Over on another forum, there was some discussion about @Chaosrider flying his FPV in Manual Mode with a -20° viewing angle, which I think threw a few of us for a loop... a NEGATIVE viewing angle to fly FPV, why would you do that? In all my FPV flights, I've never attempted to fly with a negative view angle, and wondered what it would be like. Would you even be able to fly the drone, while looking down? How hard would it be to control? Would it be harder or easier to hover? Hmmm, how about we just test the different angles and see, that seems like a good idea.
So I went out and did 7 loops around a field, flying from -30° to +30° and every 10° in between. Now, I'm no expert FPV pilot, and I still count myself as a young (old) padawan when it comes to FPV, but I was fairly surprised by the results. At -30°, it felt almost impossible to fly and felt like to gain any speed, I was looking straight at the ground. However, at -20° it was actually quite easy to fly, although a lot slower than I'm used to and no real good view of the horizon. I think the easiest viewing angle to hover at was -10°, with a decent view of the horizon and ground. Took me a moment to get my bearings, but then the hover was fairly easy.
With all that said, even though a neutral or positive viewing angle is the norm, I don't think there is a 'right' way to fly FPV, when it comes to angles. The viewing angle is all depended on what the individual pilot wants to get out of the experience. If you want to putter around and fly cautiously, than a negative viewing angle will work just fine. If you want speed and want to zoom around at over 70mphs, than a negative viewing angle just isn't going to cut it. Although I initially thought flying at a negative viewing angle was ridiculous, I have come to realize that it's not and is a perfectly acceptable way to fly, based on what the pilot wants.
Anyhow, thought I'd share my experience with you and have a video below of the different viewing angles. There are chapters in the description if you want to skip to a particular angle to watch. My apologies on the telemetry overlay, it is a little bit off, but close enough. It was late and I was angrily watching poor Tampa Bay lose to New York. Any feedback, thoughts or discussion are welcome.
Sad about the Lightning. The Lightning have failed to execute offensively, looking rusty after a 9 day off and seem to be out of sync. Maybe playing at home tomorrow will motivate them to turn it around.
DowntownRDB Posted at 6-4 11:07
Nice test flight of all the various angles.
Sad about the Lightning. The Lightning have failed to execute offensively, looking rusty after a 9 day off and seem to be out of sync. Maybe playing at home tomorrow will motivate them to turn it around.
Thanks! And yes, I'm hoping they can get their **** together. Not a fan of New York or Colorado, and they're so far sweeping it.
RH009 Posted at 6-4 11:08
Thanks! And yes, I'm hoping they can get their **** together. Not a fan of New York or Colorado, and they're so far sweeping it.
I could see negative angle being useful if you were chasing something on the ground. But to your point, great that DJI gives you the flexibility to have control over it.
In chases I set mine for the target. On the ground -5 and up. It helps to not over run the subject and keep a little height. Small planes and paragliders. 10 and up they both can change speed to 0 real quick and the angel will keep the seed lower. Med planes to slower jets. 20 and up although the jet will have you bumping it up when they start to show off. Jet and fast acro planes are about 35 and up.
Once I see how a pilot flies or drivers I know. But that tends to only need about a 5deg up or down. When I have to set about 35 I know I'm in for a battery draining tail chase from hell! lol But still fun.
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