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FPV Drone Components: What’s Included in a Basic Build?

Updated: Jul 11

An FPV drone is a system made up of various components. If you’re planning to build your own FPV drone or simply want to better understand how a prebuilt one works, it’s important to know what parts make up the system and what they do. In this article, we’ll look at the essential components included in a standard FPV build — from the frame to the video transmitter.


Frame

This is the “skeleton” of the drone. It defines the shape, size, and layout for mounting all other components. Frames are made from carbon fiber — a lightweight yet durable material that withstands stress and impacts. They come in various sizes.


Common frame sizes:

  • 7-inch — was once the most popular size for combat FPV drones (kamikaze types).

  • 10-inch — increasingly used on the front lines, typically for FPV copters with payload drops or kamikaze missions.

  • 11-inch and 13-inch — also widely used for military applications.


Motors

Motors spin the propellers and generate thrust.


Key characteristics:

  • Quantity: usually 4 (quadcopter)

  • Type: brushless motors

  • Power: depends on drone weight and mission type (speed, payload, etc.)


Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs)

ESCs control the motors by delivering signals from the flight controller.


Types:

  • 4-in-1 ESC (all controllers in a single board)

  • Individual ESCs (one per motor)


Selected based on:

  • Current rating (Amps)

  • Supported battery cell count (e.g., 3S, 4S, 6S)


Flight Controller (FC)

The "brain" of the drone. It processes signals from the pilot and sensors, stabilizes flight, and manages all electronics.


Popular firmware options:

  • Betaflight

  • iNav

  • Ardupilot (commonly used in autonomous or reconnaissance drones)


Video Transmitter (VTX)

Sends the live camera feed to the pilot in real-time.


Types:

  • Analog — lower video quality, but minimal latency

  • Digital — HD image (e.g., DJI systems), but may have more latency


FPV Camera

A small, lightweight camera mounted at the front of the drone. Provides the pilot with a live video feed via goggles or a monitor.

Key specs: resolution, field of view (FOV), low-light sensitivity.


Receiver

Establishes communication between the drone and the radio transmitter (controller).


Popular protocols:

  • ELRS (ExpressLRS) — ultra-fast and long-range

  • Crossfire, FrSky — other common options depending on your radio system


LiPo Battery

Powers all onboard systems.


Chosen based on:

  • Cell count (e.g., 4S = 14.8V)

  • Capacity (e.g., 1300–1800 mAh)

  • C-rate — discharge rate (the higher, the more power output)


Other Important Parts:

  • Propellers — plastic blades (usually 3 or 4 per motor), chosen by size and pitch.

  • GPS Module — enables GPS Rescue (auto return to home).

  • Buzzer — helps locate the drone after a crash or loss.

  • Capacitors — reduce electrical noise and voltage spikes.

  • Antennas — improve signal quality for both video and control links.

 
 
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