Drone Engineer Basics

1. LO.1 Identify the key components of an FPV drone — frame, flight controller, ESC, motors, propellers, camera, video transmitter, receiver, radio controller, goggles and battery — explain what each one does, and explain the main criteria for selecting them so that they work together.
2. LO.2 Explain the risks of LiPo batteries and the rules for safe charging, storage, transport and disposal.
3. LO.3 Describe how thrust and attitude control produce drone movement, the basic role of flight modes, rates and PID settings, and recognise effects you encounter in flight such as ground effect, propwash vortex ring state.
4. LO.4 Select and safely use the hand tools, soldering equipment and measuring equipment needed to build and maintain a drone.
5. LO.5 Produce sound solder joints on drone electronics, applying correct tip selection, temperature, tinning and flux technique.
6. LO.6 Assemble a complete FPV drone from loose components, working from written build instructions.
7. LO.7 Configure your drone in Betaflight — receiver binding, motor and ESC checks, sensor calibration, flight modes and basic rates — and set up your radio controller and video system.
8. LO.8 Charge and balance LiPo batteries on a hobby charger, choosing the correct cell count, charge current and charging mode.
9. LO.9 Fly basic manoeuvres — hover, controlled forward flight, turns and a controlled landing — in the simulator, on a tinywhoop, and with your own drone indoors.
10. LO.10 Carry out a pre-flight check, apply the workshop rules for soldering, batteries, propellers and indoor flight, and take responsibility for your drone's airworthiness and the safety of people around you.
11. LO.11 Recognise and resolve simple build and configuration faults, and recognise when to ask an instructor for support.

Assessment