Inexpensive option for practicing before using Starling 2 Max

[srydell]

Hello - we just purchased the Starling 2 Max for an R&D project. Our pilots are new to flying drones. Do you have a recommended device that can be flown that is less expensive for learning in case they crash it? Thanks!

[Alex Kushleyev]

Hi @srydell , you should use hobby / fpv quadcopters to get started with learning how to fly quadcopters. Most of them are flown very similarly to Starling 2 Max and you should at least master the angle + thrust control mode (roll, pitch, yaw angle an thrust as the 4 controls / sticks). More advanced (acro) mode would require controlling angular rates + thrust, which is for expert flyers and is not needed. Position mode (x,y,z position and yaw) is the easiest but would require some kind of positioning system (gps or VIO, etc), but that is the easiest to learn, since if you just let go of the control sticks, the vehicle will remain in place.

Learning to fly in angle + thrust mode is most useful and it will also let you better understand the vehicle's flight dynamics.

We do not have suggested options for what to buy for flight practice, but you should probably buy something that uses BetaFlight as the flight controller (very popular on fpv drones), but avoid aggressive racing drones -- it is better to start with something that is designed for smooth flight and filming rather than racing.

Alex

[Eric Katzfey]

Also, there are many good simulators out there.