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Franklin Youth Center

Drone Program

Program Overview

The Drone Tech Navigators Academy – The Ultimate Drone FPV Sports Experience is a six-week, hands-on program introducing students to drone safety, FAA recreational drone guidelines, First-Person View (FPV) technology, simulator flight training, and FPV drone racing.

Students will progress from foundational drone safety and The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) to simulator-based FPV skill development and practical flight training using the DJI Neo Drone.

Each session combines classroom instruction, simulator training, and hands-on flight activities. Students will develop their skills progressively while learning that successful drone racing requires more than speed—it requires safety, control, precision, communication, strategy, and teamwork.

The program concludes with the Ultimate Drone FPV Racing Challenge, featuring individual and team competitions.

 

Overall Program Learning Objectives

By the completion of the six-week program, students will be able to:

  1. Explain fundamental drone terminology and FPV technology.

  2. Demonstrate an understanding of recreational drone safety and FAA TRUST concepts.

  3. Complete or prepare to complete the FAA TRUST certificate requirements.

  4. Identify the major components of an FPV drone system.

  5. Explain the roles of the drone, controller, camera, goggles/display, and pilot.

  6. Demonstrate proper pre-flight and post-flight procedures.

  7. Apply safe operating procedures when flying the DJI Neo.

  8. Navigate an FPV simulator using appropriate flight controls.

  9. Demonstrate progressive FPV skills including takeoff, turns, altitude control, obstacle navigation, landing, and course completion.

  10. Transfer skills learned in the Orqa SkyDive FPV Simulator to practical DJI Neo flight activities.

  11. Demonstrate safe and controlled flight through an FPV obstacle/racing course.

  12. Apply racing concepts including racing lines, speed management, precision, and consistency.

  13. Demonstrate teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship during team racing.

  14. Participate safely in individual and team FPV racing competitions.

 

Standard 90-Minute Session Format

Each session is divided into three instructional sections:

A. Introduction / Theory — Approximately 20 Minutes

Instructor-led discussion, demonstrations, TRUST instruction, safety procedures, FPV concepts, race strategy, and review.

B. Simulator Training — Approximately 30 Minutes

Students use the Orqa SkyDive FPV Simulator to practice flight control, orientation, obstacle navigation, racing lines, and race-course skills.

C. FPV Practice & Racing — Approximately 40 Minutes

Students apply skills using the DJI Neo Drone through structured flight missions, obstacle courses, practice races, and team challenges.

Safety briefings and equipment checks are incorporated throughout each session.

 

WEEK 1 – Drone Safety, TRUST & Introduction to FPV

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Date: September 14, 2026

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Lesson Objective

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Students will understand basic drone safety, FAA recreational flying requirements, TRUST concepts, and the fundamentals of FPV drone technology while establishing baseline simulator and flight skills.

A. Introduction / Theory

Topics:

  • Welcome to the Ultimate Drone FPV Sports Experience

  • Program expectations and safety rules

  • What is a drone/UAS?

  • Introduction to FAA recreational drone regulations

  • Introduction to TRUST

  • Why drone safety matters

  • Pilot responsibilities

  • Visual Line of Sight

  • Introduction to FPV

  • How FPV differs from traditional drone flight

  • Introduction to DJI Neo

  • Introduction to DJI Goggles and FPV Controller

  • Introduction to FPV racing

  • Pre-flight safety checklist

Student Challenge: Identify at least five rules for safely operating a drone.

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B. Simulator Training

Orqa SkyDive FPV Simulator APP:

  • Controller orientation

  • Training Modules​​

    • Complete Up to Race Track ​

  • Free Flight

  • Flying Modes

Students complete a short baseline FPV simulator flight so their progress can be compared later in the program.

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C. FPV Practice & Racing

DJI Neo:

  • Equipment inspection

  • Using the DJI Goggles - Menu Settings

  • Safe launch and landing procedures

  • Basic flight orientation

  • Takeoff and landing

  • Forward/backward movement

  • Left/right movement

  • Basic turns

  • Simple  navigation course

Week 1 Flight Goal:
Safety + Control Before Speed

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Drone Program Evaluation  

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