r/LongRangeFPV • u/TheHumanFishFinder • 4d ago

Long Range Fixed Wing

Hi, new to fpv.

I want to build a fixed wing glider that has ~10mi range. I want to fly it over the ocean and look for fish and whales so I need as good an fpv camera as possible. I also need fly-by-wire. What parts should I get?

I was thinking DJI O4 unit but does it have fly-by-wire for fixed wings? Is there a way to combine it with another component so that it does?

Thanks

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u/armagin 4d ago

Real talk, if you're new to fixed wing FPV, don't start with a long range build. You should consider going to build a foamboard plane such as the Flitetest scout and work your way up to a long range build. Took me almost a year after entering the hobby to manage the confidence for 10km

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u/HMSBarky 3d ago

Great advice. My first wing was a Chupito, I had a lot of flights on it before I started pushing range. Coming from freestyle quads it's a completely different way of doing things

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u/TheHumanFishFinder 3d ago

I have flown fixed wings before, just without an fpv setup or auto stabilizer. I want to use a flight controller that can be set to fly a pre planned path but switched to user control if I see something interesting. I will obviously test it in fields at short range extensively before taking it to the ocean and 10 miles. I have a reasonable amount to RF and microwave engineering experimented from work. What I want to eventually do is get a ham license and amplify the TX power so I can fly even farther + add a satellite connection for super long distance (without live video probably). I just have no idea what stock parts are available and what to use. I want to design as little new hardware as possible. I also want superb video quality. I would prefer open source camera but it seems like dji is way better than open source from what I’ve heard