Up, up, and away! If you’ve ever dreamed of flying like Superman, we have the information in this issue to at least make it seem as if you’re flying. Check out the “FPV Essentials” article by Michael York, who gives a rundown on all the equipment you need to experience FPV from your multirotor, including setup and troubleshooting tips. Watching the ground roll by on a video monitor is great, but to get the full feeling of flying, you will want to try on a pair of FPV goggles for total immersion. To find out which pair of goggles is right for you, turn to our “Goggles Guide” to get the lowdown on the different types available. Looking for the perfect starter FPV racer? Don’t miss our review of the DiamondHobby XROC-250, a ready-to-fly racing quad. A word of warning: FPV racing is addictive. After trying it for the first time, I’m now racing around the course (or my backyard) every weekend.
The International Drone Expo
I just got back from a two-day event in Los Angeles, California. Hosted by the UAV Systems Association (UAVSA), this year’s Expo was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and as the UAVSA’s official publication, we were excited to attend this second annual event to see just how far drones have come in a year. It was impressive to see the diversity of industrial applications that can be enhanced and improved by the use of drones. From the looks of things, the drone market is continuing to expand exponentially in all directions. For a complete wrap-up on this great event, be sure to check out our coverage of it in this issue. Speaking of shows, be sure to make plans to attend this year’s RCX, March 12–13, 2016, at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. This year’s event will have expanded drone participation, with some white-knuckle, first-person-view (FPV) quad racing (with the pilot’s view on a Jumbotron), and you’ll also get to see some incredible videos from the New York City Drone Film Festival. And last but not least, your favorite RotorDrone magazine editors will be there to say hi and talk shop. Early-bird discount tickets are available at RCX.com.
Ghost Town
Another one of my favorite stories in this issue is “Preserving the American West,” which highlights how the California State Parks system enlisted the help of drones to survey the abandoned mining town of Bodie, California, in the Sierra Nevada. Using the data and images captured by Monarch, Inc.’s multirotor, the park authorities are examining the information gathered to establish the arrested decay of the town and decide the best way to preserve this state treasure.
Until next time, enjoy your aerial view and land softly.
