An FPV drone is simply a drone with a first-person view that allows you to see what the drone sees. This video feed is typically transmitted to FPV goggles, a monitor, or a smartphone, giving you the sensation of “flying” from the drone’s perspective, as if you are sitting in the cockpit.
Let’s learn more about FPV Drone.
Table of Contents
What Does FPV Mean on a Drone?
FPV stands for First-Person View on a drone. It refers to a system where you control the drone while viewing a live video feed from the drone’s camera. They typically through FPV goggles, a monitor, or a mobile device. This setup gives you a real-time, immersive flying experience as if you were inside the drone.
Now that you know what FPV is, I believe you already have the answer to what is FPV drone. That’s right, it is a type of drone with a first-person view that allows you to see what the drone sees.
FPV drones are most commonly used in racing, freestyle flying, and aerial cinematography. They are equipped with high-performance cameras and low-latency video transmission systems to ensure smooth and responsive control. It often have smaller, agile frames and powerful motors to allow for quick, precise movements and extreme maneuvers.
For the usage, the FPV drone can be divided into three categories. It includes FPV racing drones, FPV cinematic drones, and FPV freestyles drones. See what are they different.
- FPV Racing Drones: Built for speed and agility, these drones feature lightweight frames, powerful motors, high-torque propellers, and low-latency video transmission systems for quick maneuvers in competitive racing environments.
- FPV Cinematic Drones: Designed for smooth, stable flight and high-quality video capture, these drones often come with advanced gimbals stabilization, high-resolution cameras, longer flight times, and steady video feeds to produce cinematic shots.
- FPV Freestyle Drones: Optimized for acrobatic maneuvers and stunts, these drones feature robust frames, responsive control systems, high-payload capacity for cameras, and strong motors to perform flips, rolls, and other complex tricks.
How Does FPV Drone Work?
It works by transmitting a live video feed from its onboard camera directly to you. Here’s how it works:
Camera: The drone is equipped with a small camera, often mounted at the front or on the drone’s body. This camera captures real-time footage of the environment.
Video Transmitter (VTX): The camera is connected to a video transmitter, which sends the live video feed wirelessly to the pilot. The transmitter operates on specific frequencies to ensure the feed is clear and stable.
FPV Goggles/Monitor: The video feed from the transmitter is received by the FPV goggles or a monitor. The goggles offer an immersive experience, displaying the footage in the field of view, while the monitor provides a broader screen for viewing.
Receiver: The FPV goggles or monitor are connected to a receiver, which picks up the video signal sent by the video transmitter on the drone. The receiver ensures the live feed is displayed in real time.
Control System: Radio controller is to send commands to the drone. You can adjust the throttle, pitch, roll, and yaw for precise flight control. The controller sends signals to the drone’s flight controller, which processes the commands and adjusts the drone’s motors accordingly.
Flight Controller: The flight controller is the brain of the drone. It builds into the drone and stabilizes the drone during flight, processes input from the pilot, and manages the motor speeds to maintain stable flight.

How Far Can a FPV Drone Fly?
The range of an FPV drone depends on several factors, including the radio control system, video transmission system, and environmental conditions. Here’s a breakdown of how far FPV drones can fly based on different setups:
1. Analog FPV Systems
- Range: 1–5 km (0.6–3 miles)
- Pros: Low latency, better penetration through obstacles
- Cons: Lower resolution video, interference at long distances
2. Digital FPV Systems (e.g., DJI FPV, HDZero)
- Range: 5–15 km (3–9 miles)
- Pros: High-definition video, clearer image quality
- Cons: More latency than analog, range will decrease in urban areas
3. Long-Range FPV Drones (Using Long-Range Radio Systems like Crossfire or ELRS)
- Range: 10–30 km (6–18 miles) or more
- Pros: Best for long-range exploration and freestyle FPV
- Cons: Requires high-power VTX, proper antennas, and ideal conditions
4. DJI FPV & GPS Drones (Like DJI Avata, DJI FPV, or Mavic Series with FPV Mode)
- Range: 10–20 km (6–12 miles) with strong signal
- Pros: Strong transmission, GPS-assisted return-to-home
- Cons: Limited maneuverability for freestyle flying

Factors That Affect FPV Drone Range
- Transmission Power & Frequency: 5.8GHz is common for FPV, but 2.4GHz or 900MHz (long-range systems) can extend range.
- Antenna Quality & Orientation: Directional antennas improve range over omnidirectional ones.
- Obstacles & Interference: Trees, buildings, and radio interference can reduce range.
- Battery Life: Even if the signal reaches far, battery life limits actual flying distance.
For hobbyists, a typical FPV drone range is around 2-5 km, while if you want a long-range FPV, you can push beyond 30 km with specialized gear.
FPV Drones Can Hover?
Can FPV Drones Hover? Yes, FPV drones can hover, but it depends on their type:
Standard FPV Drones (Manual Mode): Most FPV drones require constant manual control to stay in place. Unlike GPS drones (like DJI Mavic), they don’t have position-hold features, so hovering requires skillful throttle management.
Cinematic FPV Drones with GPS (DJI FPV, DJI Avata, etc.): These drones can hover using GPS stabilization, making them easier to control for filming.
Self-Built FPV Drones: If equipped with barometers, GPS, and auto-leveling flight controllers (like Betaflight’s Angle or Horizon modes), they can maintain a stable hover, but not as precisely as a GPS drone.
Cinematic drones with GPS can hover automatically, while FPV racing and freestyle drones need constant manual input.
Are FPV Drones Illegal
FPV drones are not illegal, but you must follow specific rules and regulations depending on where you are flying. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Registration: In some countries, if your drone weighs more than a certain amount (like 250g), it needs to be registered with the authorities.
- Airspace Restrictions: You cannot fly drones in restricted areas like airports, military zones, or crowded places unless you have permission.
- FPV Frequency: The frequency used for the video feed (usually 5.8GHz) is regulated, and you may need a license to use certain frequencies.
- Local Laws: Each country has its own rules, so always check the regulations in your area before flying.
In short, FPV drones are legal, but make sure you follow the rules to avoid breaking the law.

Final Words
In conclusion, FPV drones offer you a thrilling and immersive flying experience, whether you’re racing, performing freestyle maneuvers, or capturing stunning cinematic footage. Ready to begin your flying journey? Go to Banggood to find your first drone! There are a kinds of FPV drones waiting you discover.