Make a TINY Arduino Drone with FPV Camera - Will It Fly?

reating your own DIY drone is no longer just for professionals. With the power of Arduino, you can now build a tiny drone with a First-Person View (FPV) camera—right from your home workshop. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from components and wiring to flight testing. The big question is: Will it actually fly? Let’s find out.

Why Build a Tiny Arduino Drone?

Drones are everywhere—from aerial photography to package delivery. But most commercial drones are expensive and hard to modify. Building a mini Arduino-based FPV drone offers several benefits:

Affordable: Uses easily available, low-cost components.

Customizable: You have complete control over design and features.

Educational: Learn about electronics, programming, and aerodynamics.

It’s a great project for hobbyists, students, or anyone fascinated by flying machines.

Essential Components You’ll Need

To build a functional Arduino drone with FPV capabilities, you’ll need the following components:

Arduino Nano / Arduino Pro Mini

MultiWii or MPU6050 Gyroscope/Accelerometer

Mini Brushed Motors (x4)

Motor Driver Board (such as DRV8833)

Propellers (4 pieces – lightweight and small)

FPV Camera (Analog, like the AIO micro FPV combo)

2.4GHz Transmitter and Receiver (or FlySky i6 system)

LiPo Battery (1S 3.7V, around 300-500mAh)

Frame (3D-printed or handmade with lightweight material)

Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) [if using brushless motors]

Battery Connector (like JST)

Optional: Voltage regulator, LED lights for indicators

You’ll also need a soldering iron, jumper wires, hot glue, and a good dose of patience!

Building the Frame

The frame needs to be lightweight but durable. Some popular DIY frame options include:

3D printed plastic (PLA or PETG)

Carbon fiber plates

Foam core or balsa wood

Keep it symmetrical for balanced flight. Make sure there's space to mount the motors, Arduino, battery, and camera. Use zip ties or glue to secure everything, but avoid adding too much weight.

Wiring and Circuit Design

1. Connect Motors to Driver Board: Each pair of motors connects to an H-bridge motor driver. For brushed motors, you can use DRV8833 or L9110 drivers.

2. Connect Sensors: The MPU6050 module connects via I2C pins (A4, A5 on Arduino Nano). This helps stabilize your drone in flight.

3. Power Distribution: Power everything through the battery. The Arduino should be powered via a regulated 5V pin, while motors may draw directly from the 3.7V battery.

4. FPV Camera Setup: Most AIO FPV camera modules have built-in transmitters. Power the camera using a direct battery connection. Pair it with FPV goggles or a receiver screen.

Be mindful of weight and wire length—short and clean wiring reduces interference.

Programming the Arduino

Now comes the fun part—coding your flight controller. You can use MultiWii firmware, a classic open-source software for Arduino drones.

Steps:

Download and install Arduino IDE

Install MultiWii libraries

Edit the config.h file to match your components

Calibrate the MPU6050 sensor using the serial monitor

Upload the sketch to your Arduino Nano

Your program should read data from the gyroscope and control the motor speeds accordingly to stabilize the drone.

You may also explore custom Arduino flight controller codes written from scratch. For beginners, starting with MultiWii is recommended due to its community support.

Adding FPV Camera

Mount the FPV camera on the front of the drone, pointing slightly downward for better visibility during flight. Make sure:

The antenna is clear of interference

It is powered properly (usually 3.3–5V)

It is securely fastened to avoid shaking mid-flight

Use lightweight modules like the Eachine TX02 or FX798T, which are commonly used in micro quads.

Testing and Calibration

Before taking off:

Ensure propellers are tightly fixed and rotating in the correct direction

Check motor balance and noise

Test the FPV signal on your goggles or receiver monitor

Calibrate the gyroscope (flat surface, no movement)

Use a basic propeller guard if possible

Start with indoor testing—just a few inches off the ground. Once you're confident, move to outdoor flying in a wind-free area.

Flight Performance: Will It Actually Fly?

With careful balancing, correct programming, and a light enough frame, yes—it will fly! However, don’t expect DJI-level performance.

You might experience:

Limited battery life (2–4 minutes)

Slight wobbling (PID tuning can help)

Low range FPV signal (depends on the module)

But for a home-built micro drone, it’s a satisfying result. You get live video feed while controlling your own DIY quadcopter—an incredible achievement for a budget-friendly project.

Challenges You Might Face

Weight management: Every extra gram affects flight time.

Vibration: Can disturb sensor readings.

Power issues: Motors and camera drawing from the same source can cause voltage drops.

Signal interference: Keep FPV transmitter away from control receiver.

Solving these is part of the learning process and makes you better at DIY electronics and aeronautics.

Tips for a Better Build

Use lightweight wires and low-profile connectors.

Balance your propellers to reduce vibration.

Secure wires with tape or glue to avoid mid-air damage.

Use a flight simulator app or software before real flying.

Label your connections for easier troubleshooting.