhoop designed for speed and high-quality video capture.
• 💡 The builders are new to FPV drones and acro mode, documenting their learning process, including both successes and challenges.
• 🛠️ The build centers around the iFlight Protek35 V1.4 frame, aiming for a high-performance drone.

Key Components Overview

• 👓 HDZero Goggle 2 and a RunCam Phoenix 2 Nano camera are selected for clear FPV footage.
• 📡 Control is managed by a RadioMaster TX16S with an ELRS module and receiver for reliable communication.
• ⚡ Propulsion includes iFlight XING 2205 2300KV brushless motors and GemFan 3.5” ducted props.
• 🔋 Power is supplied by a Tattu 4S LiPo battery for the drone and a Tattu 3S battery for the goggles.

Flight Control & Navigation

• 🧠 The drone will utilize a MicroAir H743 V2 AM32 flight controller and ESC stack, running ArduPilot firmware.
• 🗺️ A MicroAir M10 GPS is included for precise navigation, potentially enabling features like return-to-launch and assisting with slower, non-FPV flight.
• 📡 Video transmission is handled by a TBS Unify Pro VTX and TBS Triumph circular antennas.

Initial Assembly Steps

• 📦 The first physical steps involved unboxing the iFlight Protek35 frame and the iFlight XING motors.
• ✅ The primary task was mounting the four motors to the frame, ensuring wires were oriented towards the center.
• ⚠️ An initial mistake involved incorrect motor hole patterns (16mm instead of 12mm) and misaligning plastic pieces and wires, which was corrected.

Challenges and Next Steps

• 📏 A significant challenge emerged with the MicroAir flight controller and ESC stack, appearing potentially too large for the frame's standard hole patterns and prop guards.
• 🔌 Soldering the wires to the flight controller also presents a space issue, requiring careful planning.
• 🤔 The next steps involve strategizing how to mount the electrical components and addressing the size constraints before proceeding with the build.