From Youtube Watcher To Acrobatic Pilot

Are you a dad who needs to show one thing helpful?

Good day fellow FPV and non-FPV pilots! I don’t know what number of of you could have the pleasure of being fathers, I actually have that badge multiplied by 4.

Yep, two daughters by my aspect and two extra by my spouse’s. Totalling 4 daughters, ages 7, 8, 10 and 13. And sure, I’m a ready father of 4 lovely daughters: I’ve a shotgun and an alibi, so please don’t give me an excuse to make use of them.

Since just a few years in the past I’ve been seeing how my daughters, particularly the youngest ones, are increasingly hooked on Youtube.

Hey, I don’t have something towards YouTube, even myself have a superb academic channel there. The issue begins when as an alternative of watching academic movies, they spend 2-3 hours watching cat memes and “challenges” that might land them within the ER.

So Rafa, what did you do to sort out this downside?

What each different good father or mother will do: I trick them. A couple of occasions per week they watch me practice FPV flight on my laptop. I take advantage of the DJI FPV RC2 and LiftOff (Even when I’ve different simulators put in on my mac, as Uncrashed FPV and TrypFpv, I prefer to apply on LiftOff as I really feel it extra sensible relating to crashes and accidents with the drone) and so they really feel attracted for the flight acrobatics and the tracks, so I inform them that they will play…

…as a reward for his or her good habits

I’M EVIL

So in the meantime I shave off hours of binge-watching Youtube of their days, they began to develop a very helpful ability that many pilots lack of (in huge half as a result of these days most drones nearly fly themselves between the stupid-proof digicam/sensors/lidars and the nanometer-level GPS), besides, clearly, FPV pilots.

However let’s speak with the reality: have you ever ever been flying and your drone entered ATTI mode? And I imply wild-crazy-I flew-wherever-I-want-ATTI-mode, TRUST me, that scares you and if you’re flying indoors it’s going to be a problem for you as a pilot and as a human being. Nicely in the event you copy this trick not solely you (and your youngsters) will keep away from this, however will allow you to fly with extra safety and finesse.

So what’s our achieve right here?

Nicely, for starters, my daughters are creating precise piloting expertise whereas having enjoyable. I’ve seen they’re choosing up on issues like throttle management, orientation consciousness, and restoration strategies – all essential skills that many trendy “pilots” lack. As an alternative of mind-numbing content material that teaches them nothing helpful, they’re studying spatial consciousness and hand-eye coordination that interprets to real-world advantages.

And right here’s the kicker: they don’t even notice they’re creating a marketable ability. The Drone Trade continues to develop exponentially, with FPV piloting changing into more and more helpful in fields from cinematography to Search and Rescue. Whereas I’m not saying my 7-year-old goes to be filming the following Hollywood blockbuster anytime quickly, I’m giving them publicity to expertise and capabilities that might spark real curiosity in aviation, engineering, or technical fields.

This little parenting hack has develop into our particular factor.

What began as a sneaky option to cut back YouTube consumption has advanced into high quality time the place we bond, chortle at spectacular crashes, and have fun once they nail a very difficult maneuver.

They’re studying persistence too – the understanding that expertise take apply and that failure is simply a part of the journey towards enchancment. And truthfully, isn’t {that a} lesson price way over no matter “life expertise” they may decide up from watching limitless unboxing movies?

So fellow drone mother and father, I extremely suggest this stealth coaching method. Not solely will you cut back display time dedicated to senseless content material, however you would possibly simply be nurturing the following era of knowledgeable pilots.

And if nothing else, you’ll have the satisfaction of figuring out your parenting trickery is definitely helpful for everybody concerned. Now excuse me whereas I am going “reward” my daughter for cleansing her room with some simulator time – we’re engaged on energy loops this week!

So, are you going to attempt putting in an FPV simulator for the youngsters at dwelling? inform me within the feedback the way it went!