FPV (First Person View) Glossary

This glossary is a beginner-friendly reference to FPV (First Person View) drone terminology. It includes technical terms, acronyms, and slang used by the FPV community on forums, YouTube, and in everyday conversation. Each term is listed in alphabetical order with a bold heading, followed by a simple explanation. Wherever appropriate, variations or common phrases are included (for example, “ripping packs” is explained under Pack). This guide will help you understand the lingo of FPV drones without getting too technical.

0-9

2.4GHz: A common radio frequency band used for RC transmitters (radio controllers) and some digital FPV systems. Most remote controllers operate at 2.4 GHz for control signals.
5.8GHz: The primary frequency band used by analog FPV video transmitters to send live video from the drone to the pilot’s goggles. It offers good signal quality over short ranges with small antennas.
868MHz / 915MHz: Two close frequency bands (868 MHz used in Europe, 915 MHz in the US) often used for long-range control links like TBS Crossfire and ExpressLRS. These lower frequencies have better range and penetration through obstacles. (Note: 915 MHz is not legal for RC use in some regions like the EU.)
4-in-1 ESC: An electronic speed controller board that combines four ESCs into one unit. This single board can control all four motors of a quadcopter, simplifying the wiring and stack.

A

Acro Mode (Rate/Manual Mode): A flight mode where the drone does not self-level. The pilot has full manual control, and the drone will keep rotating if you hold the stick. This is the most common mode for freestyle FPV flying, as it allows flips and rolls (no auto-leveling) and gives the pilot complete control. It’s called “Acro” because it enables acrobatic maneuvers.
ACC (Accelerometer): A sensor on the flight controller that measures acceleration on each axis. It is used for self-leveling modes (like Angle Mode) to know the drone’s orientation relative to gravity.

Air Mode: A feature (in Betaflight firmware) that keeps the quadcopter’s controls responsive even at zero throttle. With Air Mode on, you can still maneuver (roll, pitch, yaw) your drone when the throttle stick is at idle. This is useful for stability during aerobatics, e.g. when chopping throttle for a moment, the quad won’t lose control authority.
AIO (All-In-One): In FPV, this usually refers to a flight controller board that has multiple components integrated. An AIO flight controller might include the FC and a 4-in-1 ESC on the same board, and sometimes even a receiver or VTX. AIO can also refer to tiny “whoop” style flight controllers with everything in one small package.
Angle Mode: A beginner-friendly flight mode where the drone auto-levels itself. When you center the sticks, the quadcopter stops and levels out. It also limits the tilt angle to prevent flips, which helps avoid confusion for new pilots. This mode is useful for learning, as it keeps the drone stable and easier to control.
Arducopter: An open-source autopilot software (part of ArduPilot) used for drones. It’s known for advanced features (waypoint navigation, GPS modes, return-to-home) and is often used in autonomous or long-range rigs rather than pure manual FPV drones.

Aux (Auxiliary) Channels: Extra channels on an RC transmitter aside from the main controls (throttle, yaw, pitch, roll). They are typically assigned to switches or knobs. Auxiliary channels are used to trigger things like flight modes, arming, buzzer, or turtle mode on the drone. For example, one aux switch might flip between Acro and Angle mode, another might activate the beeper.

B

Band (Video Band): A range of frequencies on which FPV video transmitters operate. Analog VTXs typically have bands labeled A, B, E, F, R, etc., each containing several channels. Changing the band/channel on your VTX and goggles selects a different frequency to avoid interference. (Digital systems handle frequencies differently, often automatically.)
Bando: Slang for an abandoned building or structure that is a popular freestyle FPV playground. Flying in a “bando” is exciting because of the many obstacles (windows, doorways, gaps) for performing tricks. You’ll often hear FPV pilots say they are flying at a local bando.
Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC): A voltage regulator device that provides a steady lower voltage to power electronics (like 5V for the flight controller) from the main battery. Many 4-in-1 ESCs or flight controllers have BECs built-in to power receivers, cameras, and LEDs. (It’s called eliminator because it eliminates the need for a separate receiver battery in RC models.)
Betaflight (BF): The most common open-source flight controller firmware for FPV racing and freestyle drones. It allows extensive tuning of flight performance (PID, rates) and supports many features through its configurator. When someone says “my quad runs Betaflight,” they mean it’s using this firmware on the flight controller.
Bind: The process of linking a radio receiver with your radio transmitter so they communicate with each other. When you “bind” a new quad, you put the receiver in bind mode and the radio in bind mode to pair them. Once bound, the transmitter will control the receiver on the drone.
BNF (Bind and Fly): A drone sold almost ready to fly – it comes fully built and includes a receiver, but you must bind it to your own radio controller. BNF models don’t include a transmitter. They’re essentially plug-and-play for anyone who already has a compatible radio. (Often used interchangeably with PNP, though technically PNP might exclude the receiver.)
Bootloader: A small program on a flight controller’s microcontroller that allows new firmware to be flashed onto the board. Putting a FC into “bootloader mode” (often by shorting boot pads or using the CLI command) is required for firmware updates (e.g. flashing Betaflight). In this mode, the FC waits for new firmware to be uploaded via USB.
Brushed Motor: A motor type using brushes and a commutator. These are cheaper, smaller motors often found in tiny toy drones or older micro whoops. They wear out faster and have less power compared to brushless motors. Most modern FPV drones use brushless motors, but 1S tiny whoops sometimes still use brushed.
Brushless Motor: The standard motor type for FPV drones. Brushless motors have no physical brushes; instead, an ESC switches the current electronically. They are more powerful, efficient, and durable than brushed motors. Brushless motors on FPV quads are usually outrunners (bell rotates around a fixed stator) and are identified by size and kV rating.
Buzzer (Beeper): A small audible alarm on a drone used to help locate it or indicate status. A buzzer can be triggered (via a switch or failsafe) to emit loud beeps if you crash in tall grass, making it easier to find the quad. Some flight controllers or ESCs can also “beeper” the motors to make tones without a physical buzzer.
Brownout: A momentary loss of power to the electronics, causing the flight controller or receiver to reset mid-flight. A brownout often happens when voltage drops too low (e.g. a bad battery connection or an over-taxed battery causing voltage sag). It results in a failsafe since the receiver or FC reboots. Pilots avoid brownouts by using a good power supply (capacitors, proper battery C-rating, secure connections).
“Butter Smooth”: Slang describing a quadcopter that flies exceptionally smoothly, with no oscillations or jitters. Pilots often chase a “butter smooth” tune – meaning the PID tuning is so good that the footage looks silky and the quad feels locked in.

C

C Rating: A battery’s discharge rating that indicates how fast the battery can safely be discharged. To get the maximum current (in amps) the pack can supply, multiply its capacity (Ah) by the C rating. For example, a 1500 mAh (1.5 Ah) 100C LiPo could theoretically deliver 1.5 * 100 = 150 A continuously (in practice, take these numbers with a grain of salt). Higher C-rating batteries can handle higher current draw without voltage sag, but C ratings are often inflated by manufacturers.
Cap (Capacitor): An electrical component (capacitor) often soldered onto the power leads of a quad to filter voltage spikes and electrical noise from the ESCs/motors. Adding a low-ESR capacitor (like a 35V 1000µF) across the battery terminals helps smooth the power supply, reducing video noise and protecting electronics from voltage spikes when the motors draw sudden bursts of current.
Carbon Fiber (CF): The material nearly all FPV drone frames are made of. Carbon fiber is light, rigid, and strong – ideal for withstanding crashes. You’ll often see frame parts (arms, top plate, bottom plate) cut from carbon fiber sheets. One downside is carbon is conductive, so be careful to prevent shorts when mounting electronics.
Channel: In FPV, “channel” can refer to the specific frequency channel your video transmitter is using (e.g., Raceband 1, 5733 MHz). It can also mean an RC control channel from your receiver (e.g., channel 3 for throttle). Context matters – usually video channel vs RC channel. When someone says “go to channel F4,” they mean video channel F4 on the VTX.
Cinewhoop: A small, ducted propeller drone designed for capturing cinematic footage. Cinewhoops typically have guards (ducts) around the props for safety and stability, and they carry a GoPro or similar camera. They are slower and more stable than freestyle drones, making them great for smooth indoor shots or flying around people (with proper precautions).
Cinelifter: A larger FPV drone built to carry heavy cinema cameras (like RED or Blackmagic). Cinelifters often use 6–10 inch props and sometimes X8 (coaxial dual-motor) configurations for extra thrust. They prioritize lifting power and stability to get high-quality footage, often at the cost of agility. These are used in professional filmmaking to capture shots with big cameras.
CLI (Command Line Interface): A text-based interface in Betaflight (and similar firmware) where you can type commands to configure the flight controller. Pilots use the CLI for advanced settings or tasks like restoring a saved configuration (“CLI dump”), or performing functions not available in the GUI. It looks like a DOS prompt and provides full control over settings if you know the commands.
Crossfire (TBS Crossfire): A popular long-range radio control system by Team BlackSheep that operates at 868 MHz (EU) / 915 MHz (US). Crossfire is known for its excellent range and link reliability; many freestyle and long-range pilots use it to minimize failsafes. It uses the CRSF protocol to communicate with the flight controller, offering low latency and telemetry feedback. (See also ExpressLRS for an open-source alternative.)
CW/CCW (Clockwise/Counter-Clockwise): Propeller or motor rotation direction. FPV quadcopters have two motors spinning clockwise and two counter-clockwise, and props are made to match. It’s important to mount the correct props on each motor (props usually have arrows or “CW/CCW” labels). If you put a prop on the wrong direction, the quad won’t lift properly. “Props out” is a setup where front props spin outward (reducing debris on the camera).

D

Deadcat: A type of quadcopter frame layout where the front arms are angled outward and the rear arms more backward, giving a “dead cat” silhouette. This moves the propellers out of the camera’s view (no props in your HD footage). Deadcat frames are popular for filming and cruising, though they can have slightly different flight characteristics compared to symmetric “X” frames.
Digital FPV: FPV video systems that transmit a digital signal (bits of data) instead of an analog video feed. Digital systems (like DJI FPV, Walksnail Avatar, HDZero) give clearer, high-definition video and are generally more resistant to static. The trade-off can be a bit more latency and some breakup characteristics (digital tends to freeze or pixelate, whereas analog gets gradual static). Digital FPV is becoming more popular as technology improves.
Diversity Receiver: A receiver system that uses two (or more) antennas (and sometimes two tuner modules) to capture signal, automatically picking the stronger signal. For FPV, diversity is often used in video receivers – e.g., goggles modules that have dual antennas (patch and omni) and intelligently switch to the better signal. This helps reduce video dropouts and is a standard feature in high-end analog receiver modules. Some radio receivers also use antenna diversity for a more reliable control link.
DJI: In FPV context, “DJI” often refers to DJI’s digital FPV system. DJI (a major drone company) introduced an HD FPV ecosystem with the DJI FPV Air Unit/Vista (on the drone) and DJI FPV Goggles. This system transmits 720p/120fps (or higher) video with low latency and has become widely used for those who want HD video in their goggles. DJI also released their own FPV drone and the Avata cinewhoop, but when pilots say “I’m flying DJI,” they usually mean they are using the DJI FPV video link on a custom quad.
DVR (Digital Video Recorder): A recording of the FPV video feed, typically saved by a module in the goggles. Analog goggles often have a built-in DVR to record what the pilot sees (useful for reviewing flights or finding a lost drone). The term “DVR” can refer to the device or the footage itself. For example, a pilot might say “Here’s the DVR from that flight” meaning the recorded goggles feed (which shows OSD info and any signal breakup).
DShot: A family of digital ESC protocols used to send throttle commands from the flight controller to the ESCs. DShot (e.g., DShot300, 600, 1200) replaced older analog PWM protocols like Oneshot and Multishot. It’s more reliable (no calibration needed) and can carry additional data like ESC telemetry or the ability to trigger beeper via motors. Virtually all modern ESCs and FCs support DShot, and you’ll select a DShot speed in your flight controller configuration.
Dynamic Range: In FPV cameras, dynamic range refers to the camera’s ability to handle both bright and dark areas in the image simultaneously. A camera with high dynamic range (WDR – wide dynamic range) can see details in shadows and highlights at the same time, which is helpful when flying from dark areas (like under trees) into bright sky. If a camera has poor dynamic range, you might get blinded by the sun or lose detail in dark spots.

E

ELRS (ExpressLRS): A modern open-source long-range RC control protocol (and hardware system) known for its low latency and long range. ExpressLRS operates typically at 2.4 GHz or 868/915 MHz and has become very popular due to its performance and affordability. For example, 2.4 GHz ELRS can out-range many older 900 MHz systems and with faster update rates. It’s common to see tiny ELRS receivers on new BNF drones.
ESC (Electronic Speed Controller): The electronic component that controls a motor’s speed. In an FPV quad, there are four ESCs (one per motor) or a 4-in-1 ESC board. The ESC takes signals from the flight controller and modulates power from the battery to drive the brushless motors. They also usually include a BEC to power the FC. BLHeli is the common ESC firmware, and DShot is the protocol as mentioned.
Expo (Exponential): A setting that makes the drone less sensitive around center stick. Exponential softens the response near the middle of the stick throw, which helps with fine control when hovering or making small adjustments. For example, adding 30% expo on pitch/roll means small stick movements result in even smaller control responses, giving you smoother control, while full stick still gives full rates. (In Betaflight, you set “RC Expo” for this, or use radio expo in your transmitter.)

F

Failsafe: A safety feature that activates if the control signal is lost or if certain conditions are met (like low receiver voltage). When a quad failsafes, it either cuts throttle and falls out of the sky or executes a preset action (e.g., engages GPS rescue if configured). Essentially, failsafe is what the drone does when it no longer is receiving commands – usually to minimize damage or flyaway. Pilots test failsafe on the bench (with props off) to ensure the motors shut down.
Feed (Video Feed): The live video stream sent from the drone’s FPV camera to the goggles or monitor. A clear feed means a good video signal. If someone says “I’m getting no feed,” it means no video is showing in the goggles (maybe the VTX or camera isn’t powered, or you’re on the wrong channel). The quality of the feed can vary with signal strength – analog gets static, digital might pixelate or freeze when weak.
Field of View (FOV): How wide the image appears. In FPV, FOV is discussed for both cameras and goggles. For example, an FPV camera might have a 150° FOV lens (very wide angle), and FPV goggles might have a 42° FOV (which refers to how large the screens feel to the eye). A wider camera FOV lets you see more peripheral surroundings (helpful for situational awareness), but too wide can warp the image. Goggles FOV is more about the immersiveness of the view – higher FOV goggles make it feel like a bigger screen in front of you.
Firmware: The low-level software running on an embedded device like a flight controller or ESC. Betaflight, iNav, EmuFlight, and KISS are all flight controller firmwares. Updating firmware can add features or fix bugs. For instance, you might flash the latest Betaflight firmware onto your FC using the Betaflight Configurator. ESCs also have firmware (BLHeli_S, BLHeli_32, etc.) which can sometimes be updated for performance improvements.
Flight Controller (FC): The “brain” of the drone – a small circuit board with sensors (gyro, and usually an accelerometer and others) that manages stability and control. The FC reads your stick inputs (from the receiver), uses the PID controller algorithm to determine motor outputs, and sends commands to the ESCs to adjust motor speeds. It often includes other features like an OSD chip, blackbox logging, voltage regulators, etc. Common FC form factors are 30.5×30.5mm or 20×20mm boards mounted in the stack.
Flow: Slang referring to a smooth, fluid flying style in freestyle FPV. If a pilot has “good flow,” their maneuvers and transitions look seamless and well-timed. It often comes from practice and knowing how to link tricks together. You’ll hear this in the context of freestyle videos: “That pilot’s flow is amazing”.
FPV (First Person View): Flying a drone using the perspective of an onboard camera, as if you’re in the cockpit. The pilot wears goggles (or uses a screen) to see live video from the drone. FPV allows precise flying around obstacles because you see what the drone sees in real time. It’s the core of drone racing and freestyle – differentiating it from traditional line-of-sight (LOS) flying where you watch the craft from the outside.
FPV Camera: The small camera mounted on the drone that captures the live video feed you see in your goggles. This is not the same as an HD action camera. FPV cameras (usually analog or digital FPV cams) are optimized for low latency and light sensitivity. Common analog FPV cam specs: 600TVL to 1200TVL resolution, PAL/NTSC, 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio. With digital, the FPV camera connects to the digital VTX module.
FrSky: Pronounced “frie-sky,” this is a popular RC radio brand and also refers to their radio link protocol. FrSky transmitters (like the Taranis, QX7, X9D) and receivers often use the ACCST or ACCESS protocols in 2.4 GHz. Many BNF drones come with a “FrSky” receiver option, which typically means an SPI receiver on board bound to FrSky protocol (often D16 mode). FrSky was an industry standard for years, though some pilots have moved to Crossfire/ELRS.
Frame: The physical structure (usually carbon fiber) of the drone to which all components mount. It includes the arms, plates, and standoffs. Frames come in various sizes (often named by prop size or diagonal motor distance) such as a “5-inch frame” for 5″ props, or “3-inch micro frame,” etc. The frame design (X-frame, stretch X, deadcat, etc.) can influence flight characteristics and camera view.
Frequency (RF Frequency): The radio frequency used by a device. In FPV, you have control link frequencies (commonly 2.4 GHz or 900 MHz) and video link frequencies (mostly 5.8 GHz for analog video). It’s important to use the correct frequencies and comply with regulations – e.g., in the US, 5.8 GHz analog for video and 915 MHz for control are open for hobby use (with ham license for higher power), whereas in the EU, 868 MHz is used instead of 915. FPV pilots need to manage frequencies especially when multiple pilots fly together to avoid interference.
FTDI: A type of USB-to-serial adapter often used to interface with flight controllers or other electronics that don’t have USB. The term comes from the FTDI company (e.g., FT232RL chip). In practice, if you have an older flight controller that only has serial pins (no USB plug), you might use an FTDI adapter to connect it to your computer for flashing or using the CLI. Similarly, some external devices like certain receivers or OSD boards might require an FTDI for configuration.

G

Gap: Any opening or space between obstacles that a pilot tries to fly through. Freestyle pilots often talk about “hitting a gap,” like diving through a window frame or the space between trees. It’s one of the satisfying challenges in FPV – finding a tight gap and flying cleanly through it without clipping a prop.
Gimbal: In photography drones, a gimbal is the stabilized camera mount that keeps the camera steady. In FPV context, gimbals usually refer to the two stick units on the radio transmitter. High-end radios have precision gimbals (often hall effect sensors) for smooth control. (So don’t confuse a GoPro’s 3-axis gimbal with your Taranis gimbals – FPV freestyle drones generally have fixed cameras with no stabilization on the camera itself.)
Goggles (FPV Goggles): The headset that FPV pilots wear to see the drone’s camera view in real time. Goggles typically have two small screens (one for each eye) or one screen with optics, and they receive the video feed from the drone via a receiver. They often include features like a DVR (to record flights) and modular bays for different receiver modules. FPV goggles give an immersive flying experience – as if you’re on board the drone. (Some beginners start with a simple monitor or VR-box style goggles, but the experience is better with dedicated FPV goggles.)
GPS Rescue: A semi-autonomous “save your quad” feature using GPS. If configured, when you trigger GPS rescue (or on failsafe, if configured), the drone will climb and fly back toward the home point and then descend. It’s like a basic “return to home.” This is available in Betaflight and iNav. In Betaflight it’s not as robust as a full autopilot RTH (no landing, and you must disarm before it overflies home), but it can often bring a quad back into range if you lose video or control far away. (Requires a GPS module on the quad and proper setup.)
Ground Effect: A phenomenon where, when flying very close to the ground (within roughly a prop’s diameter or so), the drone’s own prop wash reflects off the ground and creates a cushion of turbulent air. This can cause the quad to feel bouncy or unstable when landing or taking off. Pilots might notice the quad suddenly dip or climb as it transitions into or out of ground effect. It’s a minor thing but good to be aware of when practicing low hovers or touch-and-go landings.
Gyro (Gyroscope): A sensor on the flight controller that measures angular velocity (how fast the drone is rotating) on each axis. The gyro is critical for flight stabilization – its readings are used in the PID loop to maintain or change orientation. If you hear “gyro scaled” or “gyro noise,” it refers to vibrations or data from this sensor. Modern FCs have very capable gyros (like MPU6000, BMI270, etc.), and the quality of gyro data can affect how well a quad can be tuned.

H

HDZero: A digital FPV video system (by Divimath/Fat Shark) that transmits HD video with very low latency. HDZero uses 5.8 GHz like analog, but with digital modulation. It’s known for racing performance (low latency, high frame rates) and is an open ecosystem (multiple manufacturers make cameras, VTXs, and receivers for it). Pilots who want near-analog latency but HD clarity often choose HDZero.
Horizon Mode: A flight mode similar to Angle Mode (self-leveling) but that still allows you to do flips/rolls if you give a large stick input. In Horizon mode, the drone will auto-level when the sticks are near center, but if you push an stick to an extreme, the quad will flip and then auto-level when you release. It’s a hybrid mode useful for transitioning from Angle to full Acro. Horizon is often described as a mode “ideal for beginners as the aircraft will self-level itself” but still permits acrobatics.
H7 (Processor): Refers to an STM32H7 series microcontroller on a flight controller. Flight controllers are often categorized by their processor type: F1, F3 (old), F4, F7, and newer H7. The H7 is a high-performance MCU that can run at faster speeds and handle more tasks. An H7 FC can generally run higher PID loop rates or handle more peripherals with less CPU load, but for a beginner it mainly means it’s a more “premium” board.
Hexacopter: A drone with six motors/propellers (usually six arms). In FPV, most people fly quadcopters (four motors), but hexacopters or octocopters are used for heavy lift or redundancy (a hex can still fly if one motor fails, in some cases). Hexacopters aren’t common for freestyle, but you may see them in aerial photography or long-range rigs that need the extra lift capacity.

I

iNav: An alternate flight controller firmware that builds on Betaflight but adds better GPS capabilities (loiter, return-to-home, waypoint missions, airplane support). iNav is popular for long-range quadcopters and FPV fixed-wing aircraft where autonomous flight features are wanted. If you want to build an FPV drone with GPS navigation or a plane that can self-stabilize and return home, iNav is a go-to firmware.
IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit): The combination of sensors (gyro, accelerometer, and sometimes magnetometer) that together measure the drone’s motion and orientation. In an FPV flight controller, the IMU typically refers to the gyro + accelerometer chip. The IMU outputs data used to stabilize the drone. A well-calibrated and low-noise IMU is important for precise flight. (Some FCs have two IMUs for redundancy or filtering).
IRC Tramp: A protocol developed by ImmersionRC for controlling video transmitters (VTX) via the flight controller. Similar to SmartAudio (by TBS), Tramp allows changing channels, bands, and power levels on your VTX using the OSD or transmitter. If your VTX is Tramp protocol, you’ll select “IRC Tramp” in Betaflight and wire the VTX telemetry to a UART. Then you can change video channel from your goggles menu instead of fiddling with VTX buttons.
I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit): A communication bus/protocol often used for certain sensors or peripherals on the flight controller. For example, a magnetometer (compass) or barometer might communicate via I2C. It uses two wires (SDA and SCL) for data. I2C is slower than UART and can be susceptible to noise over distance, but it’s convenient for connecting multiple devices. Flight controllers have I2C pads for adding GPS+compass modules, etc.

J

Jello: Slang for a wobbly or shaky video effect in FPV footage. It looks like the image is wobbling like jelly, and is caused by high-frequency vibrations reaching the camera (often due to unbalanced props or frame resonance). Pilots reduce jello by balancing props, soft-mounting cameras, and using ND filters or better tune to avoid oscillations. Having a low-jello feed is important for clear HD footage.
JST: A type of small electrical connector commonly used on electronics. In FPV, JST-PH (2.0mm pitch) connectors are often used on tiny whoops for the battery lead (commonly called “PH2.0 connector”), and JST-SM are used for LED strips. JST connectors are usually red or white plastic plugs. They’re keyed so they only plug in one way. If someone says “that VTX has a JST connector,” they mean a little plug instead of solder pads.

K

kV (Motor kV): A number rating for brushless motors that indicates the RPM per volt with no load. For example, a 2300 kV motor on a 4S (16.8 V) battery spins about 2300 * 16.8 ≈ 38,640 RPM at full throttle with no prop attached. Generally, lower kV motors are used with higher-voltage batteries or larger props (more torque, less RPM), and higher kV motors with lower voltage or smaller props (higher RPM). Choosing the right kV is important for matching motor, prop, and battery to get desired performance.
KISS: A flight control firmware and hardware ecosystem made by Flyduino. KISS stands for “Keep It Simple, Stupid”. It’s known for providing an excellent flight feel with minimal tuning, as opposed to the plethora of options in Betaflight. Some pilots prefer KISS or its fork FETtec (and the newer KISS Ultra) for their freestyle builds. KISS uses its own flight controllers and ESCs, separate from Betaflight/BLHeli.
KWAD – Another way of spelling Quad

L

Latency: The delay between an action and its effect. In FPV, we often talk about radio link latency (how long between moving the stick and the quad responding) and video latency (delay from the camera to what you see in goggles). A lower latency means a more responsive feel. Modern control links like Crossfire/ELRS and digital FPV systems work to minimize latency. For example, analog video has ~20ms latency, HDZero digital around ~20-30ms, DJI FPV around ~28ms in low-latency mode, etc.
LiPo (Lithium Polymer Battery): The most common type of battery used to power FPV drones. LiPo batteries consist of cells rated at 3.7 V nominal (4.2 V full charge). We refer to packs by their cell count, e.g., 4S (4-cell) or 6S (6-cell). LiPos can deliver high current but require careful handling: you shouldn’t over-discharge (below ~3.5 V per cell under load, 3.7-3.8 V resting) or over-charge (above 4.2 V per cell), and they can catch fire if punctured or charged improperly. Pilots often refer to LiPos as “packs.”
Li-ion (Lithium Ion Battery): A different type of lithium battery cell often used in longer-range, efficiency-focused drones or DIY battery packs. Lithium-ion cells (like 18650 or 21700 cells) have higher energy density (mAh per gram) but lower discharge rates compared to LiPo. They are used when you need longer flight time and can sacrifice some punch. For example, an LR (long-range) quad might use a 4S2P Li-ion pack to cruise for 15+ minutes, whereas a freestyle quad uses a LiPo to provide huge current for acrobatics but only flies ~3–5 minutes.
Line of Sight (LOS): Flying the drone by watching it externally, instead of through an FPV feed. LOS flying means you are not wearing goggles – you’re controlling the craft based on seeing it from the outside. FPV pilots sometimes practice LOS to get a better feel or as a backup skill. In many countries, regulations require FPV pilots to have a “visual observer” maintaining line-of-sight, because officially the pilot is not LOS when wearing goggles.
Link Quality (LQ): A metric (especially in systems like Crossfire and ExpressLRS) that indicates the quality of the control link. It’s often shown as a percentage or a ratio. For example, Crossfire LQ might be 300 (meaning 100% link with 3x redundancy) and then drop to 150 (50%) or 100 (losing packets) as you go far, eventually 0. ELRS shows LQ as a percentage (100%, 90%, etc.) or two numbers (e.g. 2:100 means two antennas and 100%). LQ is often more useful than RSSI alone for judging if you’re close to failsafe, because it accounts for lost packets, not just signal strength.
LiHV (High Voltage LiPo): A variant of LiPo battery that can be charged to a higher per-cell voltage (4.35 V instead of 4.20 V). LiHV batteries give a bit more punch and capacity, but unless specifically labeled as HV, most LiPos should not be overcharged. Many pilots stick to normal LiPos; LiHV are more common in Tiny Whoop size cells. They carry slightly higher risk if not handled properly, and their longevity might be less if regularly charged to 4.35 V.
Lipo Bag/Sack: A fire-resistant bag used to charge or store LiPo batteries. It’s a safety measure; if a LiPo catches fire or vents while charging, the lipo sack can help contain the flames. While not foolproof, using a lipo bag and never leaving charging batteries unattended are good safety practices. (Some people use ammo cans or ceramic flower pots as alternatives.)

M

mAh (Milliamp Hours): A unit of electric charge used to indicate battery capacity. It represents how many milliamps the battery can supply for one hour. For example, a 1300 mAh pack could theoretically supply 1300 mA (1.3 A) for 1 hour, or 26 A for 3 minutes, etc. In practice, you don’t use the full capacity in flight (to avoid over-discharge). Higher mAh packs give longer flight times but are heavier.
Magic Smoke: A joking term for the smoke that comes out of electronics when you fry a component (short-circuit or burn something out). If someone says “I let the magic smoke out,” it means a component on their quad released smoke and is likely dead (for instance, a fried ESC). The humor is that electronics run on “magic smoke” and once it escapes, they stop working. 😉 Always double-check wiring to avoid releasing the magic smoke!
Mag (Magnetometer/Compass): A compass sensor that can be part of a flight controller (usually only used if you’re doing GPS navigation). The magnetometer tells the flight controller which direction it’s facing relative to Earth’s magnetic field. Freestyle quads typically don’t use a mag, but long-range rigs or planes with iNav often have one (commonly on a GPS module) for accurate heading hold in GPS modes.
MCU (Microcontroller Unit): The main processor on the flight controller (for example, an STM32F405). It’s essentially the mini computer that runs the firmware (Betaflight, etc.). When you see FC specs, F4, F7, H7 refer to the MCU generation. More powerful MCUs can handle more features or higher loop rates.
Micro Quad: An FPV drone smaller than a typical 5-inch. Often refers to 2-inch or 3-inch propeller quads (sometimes even smaller). These can be whooped (ducted) or open-prop. Micro quads are great for indoor flying or tight spaces and are often less intimidating for beginners. They usually run on small batteries like 2S-4S LiPos and are light enough to be more “crash friendly.”
MinimOSD: A small on-screen display (OSD) board that was used with older flight controllers (especially ArduPilot or MultiWii) to overlay telemetry on analog video. While modern Betaflight FCs have OSD built-in, you might hear MinimOSD in older forum posts. It connected between the camera and VTX, and to the FC telemetry, to display info like voltage and GPS data on analog feed.
MMCX: A type of RF connector for antennas, slightly larger than the tiny U.FL. Many video transmitters (VTX) use MMCX connectors because they are more robust and can be plugged/unplugged more often without breaking. They click in place securely. Some receivers also use MMCX for their antenna connectors. When buying antennas or pigtails, ensure you get the correct connector type (MMCX vs U.FL vs SMA).
Mode 1 / Mode 2: The configuration of an RC transmitter’s stick functions. In Mode 2 (most common in the US/Europe), the left stick is throttle & yaw, and the right stick is pitch & roll. In Mode 1 (more common in some parts of Asia/Australia), the right stick is throttle & roll, left is pitch & yaw. It’s critical to have the right mode for your muscle memory – most FPV pilots use Mode 2. Radios can often be converted between modes with some mechanical adjustments and setting changes.
Motor: The electric motors that spin the propellers. FPV drones use brushless motors sized by stator dimensions (e.g., 2207 means 22 mm diameter, 7 mm tall stator) and a kV rating. The motors are what make the quad go brrr. In a crash, motors can get bent shafts or debris between magnets. Good maintenance includes checking motors for smoothness. When building, you must wire each motor’s ESC outputs in the right order/direction (or configure it in software) so the quad flies correctly.
Multishot: An older ESC protocol (analog PWM) that was a successor to Oneshot. Multishot runs at a higher frequency (up to 32 kHz) for lower latency ESC signals. It provided smoother response than Oneshot, but it has been largely replaced by digital protocols like DShot. You might only encounter Multishot in historical context or on very old firmware/ESCs. Modern setups stick to DShot for the advantages it provides.

N

Naked GoPro: A GoPro camera with the case and extra components removed to save weight. Pilots “naked-ify” GoPros (or buy ones like the Hero10 Bones) to put on small drones (like cinewhoops) that can’t lift a full GoPro. A naked GoPro still provides high-quality footage but may be more fragile. It’s typically powered by the drone’s battery via a BEC and often has no screen or battery of its own.
NTSC/PAL: Two analog video standards. NTSC is the system used in North America (30 frames ~60 fields interlaced, ~525 lines), PAL is common in Europe (25 frames ~50 fields, ~625 lines). In FPV cameras, you often can choose NTSC or PAL. PAL has slightly higher vertical resolution and slightly lower frame rate. In practice, they look similar, but you must match your goggles’ setting. PAL in an NTSC goggle setting might show a rolling screen or black & white. (Pal = Phase Alternating Line, NTSC = National Television System Committee format).

O

Oneshot: An older ESC protocol (OneShot125 and OneShot42) that sends throttle signals to the ESC faster than standard 50 Hz PWM. It reduced latency by updating every loop instead of waiting, giving more responsive motor control. OneShot125 sends pulses in a 125 µs frame (8 kHz). It’s now obsolete, replaced by Multishot and eventually DShot. You might still see Oneshot settings in BLHeli or Betaflight, but modern ESCs are all using DShot.
OSD (On-Screen Display): Text/graphics overlay on the FPV feed that shows telemetry like battery voltage, current, RSSI, flight mode, timer, etc.. Betaflight and other firmwares have an integrated OSD that you can configure in the configurator or OSD menu. The OSD data is superimposed on your goggles view in real-time. For digital systems, the OSD may be custom (DJI has its own limited OSD, while HDZero and Walksnail can display Betaflight OSD elements). New pilots should definitely use OSD info like voltage and a timer to avoid over-discharging batteries.
OTA (Over-The-Air) Update: Updating firmware wirelessly. In FPV, this often refers to updating things like ExpressLRS receiver or VTX firmware without directly plugging in. For example, ELRS receivers can be updated via WiFi or via the radio transmitter link (no need to take the quad apart). OTA updates are convenient but sometimes less reliable than wired, so use with caution (always have a backup plan in case an OTA update fails and bricks the device until you can wire it).
OTX (OpenTX / EdgeTX): OpenTX is an open-source firmware for RC transmitters, and EdgeTX is a fork of it. These firmwares run on radios like FrSky Taranis and Radiomaster TX16S, allowing a highly customizable setup. If someone says “my radio is on OpenTX,” they mean they’ve perhaps configured special switches, voice alerts, logical functions, etc. For beginners, OpenTX/EdgeTX can be complex but it’s very powerful. Many modern radios now come with EdgeTX (since 2021) which is similar to OpenTX with a more active development.

P

Pack: Slang for a battery pack (LiPo). For example, “I flew three packs today” means three batteries were used. Ripping packs means flying through multiple packs aggressively back-to-back. Pilots often say “let’s rip some packs” to imply going out flying for fun. Taking care of your packs (storage charge, not over-discharging) will make them last more cycles.
PAL: An analog video format standard (see NTSC/PAL above). FPV cameras can usually be set to either PAL or NTSC output. In Europe, many pilots use PAL by default (slightly higher resolution; also historically, PAL 50 Hz avoided flicker with 50 Hz lighting). It’s mostly relevant for analog FPV systems – digital doesn’t use PAL/NTSC in the same way.
Payload: Any additional weight a drone carries beyond its own components. For FPV drones, payload typically refers to an action camera (like a GoPro) or perhaps an LED banner, etc. Exceeding a drone’s designed payload can significantly reduce performance and flight time. In professional drone use, payload might mean things like delivery packages or sensors.
PCB (Printed Circuit Board): The boards that hold electronic components. In an FPV context, “PCB” might refer specifically to a PDB (Power Distribution Board) – a board that distributes battery power to ESCs and other electronics. Modern builds often incorporate the PDB into a 4-in-1 ESC or the FC, so standalone PDBs are less common now. Still, any circuit board on the quad (FC, ESC, etc.) is a PCB.
PDB (Power Distribution Board): A board used in some drones to distribute the main battery voltage to the ESCs and other components. In older builds, you’d have a PDB in the stack where you soldered the battery leads and ESC leads. Many PDBs also include BECs for 5V/12V outputs. Nowadays, 4-in-1 ESCs perform the PDB function (battery in, four ESC outputs out).
PID Controller: The core flight control algorithm that keeps the drone stable. PID stands for Proportional, Integral, Derivative – three terms that are tuned to make the quad respond correctly to your stick inputs and to disturbances. The flight controller’s PID controller takes the gyro data and tries to minimize the error between desired rotation (from your sticks) and actual rotation. Default PIDs usually fly OK, but tuning can significantly improve flight performance.
PID Tuning: The process of optimizing the PID values (and possibly filter settings) to achieve the best flight performance. A well-tuned quad will feel locked-in, have minimal oscillations, and recover quickly from moves without overshooting. Tuning PID involves adjusting the P, I, and D gains – too high can cause oscillations (“overshoot” or fast oscillation buzz), too low can cause sluggish response or slow oscillations. Many pilots use blackbox logs or tuning flights to refine their PID values. There are also presets and tuning guides available, so beginners don’t always have to tune from scratch.
Pitch (Flight Axis): One of the rotation axes of the drone. Pitch means tilting the nose up or down (imagine a plane nodding “yes”). Pushing the right stick forward on a Mode 2 transmitter pitches the drone forward (nose down), causing it to fly forward. Pitch back (nose up) makes it go backward. Pitch is also used when describing tricks: e.g., a “pitch forward flip” is just a forward flip about the pitch axis. (Don’t confuse with propeller pitch – that’s different: see Propeller below.)
Prop (Propeller): The blades that spin to produce thrust. FPV props are typically two-blade or three-blade (triblade) propellers. They are identified by diameter and pitch. For example, a “5×4.5×3” prop has 5 inch diameter, 4.5 inch pitch, and 3 blades. Prop pitch is how far the prop would theoretically travel in one revolution (4.5 inches in this example). Higher pitch props generally give more thrust at the cost of drawing more current and potentially causing more prop wash. Props are consumables – you’ll break many, so it’s good to have plenty of spares.
Prop Wash: The turbulent air created by the props, especially when the drone is descending quickly or after aggressive moves. Flying back into your own turbulent air can cause the quad to wobble or oscillate – this effect is called prop wash. You’ll notice prop wash when dropping straight down through your own thrust; the quad starts to shake or waggle. Pilots minimize prop wash by descending more gradually or forward-moving, and by tuning the quad (good PIDs and filtering can greatly reduce propwash oscillation).
Punch-Out: A rapid, full-throttle ascent. “Giving it a punch” means raising the throttle quickly to shoot the quad upward. A punch-out demonstrates a drone’s power – you’ll see the quad go from hover to sky-high in a second. Punch-outs put a lot of stress on the battery (voltage sag) and can lead to ESC desync if the setup is not robust. It’s fun to do quick punch-outs, but be mindful of battery voltage (and local regulations – sudden climbs could surprise any nearby manned aircraft).
Pigtail: A short extension cable, usually referring to the battery lead or an antenna extension. For example, a battery pigtail is the wire lead and connector coming off the ESC or 4-in-1 (where you plug in the battery). An antenna pigtail (e.g., U.FL to SMA cable) might connect a VTX board to an external antenna. Pigtails can wear out or get damaged in crashes – e.g., a battery pigtail’s solder joint could rip off in a hard crash, or an antenna pigtail could snap. They are relatively easy to replace with soldering.
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation): A method to send signals by varying the width of pulses. In FPV, PWM is the traditional way a receiver outputs channel signals to servos or a flight controller – each channel on its own wire with pulses between 1000 µs and 2000 µs (repeated ~50-200 Hz). Early flight controllers took PWM inputs (one cable per channel from the receiver). Now almost all use serial protocols (like SBUS or CRSF) instead. PWM is also used internally in ESCs (to control motor phases) but that’s not something we adjust manually. The term mostly comes up if you deal with old receivers or are setting up servos on a plane.
PPM (Pulse Position Modulation): A legacy protocol where multiple RC channels are encoded into a single sequential pulse stream. A PPM signal sends one pulse after another, each position corresponding to a channel’s value. Flight controllers could use one PPM cable instead of many PWM cables for receiver input (an improvement before serial protocols became standard). It’s rarely used now – SBUS/CRSF are better – but some older transmitters/receivers (and trainer ports) use PPM.
Racing Drone: An FPV drone optimized for speed and agility on race courses. Racing drones are typically around 5″ prop size, very lightweight, with powerful motors that prioritize top speed and quick response. They often have a minimalist frame, small camera angle (tilted very far forward, because they pitch forward a lot in fast flight), and use high-C batteries (like 6S) for power. They sacrifice some stability and HD recording capability (usually no GoPro to save weight) in favor of performance. In contrast, a freestyle drone is built more for acrobatic moves and smooth footage (often carrying a GoPro, with more tuning for stability rather than pure speed).

Q

Quad / Quadcopter: A drone with four motors/propellers. In the FPV world, “quad” almost always means a quadcopter drone (as opposed to other RC vehicles or aircraft). This is the most common type of FPV drone. When someone says “I built a 5″ quad,” they mean a 5-inch-propeller quadcopter. Other multis are usually specifically named (tri, hexa, etc.).
Quadversary: Slang for the anniversary of when someone started flying FPV quads. For example, “Today is my 1-year quadversary!” It’s just a fun term in the community.

R

Rate (Rates): Settings that define how responsive the drone is to stick inputs – essentially how fast it can rotate on each axis per stick deflection. In Betaflight and similar, rates usually consist of a curve that sets degrees per second at full stick and how the response feels around center. Higher rates mean the quad flips/rolls faster. Many freestyle pilots use moderate rates (e.g., 700°/s) for smooth control, while some acro pilots use very high rates (1000°/s or more) for quick flips and rolls. Tuning your rates is a personal preference to match your flying style.
Receiver (RX): The device on the drone that receives control signals from your radio transmitter. It’s usually a small board or module with antennas. Common receiver types are FrSky XM+ (2.4 GHz), Crossfire Nano RX (900 MHz), ELRS EP2 (2.4 GHz) etc. The receiver outputs the channels to the flight controller via a protocol (SBUS, CRSF, etc.). Binding the receiver to your radio links them. Some flight controllers have integrated receivers (especially on tiny whoops).
RC (Radio Controller or Remote Control): Depending on context, RC can refer to the transmitter in your hands (the controller) or to the hobby in general (radio control). In this glossary, RC usually means the handheld transmitter. For example, if someone says “My RC lost signal,” they mean their transmitter’s connection to the receiver dropped. RC as a hobby term (e.g., “RC planes”) just means radio-controlled.
RCG (RCGroups): The biggest online forum for RC and FPV topics. RCGroups (rcgroups.com) has discussion threads on everything from mini quads to giant scale planes. It’s a bit old-school forum compared to modern Facebook groups or Reddit, but it’s a treasure trove of information. If someone references “RCG,” they likely found info or posted on that forum.
RF (Radio Frequency): Any frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum used for radio communication. In FPV, we deal with RF all the time (2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, etc.). Good RF practices include using proper antennas (frequency matched, not damaged), maintaining line-of-sight as much as possible, and not running VTXs on the same channel as others to avoid interference.
RHCP / LHCP: Right-Hand Circular Polarization and Left-Hand Circular Polarization. These refer to the polarization of FPV antennas. A circularly polarized antenna’s electric field corkscrews in either a right-hand or left-hand direction. To get the best signal, your transmitting and receiving antennas should have the same polarization. RHCP is most common (your Cloverleaf or Pagoda antenna likely is RHCP). LHCP is used if you want to fly with others on the same frequency but avoid cross-talk – e.g., one pilot uses RHCP, another uses LHCP, their signals won’t interfere much. Always match your goggle antenna polarization to your drone’s antenna polarization.
RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator): A value that indicates how strong the radio signal is that the receiver is getting from the transmitter. RSSI is often displayed as a percentage or dBm value in the OSD. If RSSI drops too low, you risk a failsafe (loss of control). Different systems output RSSI differently – e.g., on FrSky you might get an RSSI channel, on Crossfire you might instead monitor LQ. If your RSSI is, say, 40% and you’re not far, something’s wrong (maybe antenna issue). RSSI is mostly relevant for analog control links; digital links like ELRS output an LQ and RSSI dBm for more clarity.
RTH (Return to Home): A feature available on some flight controllers that will cause the drone to fly back to the launch point automatically (generally requires GPS). In Betaflight it’s called GPS Rescue (since it’s not as precise). In iNav or ArduPilot, a full RTH will climb to a preset altitude, navigate to home, and even descend and land. RTH is a great safety net for long-range flying – if you lose video, you trigger RTH and hope the drone comes back in range or lands near you. Just remember to set it up correctly (record home position, set altitude high enough to avoid obstacles, etc.).
RTF (Ready to Fly): A drone package that includes everything needed to fly out of the box. For example, an RTF kit might include the drone, a compatible transmitter, a pair of FPV goggles, battery and charger – essentially, you open the box and (after basic setup or charging) you can start flying. It’s aimed at beginners. Be aware that “ready to fly” might be a stretch in some cases (you might still need to do some configuration or minor assembly), but it should be close.
ReelSteady: A stabilization software (now part of GoPro’s offerings) that smooths out FPV footage in post-production. It uses the gyro data from GoPro recordings to correct shake and jello, producing ultra-smooth cinematic video. Many FPV pilots recording with a GoPro use ReelSteady GO or the new GoPro Player + ReelSteady to make their freestyle footage look buttery. Note that for ReelSteady to work well, your GoPro must have stabilization off but be recording gyro data (the newer GoPros do). GyroFlow is an open-source alternative for stabilization using gyro data.

S

SBUS (Serial BUS): A common protocol for receivers to send control signals to the flight controller. SBUS (invented by Futaba, popularized by FrSky) is a digital signal over one wire that carries all channels (typically 16 channels). Most FrSky receivers output SBUS. Flight controllers have an “SBUS” or “Serial RX” input (an RX pad on a UART) to connect this. SBUS signals are inverted by design, but most modern FCs handle that internally. If your receiver is bound but you see no stick movement in Betaflight, you might have SBUS not setup or wired correctly.
Blackbox: Many flight controllers have an SD card slot used for Blackbox logging (recording flight data like gyro, PID loop, RC commands, etc.). Pilots use blackbox logs for debugging issues or fine-tuning PIDs by analyzing the data on a computer. If someone says “check the blackbox,” they mean to review the flight log. Not all FCs have SD slots; some have onboard flash memory for blackbox, and some budget ones have none.
Send It: FPV slang for aggressively going for a maneuver or takeoff with full commitment. For example, just before your friend is about to fly, you might enthusiastically say, “Send it!”. It’s basically like saying “go for it!” In usage: “That gap looks tight, but I’m gonna send it.” It embodies the go-big-or-go-home, fun-loving attitude in freestyle FPV.
Servo: A motor with a feedback mechanism, typically used to move control surfaces on planes or a camera gimbal. In multirotor FPV, you normally don’t have servos (except for tricopters or if you build something like a servo-driven camera mount). However, in FPV wings or planes, servos are crucial (for ailerons, elevator, rudder). Servos are usually controlled by PWM outputs from an RC receiver or flight controller.
Shot (Blown ESC): If someone says “that ESC is shot,” they mean it’s dead/broken. In general, describing any component as “shot” means it’s no longer functioning properly (likely needs replacement). For example, “After that crash my VTX is shot” = the video transmitter is not working now.
Simulator (Sim): An FPV drone flight simulator – software that lets you practice flying in a virtual environment. Popular sims include Liftoff, VelociDrone, DRL Simulator, and FPVFreerider. New pilots are strongly encouraged to practice in a sim because it allows you to crash and reset instantly, improving your skills without breaking real parts. When someone says “I’ve been simming a lot,” it means they’re logging hours in the simulator to hone their flying. Many sims can also help pilots get used to their transmitter, as you can often use your actual radio with the sim.
Smart Audio (SA): A protocol developed by Team BlackSheep that allows your flight controller to control your VTX (video transmitter) settings. With SmartAudio, you can change your video channel, band, and power level through your OSD menu or radio rather than pressing the button on the VTX. Most TBS Unify VTXs use SmartAudio. ImmersionRC’s Tramp protocol is similar (for other VTX brands). To use it, you connect the VTX’s control pin to a UART TX on the FC and configure it in Betaflight.
SmartPort: A telemetry protocol by FrSky used to send data from the flight controller back to your FrSky transmitter. By connecting the flight controller’s telemetry output (typically a UART TX) to a receiver’s SmartPort, you can get info like battery voltage, GPS data, etc., displayed on your radio or used for audible alerts. Betaflight supports SmartPort telemetry, but note that on F4 FCs you often have to soft-invert or use a dedicated pad for it.
Snap Roll: A quick 360° roll. In FPV terms, a snap roll just means a very fast roll maneuver. You’ll hear it used more in RC airplane context (where a “snap roll” is a specific aerobatic maneuver causing a rapid autorotation). In drone freestyle, one might say “he snap-rolled to the left and dove the building” meaning a very fast roll. High rates allow snap rolls.
Spacer: A small piece of plastic/metal that separates components without threading. In a drone stack, a plastic spacer might be used between the FC and ESC boards if they’re not connected by a pin header, to avoid them touching. It’s like a standoff (which is threaded) but just a tube or block for separation. In frame assembly, sometimes spacers fill gaps or reinforce areas (though usually we use standoffs).
Stack (Flight Stack): The tower of circuit boards in a quadcopter (usually mounted in the center of the frame). A typical stack has the 4-in-1 ESC at the bottom and the FC on top, connected by a harness or pin header. Some builds also include a VTX or a separate PDB in the stack. The stack is held together by long screws with metal or nylon standoffs between boards. When someone says “30×30 stack” or “20×20 stack,” they refer to the spacing of the mounting holes in millimeters.
Standoff: A threaded spacer that separates parts of the frame or stack. Standoffs are used at the corners of the frame to connect the top plate to the bottom plate (often aluminum standoffs), and smaller nylon standoffs are used to space out boards in the stack. For example, a flight controller might be secured with M3 nylon standoffs above the ESC. When you buy a frame, it comes with a set of standoffs. Keep a few spare; they can bend or snap in really hard crashes.
Stator: The stationary part of a brushless motor – the core with the electromagnetic coils. In FPV motors, stator size largely determines the motor’s torque and power handling. We describe motors by stator width and height (e.g., 2306 = 23 mm width, 6 mm height stator). A larger stator (either wider or taller) generally means more torque and the ability to swing larger props or handle higher voltage. “Stator” is also used when talking about motor performance: e.g., “A 2208 stator will have more low-end torque than a 2206”. The rotating part of the motor is the bell (with magnets).
Stick Ends: The end caps or tips of the transmitter gimbals (sticks). They can often be replaced or adjusted. Some pilots prefer “pincher” stick ends that are longer and more grippy for pinching between fingers, while “thumbers” might prefer wider, flatter stick ends. Companies make aftermarket stick ends in different styles (crown, teardrop, etc.) to suit pilot preference. Good stick ends can improve the feel and reduce finger slipping during sweaty sessions.
Stick Input: Refers to moving the transmitter sticks. For example, “give a little stick input” means move the sticks slightly. In blackbox logs or tuning, you might hear “at mid throttle, small stick inputs caused oscillation.” Essentially it’s just shorthand for your control movements. When troubleshooting a quad’s behavior, it’s useful to consider whether an issue happens only during stick input (propwash on moves) or even when you’re not giving input (oscillation at hover).
Sticks (on a radio): The two joystick controls on the radio transmitter. FPV pilots often talk about “stick feel” (how the quad responds to stick movements) or being “smooth on the sticks” (making gentle, precise movements rather than jerky ones). Mode 2 radios have a left stick (throttle/yaw) and right stick (pitch/roll). Some pilots practice on simulators to develop muscle memory on the sticks. If someone says “I’m mode 2, I fly thumbs on the sticks,” that describes their control style.
Sub250: Refers to drones that are under 250 grams of takeoff weight (including battery). This 250g cutoff is significant because many countries’ drone regulations heavily reduce requirements for drones under 250g (no registration needed, etc.). Pilots often build ultra-light setups to hit this target. A “Sub250” quad might be a 4″ long-range cruiser or a whoop that’s just carefully built to be below the limit. Hitting under 250g with a GoPro onboard is challenging, but some have done it (naked GoPros, 4S Li-Ion, etc.).
Super Rate: In Betaflight’s older rate system, Super Rate was a parameter that increased rotation speed at the stick extremes without affecting center sensitivity. It has since been simplified into the “rates” system (with RC Rate, Super Rate, Expo in Betaflight). Nowadays you just adjust the curve via the graph or numbers, but older discussions of tuning might mention super rate. Essentially, a higher super rate gave a snappier quad at full stick.
Switches: The toggle switches or momentary buttons on an RC transmitter that you can assign to various functions. For example, you might have Arm on SG switch, Beeper on SD switch, Flight Mode on SB switch, etc. Pilots will often say “make sure your arm switch is in the disarmed position before plugging in” or “I hit the turtle mode switch.” It’s important to remember which function you assign to which switch on your radio to avoid confusion while flying.

T

TAER (TAER1234): A common channel order mapping for transmitters/receivers: Throttle, Aileron, Elevator, Rudder. Different radio brands default to different orders (Spektrum is usually TAER, FrSky is AETR by default, etc.). In Betaflight Configurator, you set the channel map to match your radio. If your controls are mixed up (e.g., throttle moves the wrong axis in configurator), check the channel map. Many pilots just use TAER for simplicity across models.
Telemetry: Data transmitted back from the drone to the transmitter (or a ground station). This can include battery voltage, GPS coordinates, RSSI, etc.. Modern receivers (Crossfire, FrSky with SmartPort, ELRS) can send telemetry. On your radio you might have voice alerts like “RSSI low” or see battery voltage on the screen – that’s telemetry. In FPV, some telemetry (like voltage, current) is also shown on the OSD via the FC, but having it on the radio is a nice backup (and for long range, a must, so you know if it’s time to turn back even if video OSD is hard to read).
Thrust: The force generated by the drone’s propellers/motors, usually measured in grams or Newtons. In practice, thrust is what makes the drone accelerate up. A typical 5″ quad might have a thrust-to-weight ratio of around 8:1 (meaning total thrust could be 8 times its weight). More thrust means more acceleration and ability to carry weight. Bench tests of motors often list thrust at certain throttle levels with specific props. If someone says “this setup makes 1500g of thrust per motor,” you know it’s a beast (since 1500g x 4 = 6000g of thrust, on a ~700g quad that’s ~8.5:1!).
Throttle: The control for motor power (usually the left stick up/down in Mode 2). Increasing throttle makes the drone climb or go faster, lowering throttle makes it descend or slow down. Throttle management is one of the key skills in FPV – for smooth flying, you don’t want to constantly jolt the throttle. Also, many tricks involve chopping throttle (going to zero) to let the quad spin freely, then catching it by raising throttle again. Beginners often have a tendency to overcorrect throttle; practice helps. Also note that in Acro mode, throttle is the only stick that doesn’t auto-center – it’s up to you to manage altitude.
Throttle Cut: A safety feature or function on some radios that immediately sets throttle output to zero (regardless of stick position). It’s used as an extra safety when handling the quad or if you lose control, but in FPV quads we more commonly just rely on arming/disarming rather than throttle hold. Throttle cut is more of an RC plane feature (to ensure motor is off before hand launching or after landing).
Tiny Whoop: A class of micro quads that are small (typically 65mm to 75mm wheelbase) and have ducted prop guards. The term comes from the original “Tiny Whoop” craze (indoor brushed quads converted to FPV). Tiny whoops are great for indoor flying and close-proximity fun. They usually run on 1S or 2S LiPo and are durable (can “bounce” off walls). Their ducts add safety and stability at the cost of some efficiency. Many beginners start with a tiny whoop to learn orientation and get the hang of FPV, since crashing one usually isn’t a big deal.
Toothpick: A type of small, ultra-lightweight quadcopter without ducts, usually running 2.5″ to 4″ props, known for having very skinny arms (like a toothpick). The term was popularized by FPV pilot KababFPV. Toothpicks aim to have as low weight as possible (often under 100g without battery) but still be powerful and agile. They use AIO (all-in-one) flight controllers, tiny motors, and often 2S-4S small batteries. A toothpick can fly more like a larger quad but in a smaller space and with quieter noise, making it great for backyard freestyling.
Tracer: A 2.4 GHz low-latency RC control system created by TBS (Team BlackSheep). It’s like Crossfire’s little brother – focusing on very fast response for racing (up to ~250 Hz update rate) at the expense of some range. Tracer uses the same CRSF protocol and even the same Crossfire module bay, but works on 2.4 GHz. It competed with FrSky’s 2.4 GHz systems and now ExpressLRS. While not as popular as Crossfire, some pilots who race liked Tracer for its consistent low latency on the track.
Transmitter (TX): In FPV, usually refers to your radio transmitter – the controller you hold that sends commands to the receiver on the drone. (It can also mean a transmitting device in general, like VTX for video transmitter, but we usually specify VTX for that.) Your transmitter is basically your “remote control.” Common transmitters include FrSky Taranis, Radiomaster TX16S, Jumper T-Pro, DJI FPV controller, etc. A good transmitter has reliable gimbals and a protocol/module that works with your receiver. TX is also the abbreviation for “transmit” or a transmitter in wiring diagrams (e.g., a flight controller UART TX pad).
Tri-Blade Prop: A propeller with three blades. Most FPV quad props are tri-blades because they offer a great balance of thrust, efficiency, and smoothness. Two-blade props (bi-blades) can give more top speed and slightly less drag at high RPM (so some racers use them), but they often suffer in stability and low-end torque compared to tri-blades, especially for freestyle where you want better control in throws. There are also quad-blade props (for whoops, to increase thrust in tiny ducted fans) and even hex-blade, but tri-blades are the standard for 5″ quads.
Tricopter: A drone with three motors, typically in a Y configuration (two front, one rear). The rear motor on a tricopter is usually mounted on a servo to tilt for yaw control (since with only three props, you can’t yaw by differential torque alone effectively). Tricopters were experimented with in the early days of multirotors; they fly a bit differently and have the mechanical complexity of that servo. Today, tricopters are uncommon in FPV due to the success of quadcopters, but there is a small community that still enjoys them for smooth flying characteristics.
Turtle Mode (Flip Over After Crash): A mode that allows a crashed quad that’s upside down to flip itself upright by reversing the motors. Often called “flip over after crash” in Betaflight, it’s nicknamed turtle mode because it’s like a flipped-over turtle trying to right itself. When activated (usually via a switch), the pilot can give small stick inputs and the flight controller will spin two motors in reverse to try and flip the quad. It only works if the quad isn’t too stuck. It’s extremely handy in races (so you don’t have to walk to retrieve a minor crash) and in freestyle if you crash in a hard-to-reach spot. Just be careful not to burn out ESCs/motors if the props are jammed (if it doesn’t flip in a second or two, disarm). Also, turtle mode should be used briefly – disarm immediately once upright.

U

U.FL Connector: A tiny coax antenna connector commonly used on small VTXs and receivers for attaching the antenna pigtail. U.FL connectors are very light but somewhat fragile – a hard crash can pop them off or even rip the connector from the board. Many micro receivers (like SPI receivers on whoops) and some nano VTX boards use U.FL because of its small size. When assembling or repairing, ensure the U.FL is fully seated (you should feel a tiny “click”) and consider securing it with a bit of silicone or tape if appropriate.
UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter): A serial communication port found on flight controllers used to connect peripherals like receivers, VTX control, GPS modules, etc.. Flight controllers typically have several UARTs labeled UART1, UART2, etc., each with a TX and RX pin. For example, you might wire your SBUS receiver to UART2 RX, your SmartAudio VTX line to UART3 TX, and a GPS module to UART4 RX/TX. In Betaflight, you then enable the corresponding UART for the function (Serial RX for the receiver, Peripherals -> VTX SA for SmartAudio, GPS for the GPS). A common troubleshooting step is ensuring you’ve got the right UART configured for a device.
Ultra Light: In FPV context, usually refers to a very lightweight build, often under 250g including battery (to hit that legal mark). Ultralight quads trade off some power and wind-resistance for longer flight time and quieter operation. For instance, an ultralight 5″ might be around 200g dry (versus 300-400g for a typical 5″). They can have excellent flight times and low disk loading (feels floaty), but might struggle in wind or carry less momentum for certain tricks. Builders achieve ultralights by using minimal frames, smaller motors (like 2004 or 1806 on a 5″), and 4S Li-Ion packs.
UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle): A general term for any unmanned flying craft – essentially a “drone.” In hobby use, we say drone, quad, plane, etc., more often. UAV is more of a formal/technical term (you’ll see it in regulations or industry documents). Similarly UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) refers to the vehicle plus its control system (drone + radio + ground station). If you’re reading legal text: “Small UAS under 250g” – that’s the same as saying small drones under 250g.

V

VTX (Video Transmitter): The device on the drone that sends the live video feed from the FPV camera to your goggles. In analog systems, a VTX broadcasts an analog signal on a specific frequency (channel) in the 5.8 GHz band. Key specs of a VTX include its output power (25mW, 200mW, 800mW, etc.), number of channels, and input voltage range. In digital FPV (like DJI or Walksnail), the “VTX” is more complex – often a module that encodes and transmits digital video. But we still often call it the VTX (or air unit). You must ensure your VTX is set to a legal frequency/power for your country. Also, never power a VTX without an antenna – you can damage it.
VRX (Video Receiver): Usually refers to the module or device that receives the video signal from the drone. For analog, this is often a module in your goggles (like RapidFire, TBS Fusion) or a ground station receiver. VRX modules are often diversity (two antennas) for better reception. For digital, the VRX might be built into the goggles (DJI goggles have internal digital receiver) or an external module (HDZero has a separate receiver module for some goggles). The VRX outputs video to your goggles screens. Some pilots use a ground station VRX and then video-out to goggles or a display, especially if using high-gain directional antennas on tripods for long range.
VCC: A label for a positive voltage input on a circuit (common collector voltage, essentially the main voltage input). On flight controllers, VCC often denotes the battery input voltage rail. For example, if you see a pad labeled “VCC” on an FC or PDB, it likely is directly connected to the battery. You might solder your VTX or camera power to VCC if they can accept full battery voltage (or VBAT). Beginners sometimes confuse 5V pads with VCC pads – connecting a device to VCC that only wants 5V can release that “magic smoke.” Always double-check whether VCC = battery voltage on your board (it usually is).
VTX Table: In Betaflight, a configuration table that defines the available channels and power levels for SmartAudio/Tramp VTX control. When you set up SmartAudio or Tramp, sometimes you need to load a VTX Table so Betaflight knows the VTX’s capabilities (like which power levels correspond to 25, 100, 200 mW etc.). This is done either through the Betaflight Configurator (which has presets for common VTXs) or CLI. If your OSD VTX power control shows weird values or doesn’t work, you might need to configure the VTX table for your specific VTX model.
VTX Pit Mode: A mode on many VTXs where the output power is extremely low (like 0.1 mW) or off, so that you don’t interfere with other pilots when you plug in. In “pit mode,” your quad’s video won’t reach far – maybe just a few meters. It’s used at races: you plug in your quad in the pits and it stays in pit mode (not knocking anyone’s feed out), then when it’s your turn to fly, you toggle to normal power. Pit mode is usually activated by holding a button on the VTX at startup or via SmartAudio/Tramp commands. Check your VTX manual for how to use pit mode.
VTOL: Stands for Vertical Take-Off and Landing. In the drone world, a VTOL aircraft is one that can take off and hover like a multirotor, but also fly efficiently like an airplane. Some fixed-wing FPV planes have motors that tilt or separate lift motors to achieve VTOL. While not common in freestyle, VTOL is a big topic in UAV research and some hobbyists experiment with VTOL craft. It’s the concept behind things like the V-22 Osprey or the Harrier jet in full-scale aviation. For FPV, you might see VTOL foam planes where they can transition mid-air from hover to forward flight.

W

Walksnail: A brand associated with the Avatar digital FPV system. Walksnail (in partnership with Fat Shark) released the Avatar HD system, which is an HD digital FPV link similar to DJI. If someone says “I’m flying Walksnail,” it means they’re using that HD system (camera/VTX and goggles or module). It offers 1080p/720p video with competitive latency and is an alternative to DJI’s system. Walksnail is relatively new (circa 2022) but has been gaining traction, and firmware updates continue to improve it.
Whoop: Shorthand for Tiny Whoop (see Tiny Whoop in T). Often used to describe any small, ducted micro drone. Ex: “I took my whoop around the house.” There’s also the verb form: whooping can mean flying a whoop: “We were whooping in the office during lunch.” The term originated from the Tiny Whoop craze but now is generic for those little ducted quads.
Wing: Refers to an FPV fixed-wing aircraft (plane). FPV wings (usually flying wing designs or small airplanes) are another branch of FPV flying. Wings can cover long distances more efficiently than multirotors and are often used for long range or just for fun proximity sloping. If an FPV pilot says they are “taking a wing out,” it means an FPV airplane, not a quad. They require different skills (you control throttle plus plane surfaces, they glide, can stall, etc.). Many FPV pilots eventually try a wing or two for the experience.

X

XT30 / XT60 / XT90: Standard battery connectors used in FPV. XT30 (small yellow connector) is used for smaller drones (typically 3″ props and below, or tiny 4S packs). XT60 (the most common, medium yellow connector) is used on most 5″ drones with 4S or 6S batteries. XT90 (larger yellow connector) is used for very high-power setups or big batteries (e.g., some 12S rigs, heavy lifters). The number roughly corresponds to the current rating and size. Always ensure your battery connector matches your drone’s pigtail connector type. These connectors are polarized and only connect one way. Also, XT90 has an anti-spark version (XT90-S) to avoid big sparks when plugging in high-voltage packs.
X-Frame: A type of frame layout for a quadcopter where, from a top view, the arms are symmetrically spaced like an “X”. True X frames have all four arms 90° apart, motor-to-motor distances equal in both axes. X-frames are popular for freestyle because of their balanced inertia. Other layouts include stretch X (longer front-back), squash X (wider side-to-side), H-frame (with a wider body), and deadcat (as described earlier). When someone says “true X,” they mean the motors are in a perfect square orientation.

Y

Yaw: The axis of rotation where the quad turns left or right around its vertical axis (like a compass direction change). It’s controlled by the left stick left/right on a Mode 2 transmitter. Yawing does not change the direction the quad is moving (if you yaw in place, the quad spins on center). Coordinating yaw with roll can result in smooth banking turns. For tricks, yaw spins (like continuous 360 yaw spins while doing something else) are a thing, but pure yaw spins can make for dizzy footage if overused. Yaw is sometimes called “rudder” in plane terminology.
Yaw Washout: A term describing when a drone loses stability momentarily on the yaw axis at extreme angles or maneuvers. For example, coming out of a hard dive, some quads yaw a bit unexpectedly due to an aerodynamic stall of one side (older Betaflight had a “yaw washout” fix for this). It’s a bit technical, but if you see your quad suddenly yawing when recovering from flips, it could be this effect. Newer firmwares handle it better.

Z

Zero Throttle: Phrase indicating the throttle stick is fully down (idle). Often used when describing maneuvers: “I go zero throttle at the top of the loop so the quad can free-fall.” Zero throttle means the motors are spinning at their minimum idle speed (if armed) just to keep the quad stabilized, but essentially no thrust. On a properly configured quad, you’ll still have control at zero throttle (thanks to Air Mode, if enabled). Always disarm before touching your quad – a quad at zero throttle is still armed and can spin up if you bump a stick.
Zip Tie (Cable Tie): A plastic strap used to secure components or wires on your build. For instance, antennas are often zip-tied to frame arms or posts (and heat-shrink for strain relief). Zip ties are also used to mount battery pads, secure an HD camera, etc. They’re cheap and useful, and often you cut them off and replace as you change things. Pro tip: if a zip tie is slightly loose (like antenna wobbles), you can tighten it by heating it gently or adding a bit of tape inside for friction. Zip ties have saved many a loose component from flopping around mid-flight!

General FPV Drone Terms

5-inch quad: Refers to a common class of FPV racing/freestyle drone that uses 5-inch propellers. A 5-inch quad (often called a “mini quad”) is the standard size for high-performance FPV drones, offering a good balance of power and agility for freestyle flying and racing.
Cinewhoop: A small ducted drone designed for capturing smooth cinematic footage. Cinewhoops have propeller guards (ducts) and carry action cameras; they are typically heavier and less powerful than freestyle quads, favoring stability for slow, close-up shots.
Cinelifter: A larger FPV drone built to carry heavy professional cinema cameras (like a RED or DSLR). Cinelifters often use 6-inch or bigger props and sometimes 8 motors (X8 configuration) to provide the thrust needed for heavy camera gear.
Toothpick: An ultra-light micro quad class, usually 2.5–3 inch prop size. Toothpick quads have very thin (toothpick-like) arms and all-in-one (AIO) flight controllers. They are extremely light and agile.
Tiny Whoop (Whoop): A class of very small micro drones (often 65mm frame size) with ducted propellers. Tiny whoops are typically 1S or 2S powered, use 1–2 inch props, and are great for beginners and indoor flying due to their durability and safe, guarded prop design. “Whoop” is slang for any drone of this class, originally named after the Tiny Whoop™ micro quad.
Quadcopter (Quad): A drone with four motors/propellers. In FPV context, “quad” almost always means a four-motor FPV drone. (Variants like tricopters, hexacopters, etc. exist but are less common in FPV.)
Drone: Generally, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can be remote-controlled or fly autonomously. In casual FPV use, “drone” and “quad” are often used interchangeably, though quad emphasizes the four-motor FPV hobby drones.
Freestyle: A style of FPV flying focused on acrobatic tricks and flow rather than racing. Freestyle drones or frames are built for maneuverability and strength to handle tricks. Pilots aim for smooth, expressive flight lines (often called “flow” in freestyle).
Racing drone: An FPV drone optimized for speed and agility on race courses. Racing quads are typically very lightweight, with high-throttle power and quick turning ability, sacrificing some stability for pure performance in competitions.
Line of Sight (LOS): Flying a drone by watching it directly, without FPV goggles. In regulations, LOS means the pilot or a spotter can see the aircraft with unaided vision. (FPV flights technically require a visual observer to maintain LOS in many jurisdictions.)
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS): Flying a drone farther than you can see it. FPV flights are essentially BVLOS from the pilot’s perspective, though having a spotter keeps it within legal line-of-sight. BVLOS operations usually require special waivers or equipment due to safety regulations.
First Person View (FPV): The style of drone flying where the pilot uses a live video feed from an onboard camera, as if seeing from the drone’s cockpit. In the FPV hobby, it refers to any setup with a video link that lets you pilot via goggles or screen, giving a “first person” perspective.

Whoop-Specific Terms and Slang

Tiny Whoop: (See Tiny Whoop above in general terms.) In whoop community contexts, often simply called a “whoop”. These are typically 1S micro quads with ducted props, used for indoor flying and races like IGOW.
IGOW (International Game of Whoop): A worldwide FPV contest patterned after the game HORSE/SKATE, where pilots must perform weekly trick challenges with tiny whoops. It’s a fun, inclusive competition to improve skills; pilots who fail a challenge get a letter (I-G-O-W) and “whoop-out” (are eliminated) if they spell IGOW.
Brushed vs. Brushless: Tiny whoops originally used brushed motors (older style DC motors with brushes). Brushed whoop motors are cheap and small but wear out faster. Brushless whoop motors (modern tiny whoops) have no brushes and use permanent magnets, offering better power, efficiency, and durability. Today most performance whoops are brushless.
PH2.0 connector: A tiny 2.0 mm-pitch battery plug commonly used on 1S whoop LiPos (also called PowerWhoop connector). It’s simple and lightweight but has high resistance; PH2.0 connectors often suffer from voltage drop (sag) and the pins can wear out over time.
BT2.0 connector: A 1S battery connector introduced by BetaFPV to improve on PH2.0. BT2.0 uses a small barrel plug (1.0 mm banana pins) for lower electrical resistance, giving better power delivery and less voltage sag. It was a proprietary BetaFPV design (initially only on their batteries) meant to reduce the throttling and sag issues of PH2.0.
GNB27 connector: A 1S micro battery connector by Gaoneng (GNB) that also improved upon PH2.0. GNB27 uses sturdy pins for higher current draw. Its performance is similar to BT2.0 and A30 connectors, though it’s slightly heavier and can be a bit tough to disconnect. GNB27 was essentially the predecessor to the A30 connector.
A30 connector: A new 1S battery connector from GNB (Gaoneng), succeeding the GNB27. The A30 has low resistance and robust design like BT2.0, and it’s cross-compatible with BT2.0 (an A30 battery can plug into a BT2.0 pigtail). It weighs about the same as BT2.0 and is expected to become a common standard (e.g. the Mobula6 2024 micro drone comes with A30 by default)
Whoop Gates: Small gates or hoops used in tiny whoop race courses. These can be as simple as little plastic hoops or LED-lit gates that whoop pilots try to fly through in races (e.g. in living-room race tracks or official Tiny Whoop races). Crashing is low-risk due to the whoop’s small size.
Project Mockingbird: A popular community-made tuning project for tiny whoops. It provides custom Betaflight settings (often via CLI dump) to make whoops fly smoother and more controllable, especially in Angle Mode. Project Mockingbird tunes are famous for improving tiny whoop handling for indoor freestyle and racing.
Angle Mode: A self-leveling flight mode often used on whoops for easy indoor flying. In Angle Mode the quad will auto-level and limit its tilt angle, so it can’t flip over. This mode is beginner-friendly (also called Stabilized mode), and many tiny whoop pilots use it in tight indoor spaces.
Acro Mode: The opposite of Angle mode – full manual control with no self-leveling (also known as Rate Mode). Tiny whoops can be flown in Acro Mode for freestyle, allowing flips and rolls. It’s harder to learn, but gives the pilot complete control. Many whoop tricks in IGOW are done in Acro.
Turtle Mode (Flip Over After Crash): A feature on BetaFlight-equipped whoops that lets you flip a crashed drone upright. In turtle mode, the motors reverse spin so the whoop can right itself if it’s upside down on the floor. This is very useful in whoop racing – you can recover from a crash without walking over to pick up the drone.
Whoop (verb): Slang used by pilots to mean flying a tiny whoop. Example: “Let’s go whooping in the house.” Because whoops are safe and small, people whoop around in offices, homes, etc., for fun. The term highlights the casual, fun nature of flying these micro drones.

Popular FPV Brands and Product Nicknames

Team BlackSheep (TBS): A major FPV brand known for long-range RC systems and gear. TBS created the Crossfire and Tracer radio link systems, which are very popular for their range and reliability. TBS also produces frames, video transmitters (Unify Pro VTX), etc.
Crossfire (CRSF): TBS Crossfire – a 900 MHz long-range radio control system widely used in FPV. It offers excellent range and penetration, and uses the CRSF protocol. Crossfire is often used to refer to the whole system (module and receiver) that pilots install for control link.
Tracer: A 2.4 GHz radio control system by TBS. Tracer is similar to Crossfire but on 2.4 GHz for lower latency at short/mid range. It’s often compared to ImmersionRC Ghost; pilots choose Tracer for its fast response in racing scenarios.
ImmersionRC Ghost: A 2.4 GHz long-range radio control system by ImmersionRC. Ghost is another low-latency control link, competing with TBS Tracer. It’s known for being fast and reliable, and like Crossfire/ELRS, it’s one of the protocol options for radios.
ExpressLRS (ELRS): An open-source radio control link protocol that has become extremely popular due to its performance and low cost. ELRS can run on 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz hardware, and it’s known for long range, excellent penetration, and high refresh rates. Many micro drones now come with ELRS receivers.
FrSky: A company and protocol name associated with a common RC system used in earlier FPV drones. FrSky (pronounced “fry-sky”) makes transmitters and receivers (like the XM+ or R-XSR) commonly found in bind-and-fly quads. Their protocol (ACCST/ACCESS, often just called “FrSky”) operates on 2.4 GHz.
Spektrum: A major RC brand known for radios and the DSMX protocol. Spektrum radios (often used in the RC plane world) were also used by some FPV pilots, especially with tiny whoops and Blade drones that bind to Spektrum’s DSM/DSMX receivers. DSMX is Spektrum’s 2.4 GHz protocol similar in function to FrSky.
FlySky: A budget RC radio brand/protocol. FlySky transmitters and receivers (using the AFHDS protocol) are lower-cost alternatives often seen in beginner kits. While not as feature-rich as FrSky or ELRS, FlySky gained popularity for being affordable for newcomers.
DJI: A dominant drone manufacturer that entered the FPV scene with the DJI HD FPV system. DJI FPV System usually refers to their digital FPV video transmission (Air Unit/Caddx Vista and DJI FPV Goggles) which transmits low-latency 720p video. DJI also released the DJI FPV Drone and DJI Avata cinewhoop, bringing HD FPV to a wider audience.
Walksnail (Avatar): A brand/division of Caddx, known for the Walksnail Avatar HD FPV system. Walksnail partnered with Fat Shark to make the Shark Byte/Dominator HD system, and later produced their own Avatar HD goggles. When pilots say “Avatar system” or “Walksnail”, they mean this HD digital FPV video link (an alternative to DJI and HDZero).
Fat Shark: A legendary FPV goggle brand. Fat Shark’s slim goggles (Dominators, HDO, etc.) were the standard for analog FPV for years. Fat Shark also collaborated on the Shark Byte digital system (which evolved into HDZero/Walksnail). Even with new competitors, “Fat Shark” is almost synonymous with FPV goggles among older pilots.
Orqa: An FPV goggle maker known for the Orqa FPV.One goggles. Orqa goggles are high-quality with OLED screens and module bays, competing with Fat Shark for analog users. Orqa also developed their own digital FPV system (Orqa FPV.Connect) and a simulator (FPV.Skydive).
HDZero: A brand and system for digital FPV video created by Divimath. HDZero (formerly Shark Byte) offers HD digital video with extremely low latency (near analog levels). It’s a open ecosystem with cameras, VTXs, and dedicated HDZero goggles focused on racing and freestyle without the latency penalty of other HD systems.
BetaFPV: A popular FPV manufacturer known for micro drones and components. BetaFPV produces the Meteor series of whoops (Meteor65, etc.), the Cetus RTF kits, and components like ELRS receivers and the BT2.0 connector. They cater to the whoop and micro community with innovative 1S batteries and tiny drone tech.
NewBeeDrone (NBD): A brand specializing in tiny whoops and micro FPV. NewBeeDrone is known for products like the BeeBrain flight controllers, Cockroach whoop frames, Gold motors, and Nitro Nectar batteries. They also introduced the NBD A30 connector in collaboration with Gaoneng. NBD emphasizes a polished micro FPV experience (their ready-to-fly AcroBee whoops, for example).
Happymodel: A budget-friendly FPV brand behind some famous micro drones. Happymodel’s Mobula series (Mobula6, Mobula7) are widely used tiny whoops, and they also contribute to open-source projects (they were early adopters of ExpressLRS in receivers and radios). If someone mentions a “Mobula”, they’re talking about a Happymodel micro drone.
iFlight: A major FPV brand known for quality bind-and-fly drones and parts. The Nazgul is iFlight’s popular 5″ freestyle quad (often recommended to beginners), and they sell frames (XL series, Chimera long-range, etc.), electronics, and motors. iFlight’s products are well-regarded for “out of the box” performance.
EMAX: A well-known FPV brand, especially for beginner gear. EMAX’s TinyHawk series of micro quads have trained many new pilots. They also make motors (the RS series), ESCs, and larger BNF drones (Hawk 5, etc.). EMAX TinyHawk and Babyhawk are often first drones for people entering FPV.
Rotor Riot: An FPV brand and community stemming from the Rotor Riot YouTube show. They sell their own frames (Flow, CL1, etc.), BNF drones, and accessories. A Rotor Riot edition of a product usually means it’s branded or tuned in collaboration with their team. Rotor Riot is also known for popularizing freestyle tricks via their content.
KISS: Not just a brand but also a flight controller system by Flyduino. KISS (Keep It Super Simple) refers to proprietary flight controllers and ESCs and their firmware. Pilots often refer to running “KISS” vs “Betaflight” – KISS hardware and firmware have a loyal following for a particular flight feel. (There is also KISS Ultra and FETtec which evolved from this).
GoPro (Naked GoPro): GoPro cameras are the go-to HD cams mounted on FPV drones for filming. Naked GoPro means a GoPro camera that has been stripped down to reduce weight (removing the case, battery, etc.). Pilots use naked GoPros on small cinewhoops or whoops to get high-quality footage without the weight penalty of a full GoPro.
ReelSteady: A video stabilization software popular in the FPV community. ReelSteady (now part of GoPro’s software) takes GoPro footage and gyro data to stabilize it, resulting in buttery smooth cinematic clips. Pilots mention “ReelSteady” when talking about post-processing shaky footage.

FPV Slang and Shorthand

Send it: Slang for confidently going for a maneuver or taking off at full throttle with no hesitation. To “send it” means to launch or attempt something aggressively. (E.g. “That gap looks tight, but I’m gonna send it!”) In FPV usage, it often implies taking off quickly or performing a risky trick
Rip / Ripping packs: Slang for flying FPV, especially in a fun, aggressive way. A “pack” is a battery pack, so “ripping a few packs” means flying a few batteries worth of FPV. Example: “After work I went to the field and ripped some packs.”
Pack: Shorthand for an FPV drone’s battery (since LiPo batteries are made of “packs” of cells). “Bring a few extra packs” simply means bring extra batteries. Also used in count: “I flew 10 packs today”.
Bando: An abandoned building or structure which is a playground for freestyle pilots. Bando spots are popular because they have lots of obstacles (broken windows, beams, rooms) to fly through and no people around. Flying a bando is both exciting and risky (crashes are common in the rubble).
Magic Smoke: A joking term for the smoke that comes out when an electronic component fries. If you wire something wrong or short a circuit, you “let the magic smoke out.” In context: “I accidentally shorted my ESC and saw the magic smoke.” Once the magic smoke is out, the component is usually dead.
Brownout: A momentary loss of power to the flight controller or receiver, causing the quad to reboot in mid-flight. A brownout often happens if voltage drops too low (e.g., an old battery causing a voltage sag, or a loose connector). The quad will fall or fail-safe when this happens. Example: “I hit the throttle and my quad browned out – likely a bad XT60 solder joint.”
Failsafe (verb): In slang, to failsafe means the quad has lost radio signal and triggered its fail-safe protocol (often causing it to drop or disarm). Pilots might say “My quad failsafed at the far end of the field,” meaning it lost connection and crashed.
Flip out / Turtle: As a verb, “turtle” means using Turtle Mode (Flip Over After Crash) to flip the quad upright. Pilots might say “Just turtle out of that crash!” meaning activate turtle mode to right the drone.
Disarm: To shut off the motors (often done via a switch on the radio). In FPV talk, “disarm, disarm!” is said when a pilot needs to immediately cut power (for safety or after a crash). Arming is enabling the motors. Example: “Don’t forget to disarm when you crash to avoid burning a motor.”
Props: Short for propellers. Common usages: “props out” (to reverse the motor directions such that props spin outward from the front, which can help with flight handling), or “swap your props” (replace propellers after breaking them).
Stick time: Slang for practice time flying. The “sticks” refer to the radio gimbal sticks; so more stick time means more flight practice. e.g. “Simulator in winter gives you a lot of stick time.”
Locked-in: Describes a drone that is tuned so well that it feels solid and controllable, with no oscillations or unwanted behaviors. Pilots strive for a “locked-in” feel where the quad exactly follows stick inputs. Example: “After tuning PIDs, my quad feels totally locked-in.”
Prop wash: The turbulent air caused by the drone’s own props, which can make the quad shake when flying through it (especially during descents). In conversation, “prop wash issues” refer to that oscillation the quad gets when descending into its disturbed air. Pilots tune their PIDs to mitigate prop wash.
Jello: Slang for wobbly, jelly-like distortion in camera video, usually from vibrations (gyro jitters or loose props). If someone says their footage has “jello,” it means there’s a visible wavy shake (often due to high-frequency vibrations or rolling shutter effect). Soft-mounting the camera or balancing props can help remove jello.
Duck: Slang in whoop community meaning to lower your head – a joke that when your drone is coming at you in FPV, you duck even though you’re wearing goggles and the quad is small. Often said if a whoop flies close to people’s heads: “That made me duck, even though it’s tiny!” (A light-hearted term; not a technical concept, but you’ll hear it in FPV meetups.)

Hardware Components & Technical Terms

Flight Controller (FC): A 5-in-1 flight controller (FC) is the brain of your whoop. It combines all the essential electronics onto a single compact board, making your build lighter, cleaner, and easier to manage. By packing everything into one unit, it controls how the drone flies, communicates with your radio, powers your motors, transmits video, and overlays critical flight info—all from a tiny board that fits in the palm of your hand.
Electronic Speed Controller (ESC): These are the circuits that tell each motor how fast to spin and in which direction. A whoop has four motors, so the flight controller includes four ESCs—one for each. They respond to the flight controller’s commands and adjust motor speed in real time to keep the drone stable. Most modern ESCs also support features like DShot for smooth control and turtle mode, which lets you flip the drone upright if it crashes upside down.
Motor: Motors are what spin the props and lift your whoop into the air.
Prop / Propeller: TPropellers—often called props—are the small blades that generate thrust by pushing air to make your whoop fly. They might be tiny, but they have a noticable impact on how your drone feels in the air. Most 65mm whoops use 31mm props, while 75mm whoops use 40mm props.
Frame: The frame is the backbone of a Tiny Whoop—it holds all the components together and gives the drone its shape. Most whoop frames are made from lightweight, flexible plastic (like polypropylene) to keep the weight low while absorbing impacts from crashes. The circular ducts surrounding the propellers not only protect your fingers, furniture, and walls, but also help the drone glance off obstacles instead of getting stuck or damaged.
FPV Camera: The FPV camera is what lets you see from the drone’s point of view. It captures a live video feed and sends it to your goggles through the video transmitter (VTX), so you can fly as if you’re sitting inside the drone. There are two main types of cameras: analog and digital.
VTX (Video Transmitter): The device that sends the FPV video feed from the quad to the pilot’s goggles. Analog VTXs transmit on 5.8 GHz with a certain power (25mW, 200mW, etc.), often switchable. Digital systems (DJI/HDZero/Avatar) also have VTX units that send HD video data. A VTX may support features like SmartAudio – a protocol to change channel/power via the FC .
VRX (Video Receiver): Usually part of the goggles (either built-in or a module) that receives the video signal from the VTX. For analog, goggles often have modular VRX receivers (like RapidFire, TBS Fusion) with dual antennas (diversity) to improve reception. For digital, the VRX is built into the goggles or an add-on module.
Receiver (RX): The radio receiver on the drone that listens for commands from your transmitter (radio controller). The RX is bound to your radio and outputs signals (ELRS, PWM, SBUS, CRSF, etc.) to the flight controller. RX can also refer to a specific UART pin (receiver input) on the FC.
Transmitter (TX): In general FPV usage, “TX” refers to the radio transmitter – the controller in your hands that you use to pilot the drone. It sends your stick and switch inputs over RF to the receiver on the quad. (Technically, the module/chip inside the radio is the actual transmitter.) TX can also generically mean any transmitting device, so sometimes people clarify Radio TX vs Video TX.
Radio Controller / Radio: The handheld device used by the pilot to control the drone (the ones with gimbal sticks and switches). In FPV slang this is sometimes referred to as a “controller”. Common radios are gamepad-style or traditional RC style (e.g. FrSky Taranis, Radiomaster TX16S, TBS Tango 2, etc.). They usually run firmware like OpenTX/EdgeTX and can have external TX modules for different protocols.
Goggles: The headset a pilot wears to see the FPV feed. Goggles can be analog (receiving 5.8 GHz analog video) or digital (paired with a digital system). They often have two small screens (one per eye). Brands include Fat Shark, Orqa, Skyzone for analog, or DJI, Fat Shark/Walksnail, HDZero for digital. Box goggles are a style of FPV goggles with one larger screen (cheaper, bulkier).
Antenna: Used on VTX, VRX, radios, etc., to transmit/receive RF signals. FPV antennas come in different types and polarizations. Linear antennas (simple dipoles) vs Circular Polarized (CP) antennas which can be right-hand (RHCP) or left-hand (LHCP) polarized. It’s important to match polarization between transmitter and receiver (e.g. RHCP on both VTX and VRX). Common antenna form factors: Directional, Patch, Omni , etc.
Polarization (RHCP/LHCP): The orientation of an RF signal’s field. FPV video links often use circular polarization – Right-Hand Circular Polarized or Left-Hand Circular Polarized. An RHCP antenna paired with an RHCP receiver yields the best signal, whereas RHCP to LHCP would greatly reduce range. Pilots choose one standard (most choose RHCP) for all their gear to be consistent.
UART: A port/protocol on flight controllers (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) used for serial communication with peripherals. In an FPV drone, UARTs are the pads where you connect things like the receiver (RX), VTX (for Telemetry/SmartAudio), GPS, etc. You’ll hear “use UART6 for your SmartAudio” for example.
SBUS: A common digital serial protocol for control signals, used by FrSky and Futaba receivers. SBUS carries multiple channel signals over one wire. Many FCs have an “SBUS” pad specifically for hooking up these receivers. (Compare to older PWM or PPM which use separate wires or analog timing.)
CRSF: The Crossfire Serial Protocol, originally by TBS for Crossfire, now also used by ELRS. It’s a fast, low-latency protocol between the receiver and FC (also carries telemetry back). If someone says their FC is set to CRSF protocol, it means the control link (Crossfire/ELRS) is communicating on that protocol.
PWM/PPM: Legacy methods of sending RC signals. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) uses one wire per channel (width of pulse = position). PPM (Pulse Position Modulation) can send multiple channels on one line by encoding positions sequentially. Modern drones mostly use digital protocols like SBUS or CRSF instead, for better speed and less wiring.
BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit): A voltage regulator on the drone that provides a fixed lower voltage to certain electronics. Many 4-in-1 ESCs or FCs have a 5V BEC to power the receiver, camera, etc. Essentially, the BEC steps down battery voltage (which might be 14.8V on a 4S) to a constant 5V or 9V for accessories. Without a BEC, you’d need a separate battery for electronics (hence “eliminator” of that need).
PDB (Power Distribution Board): A board or section of the drone that distributes battery power to all ESCs and components. In older builds, a separate PDB was used (a board with solder pads for battery + and – and regulator circuits). Modern builds often have the PDB integrated into the 4-in-1 ESC or FC board.
Smoke Stopper: A safety device used when testing a new build or repair. It’s essentially an electronic fuse or lightbulb in line with the battery that limits current. If there’s a short circuit, the smoke stopper “trips” (or the bulb lights up) and prevents the full battery current from frying your electronics. In short: it helps prevent letting the magic smoke out in case of a wiring mistake. (Common version is the VIFLY ShortSaver or a DIY automotive bulb rig.)
Blackbox: A logging feature on many flight controllers that records flight data (gyro, PID corrections, RC commands, etc.). The blackbox logs can be saved to onboard flash memory or an SD card. Pilots use Blackbox logs to analyze performance and tune PIDs/filters with tools like Blackbox Explorer. (e.g. “I had a bounce-back on flips, so I checked the blackbox and adjusted my D gain.”)
Firmware: The low-level software running on a device like the flight controller or ESC. In FPV, common flight controller firmware includes Betaflight, EmuFlight, INAV, KISS, etc., and ESC firmware like BLHeli. Firmware is periodically updated or flashed onto the hardware to get new features or fixes.
Betaflight (BF): The most popular open-source flight controller firmware for mini quads. When someone says “my quad is on Betaflight,” they mean the FC is running Betaflight firmware. Betaflight is known for its excellent acro performance and configurability. It’s configured via the Betaflight Configurator app on PC.
Betaflight Configurator: The PC (or smartphone) application used to set up and tune a Betaflight flight controller. It provides a GUI to adjust PIDs, rates, assign switches, configure ports, etc. Pilots connect the FC via USB and use this tool for nearly all settings (CLI is also accessible through it).
CLI (Command Line Interface): A text-based interface in Betaflight (and other firmwares) where you can type commands and parameters directly. The CLI is used for advanced configuration or applying settings dumps. Many manufacturers provide a “CLI dump” – a text file of commands – to configure a quad. Using the CLI requires connecting via Configurator or a UART and typing in commands.
EmuFlight: A fork of Betaflight firmware optimized originally for tiny whoops and certain flight feel differences. EmuFlight took Betaflight and experimented with different filter settings and PID behavior that some pilots preferred (especially for whoops). It’s less common now, but whoop enthusiasts might still use Emu for specific builds.
INAV: A firmware based on Cleanflight, focused on GPS-assisted flight and autonomous features. INAV supports things like GPS navigation, Return-to-Home, loiter, waypoint missions – features needed for long-range cruising or fixed-wings that Betaflight (acro-focused) doesn’t emphasize. If a quad or wing is set up for autonomous flight or aerial mapping, it might be running INAV instead of BF.
BLHeli: The firmware and configuration system for ESCs. There are variants like BLHeli_S (for certain hardware ESCs) and BLHeli_32 (for 32-bit ESCs). Pilots use BLHeli Configurator or BLHeliSuite to reverse motor direction, set beacon tones, or enable features like bidirectional DShot for RPM filtering. If someone says “check your BLHeli settings,” they mean connect your ESCs to the BLHeli tool.
OpenTX / EdgeTX: Open-source operating systems for radio transmitters. OpenTX was widely used (e.g. on FrSky Taranis), allowing pilots to highly customize radio functions. EdgeTX is a newer fork of OpenTX with an improved interface and touchscreen support (on radios like the TX16S). When pilots discuss radio setup (mixes, switches, voice alerts), they often refer to doing it in OpenTX/EdgeTX Companion software on the computer or on the radio itself.
VTX Table: A configuration in Betaflight that defines how the FC controls a SmartAudio or IRC Tramp protocol VTX. Pilots must set up the VTX table so Betaflight knows the power levels and channels the video transmitter supports. If your VTX isn’t changing channels via Betaflight OSD, you might need to configure the vtxtable.
Channels/Band: In analog FPV, video transmitters broadcast on a frequency channel within a band. For example, Raceband 1 (R1) is 5658 MHz. Common bands: A, B, E, FatShark, Raceband. Each has 8 channels spaced across the 5.8 GHz range. Pilots at events coordinate to use different channels so they don’t interfere. On digital systems, “channel” might refer to a group or frequency preset (not as standardized).
SmartAudio: A protocol (originally by TBS) that allows flight controllers to communicate with video transmitters. Using SmartAudio or the similar IRC Tramp protocol, Betaflight can change the VTX channel, band, and power via OSD or transmitter stick commands. This saves the trouble of pressing buttons on the VTX.
OSD (On-Screen Display): The text/graphics overlay on the FPV video feed that shows telemetry like battery voltage, current, timer, crosshairs, etc. It is generated by hardware or firmware on the flight controller (for analog, Betaflight’s OSD feeds the camera image with text). For digital, the OSD is either an emulated text layer (HDZero, Avatar) or a limited set of telemetry in DJI. The OSD lets pilots monitor vital data in-flight.
BEC Pad / 5V rail: On the FC or ESC, the solder pads where the regulated voltage is output. For instance, a “5V pad” on the FC provides 5 volts from the BEC to power receiver, LED, etc. Pilots must be careful not to draw too much from these or they risk brownouts. Some FCs also have 9V pads for VTX power.
XT60 / XT30: Common battery connector types on drones. XT60 is the yellow nylon connector for most 3S–6S batteries (rated up to 60A continuous). XT30 is a smaller version for smaller drones or lower currents (often 2S–4S micros). “XT” connectors are polarized (can’t be plugged in reverse) and provide a solid high-current connection. Larger setups may use XT90 (heavy lift drones).
LiPo (Lithium Polymer): The main type of battery chemistry used in FPV drones. LiPo batteries provide high current output (high C-rating) but require careful handling. A LiPo pack is rated by cell count (S) and capacity (mAh). Example: a 4S 1300mAh LiPo has 4 cells in series, ~14.8V fully charged, with 1300 mAh capacity. Pilots choose LiPo cells based on the voltage and weight trade-offs (more cells = more speed but more weight).
LiHV (High Voltage LiPo): A variant of LiPo that can be charged to a higher per-cell voltage (4.35V instead of 4.20V). LiHV packs provide a bit more punch and capacity for the same size. Common in tiny whoops (1S HV batteries) to get extra flight time and power. They must be charged carefully to the correct voltage.
Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion): A different battery chemistry often used for long-range builds. Li-Ion cells (like 18650 or 21700 cells) have higher energy density (mAh) but lower discharge rate (C). They are used in packs for long flights where current draw is low and long duration is needed. For example, a 4S2P Li-Ion pack might power a long-range cruiser for 20+ minutes, but it can’t handle high amp draws like a LiPo can.
Cell (S): Refers to one 3.7 V nominal lithium cell. FPV batteries are made of multiple cells in series (denoted as XS). 1S = single cell (3.7V nominal), 2S = two cells (~7.4V), 4S = 14.8V, 6S = 22.2V, etc. You’ll often see “S” used as shorthand, e.g. 6S setup means a LiPo with 6 cells. Higher cell count gives higher voltage = more RPM from the motors (but requires components that can handle it).
C Rating: A number indicating a battery’s discharge capability. It’s a multiplier of the capacity. For example, a 1500 mAh 100C LiPo could (in theory) output 1500mA * 100 = 150,000 mA (150 A) continuously. Higher C packs can sustain higher current draws with less voltage sag. However, C ratings are often exaggerated by manufacturers. Pilots use it as a rough guide: a 30C pack is for low amp draw, 90C+ for high-performance quads.
mAh (milliamp-hour): The unit of battery capacity. It indicates how much charge the battery holds. For instance, a 1300 mAh can supply 1300 mA for one hour (in theory). Bigger mAh = longer potential flight time but more weight. A “pack” is often described by its mAh (e.g. “a 4S 1550”).
Voltage sag: The drop in voltage of a LiPo under high load. When you punch the throttle, a battery’s voltage will dip (sag) depending on its internal resistance and the current draw. Excessive sag can lead to a brownout or hitting low-voltage cutoff quickly. A connector or battery with high resistance shows more voltage sag (voltage falls off earlier under load, reducing effective flight time). Pilots notice sag as the quad feeling “less punchy” and voltage in OSD dropping significantly at full throttle. Using high C-rating batteries, good connectors (like XT60, BT2.0), and not over-discharging helps minimize sag.
Balance lead: The multi-wire connector on a LiPo used for balancing the charge on each cell. For example, a 4S LiPo has a 5-pin balance lead that gives access to each cell’s voltage. When charging, a balance charger uses this lead to ensure all cells charge evenly to 4.20V each. Balance plug damage is common; pilots must be gentle with it. Also, never short the balance wires – it can release the magic smoke!
Balance charge: Charging a LiPo through a balance charger that monitors each cell via the balance lead, ensuring each cell ends at the proper voltage. This is the safe way to charge multi-cell LiPos. A balance board can be used to charge multiple packs in parallel, but all must be same cell count and at similar voltages.
Storage charge: The half-charge state (~3.8V per cell for LiPo) that batteries should be kept at when not in use. After flying, pilots “storage charge” their batteries (either by charging up or discharging down) to around 3.80–3.85V per cell to prolong battery life. Leaving a LiPo fully charged (4.2V) for days can puff it; leaving it too low can ruin it.
Puffed LiPo: A LiPo battery that has swollen (the pouch cells puff up) due to damage, over-discharging, or age. It’s a bad sign – puffed packs have lost capacity and increased internal resistance. Slang: “That pack is toast, it’s puffed.” It’s generally unsafe to continue using a seriously puffed LiPo as it can overheat or burst. Dispose of it properly.
Parallel Charging: A method to charge multiple LiPo batteries at once by connecting them in parallel (all + together, all – together). Parallel charging requires that all packs be the same cell count and at similar voltage before connecting. It lets you charge, say, six 4S 1300 mAh packs as if they were one big 4S 7800 mAh pack, saving time. One must use a parallel board or cables and follow safety rules carefully. Mistakes in parallel charging (like mixing charged and empty packs) can be dangerous.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

FPV – First Person View. This refers to the drone flying style where you see from the drone’s perspective via a camera and video link. e.g. “FPV drone”, “FPV goggles”.
LOS – Line of Sight. Flying by directly watching the drone (opposite of FPV in practice). Also used in rules requiring a visual line-of-sight observer.
UAV – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. A broad term for any unmanned drone or aircraft. In hobby use, your FPV quad is a UAV.
BNF – Bind and Fly. Indicates a pre-built drone that includes a receiver and just needs to be bound to your radio. Example: “I bought a BNF quad – it came ready to bind to my FrSky radio.” (Sometimes used interchangeably with PNP, though technically PNP has no receiver.)
PNP – Plug and Play. A pre-built drone without a receiver. You need to add your own RX and then it’s ready to fly. PNP is similar to BNF, except BNF includes a receiver pre-installed.
RTF – Ready to Fly. A package that includes everything needed to fly, out of the box. An RTF kit often contains the drone, a transmitter, a set of goggles, battery, and charger. It’s aimed at beginners who have no existing gear.
FC – Flight Controller. (See Flight Controller above.)
ESC – Electronic Speed Controller. (See ESC above.)
VTX – Video Transmitter. (See VTX above.)
VRX – Video Receiver. (See VRX above.)
RX – Receiver (radio receiver). (See Receiver above.)
TX – Transmitter. In context usually the radio controller (handset), but can also mean any transmitting device (radio module or video transmitter).
OSD – On-Screen Display. (See OSD above.)
PID – Proportional, Integral, Derivative. Refers to the three terms of the control loop used to stabilize the quad. “PID tuning” means adjusting these gains to make the quad fly better. Also used to refer to the values themselves: “My PIDs are stock,” meaning you haven’t tuned the controller gains.
FOV – Field of View. In FPV context, usually the camera or goggle field of view in degrees. A 150° FOV camera captures a wide angle. Also used for goggle FOV (how big the screens feel).
AUW – All-Up Weight. The total takeoff weight of the aircraft including battery, camera, etc. For example, “My 5″ quad’s AUW is 720g with a GoPro.” This is important for thrust-to-weight calculations.
MTOW – Maximum Takeoff Weight. The heaviest weight at which the aircraft can safely take off. Often a regulatory term (for instance, sub-250 g builds aim to stay under a legal MTOW of 250 grams).
BVLOS – Beyond Visual Line of Sight. (See BVLOS in General terms.) Generally requires special permission to fly BVLOS legally.
RSSI – Received Signal Strength Indicator. A measurement of how strong the radio signal is (often displayed 0–99 or 0–RSSI dBm). In analog systems, RSSI is often used for video signal strength in OSD; in control links, RSSI value can show how close you are to failsafe. High RSSI = strong signal. Modern control links like Crossfire/ELRS sometimes use LQ instead.
LQ – Link Quality. Expressed in %, it indicates how many control packets are successfully received (e.g. 100% LQ means no packet lost). Crossfire uses LQ (e.g. 300 meaning full link quality at 150 Hz mode), and ELRS uses 0–100% LQ. Pilots pay attention to LQ as a more reliable indicator of link health than RSSI in those systems.
GYRO – Gyroscope. The sensor on the flight controller that measures rotational velocity on roll/pitch/yaw axes. When people mention “gyro noise” or “gyro filter”, they refer to managing the signals from this sensor to get a stable flight.
ACC (Accelerometer) – Measures linear acceleration and orientation relative to gravity. Used for self-level modes (Angle/Horizon). Many pilots disable the acc in Betaflight if they fly only acro mode to reduce CPU load.
Blackbox – Flight data logging system. (See Blackbox above.) In shorthand, “I checked the blackbox” means they reviewed the log file from the flight controller.
DAC – Dual (or Diversity) Antenna Receiver. Sometimes mentioned as just “diversity receiver”, meaning it has two antennas/receivers to pick the best signal. (e.g. “My goggles module is diversity, it has two DAC receivers”.)
OTA – Over-the-Air. In FPV this often refers to updating firmware wirelessly (like flashing ELRS receiver via radio link, or VTX firmware via the flight controller). For example, ELRS receivers can do OTA updates without needing a physical connection after initial binding.
LED – Light Emitting Diode. On quads, programmable LEDs (like WS2812 addressable LEDs) are used for orientation or racing visibility. The Betaflight LED Strip tab lets you program patterns. If someone says “my quad lit up with LEDs,” they probably configured some LED effects for freestyle or racing.
GPS – Global Positioning System. Some FPV builds include a GPS module for telemetry (like speed, altitude, home direction) and features like GPS Rescue (a simple return-to-home failsafe). Long-range pilots use GPS to find a lost quad (by coordinates) and to autoland or return if signal is lost (Betaflight’s GPS Rescue is a rudimentary RTH).
RTH – Return to Home. A function (usually in GPS-equipped systems like INAV or DJI) where the drone will fly itself back to the takeoff point. In Betaflight there’s GPS Rescue which is a form of RTH used as a failsafe. RTH is a safety feature – if you lose video, triggering RTH can bring the quad back toward you (assuming it’s set up correctly).
ATTI Mode – Short for Attitude mode. A flight mode where the drone auto-levels (like Angle mode) but does not use GPS to hold position. DJI camera drones use ATTI if GPS is weak – it will level but can drift with wind. In FPV terms, pure Betaflight doesn’t have an ATTI, but pilots might refer to Angle mode (self-level) without GPS as analogous to ATTI.
TTL – Through-The-Lens. In the FPV context, sometimes mentioned with analog recordings (like DVR) to emphasize it’s what the pilot saw through the goggles. Not a common FPV term, more photography, but occasionally people say “TTL perspective” meaning the camera view.
HDMI out – Some goggles have an HDMI output or input. For example, Fat Shark HDO2 can take HDMI in to display a digital feed or simulator. If someone mentions using HDMI out, likely they are using their goggles as screens for a sim or digital receiver. (This is more general tech than FPV jargon, however.)
SMA / RP-SMA – Types of RF connectors for antennas. SMA is a threaded RF connector (male has a pin). RP-SMA (reverse polarity SMA) looks the same but gender of the pin is swapped. Many older goggles/modules use SMA, while some use RP-SMA. Pilots must match the connector type of antennas to their gear. (Using an adapter if needed.)
U.FL (IPEX) – A tiny coax connector commonly used on VTXs and RXs to connect the antenna pigtail. U.FL connectors are small and delicate; a crash can pop them off. Many receiver antennas and some micro VTX antennas are U.FL. They are also called IPEX4 (the specific U.FL variant).
SMBus / Fuel Gauge – On some LiPos (especially from iFlight/Tattu smart batteries), there’s an SMBus connector that feeds data like battery voltage of each cell, cycles, etc., to a compatible flight controller for on-screen battery telemetry. Not widespread in freestyle yet, but you might see “smart battery” with a fuel gauge IC and connector beyond just the balance lead.
GCS – Ground Control Station. Software used in autonomous drone systems (e.g. Mission Planner for ArduPilot). In FPV, you might encounter GCS when using INAV or ArduPilot on a long-range quad; it’s basically a PC interface to monitor and send high-level commands to the drone.
ACK / Telemetry – In context of control links, some systems send telemetry back to the radio (RSSI, voltage, GPS, etc.). If someone says “telemetry lost” (common FrSky alert), it means the radio lost the data feedback from the receiver (often happens right as you failsafe). Modern links like Crossfire/ELRS have extensive telemetry. ACK refers to acknowledgment packets, usually not discussed unless debugging link performance.
SBEC / UBEC – Specific types of BECs (switch-mode or “universal” BEC). In practice just know they’re voltage regulators. Rarely, a PDB might advertise an “SBEC 5V 2A” meaning a switching BEC on board for 5V output.
XT60U – An updated XT60 connector with housing that’s easier to grip or mount (no wires exposed on rear). Some frames use XT60U as a mounted battery plug. It’s essentially the same as XT60 electrically.
F7 / F4 / H7 – References to the processor type on an FC (e.g., an “F7 flight controller” vs an “F4 board”). F7 and H7 are newer, with more UARTs and faster speeds than older F1, F3, F4 chips. This matters for things like whether the FC can run all desired features (H7 being top-tier currently).
ACCST / ACCESS – FrSky’s radio protocols (ACCST is the old one, ACCESS is newer with faster performance). If you have FrSky gear, you’ll see these terms regarding transmitter module firmware and receiver compatibility.
DAC – Not common in FPV context except possibly meaning “digital-to-analog converter” in a camera or OSD circuit, but likely not relevant as jargon. If seen, likely referring to diversity receiver (as above in DAC receiver).