First-person view (remote control)

First-person view, often called FPV, is a way to control a remote-controlled vehicle by seeing exactly what the vehicle sees. This is done using a small camera on the vehicle that sends images to special goggles or a screen for the person controlling it. FPV is most commonly used with radio-controlled aircraft and other types of unmanned aerial vehicles, like military drones.

The person controlling the vehicle sees the world from the vehicle’s point of view, making it feel like they are right there. This helps them move more precisely and safely. More advanced setups can even use two cameras to create a 3D view, making it feel even more real. This technology is very useful for tasks that need careful control from a distance.

Airborne FPV

Airborne FPV is a fun way to fly remote-controlled (RC) airplanes using a live video feed. You attach a small camera and a video sender to the airplane, and watch the view from the camera on special goggles or a screen. This lets you feel like you’re flying right with the airplane!

There are two main parts: the camera and sender on the airplane, and the receiver and screen for you to watch. Some setups even let you see your location on a map and help the airplane fly back home if you lose control. You can choose different kinds of airplanes for FPV, like ones with fixed wings or ones that spin in the air. Popular frequencies for sending the video include 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz, with 5.8 GHz being easy to use and giving great picture quality.

Military use

Further information: Loitering munition § Evolution into other roles

During the Russo-Ukrainian war, remote-controlled drones were used by both sides. These drones could carry small amounts of explosive material and were operated from a distance by people controlling them. They were developed by Ukraine and later used by Russia as well. One example is the KH-S7 drone, which could carry a small payload over a long distance.

Regulations and safety

The use of FPV to fly remote-controlled aircraft far from the pilot can be risky. Some countries have rules to keep people safe.

In the United Kingdom, a person flying FPV must have someone else watching the aircraft to help avoid crashes. This person does not need to know how to fly the aircraft but must be told what to look for.

In the United States, rules about FPV are still being decided. Some rules say that pilots must always see their aircraft, but FPV uses cameras instead of direct sight. This makes it hard to follow some rules.

In Australia/[w/9), rules say that FPV pilots must have someone else watching the aircraft and being ready to take control if needed.