Before You Begin
In this unit, students will pilot the physical VEX AIR Drone using the VEX AIR Drone Controller, applying pitch, roll, and throttle controls. Building on their Virtual Flight Course experience with joystick mechanics, students will learn to navigate the Drone Dashboard interface. This dashboard provides real-time flight data that helps students understand the drone's position and movement patterns in three-dimensional space.
Learning Objectives:
This unit is designed to introduce students to the Drone Dashboard and provide them with practice flying the drone using pitch, roll, and throttle controls. By the end of the unit students will be able to:
- Demonstrate controlled changes in Z Height using throttle inputs.
- Demonstrate controlled forward and backward movement using pitch.
- Demonstrate controlled left and right movement using roll.
- Identify how to access the Drone Dashboard on the controller.
- Identify how roll, pitch, and throttle movements relate to the x-, y-, and z-axes.
- Use data from the controller screen to monitor flight information.
- Apply a pre-flight checklist before a flight.
Environment Setup and Materials
Ensure that your flight area is marked, labeled, and students know the safety procedures for your space. Use the following articles to help you as you set up your space and ready your students for flight.
- Setting Up your Classroom for Safe Flight with VEX AIR — Specific information and recommendations for setting up your flight environment are included in this article. Take time to review this article thoroughly and implement the setup recommendations.
- Classroom Management for Teaching with the VEX AIR Drone — This article provides detailed information on how to maintain a safe, orderly flight environment when flying the drone.
Students will need access to the contents of their VEX AIR Kit for this unit, including charged batteries. For more information about charging batteries, see this article.
Standards Alignment
Common Core English Language Arts (CCSS ELA)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.6 - Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10/11-12.3 - Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10/11-12.4 - Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grade level topics.
Common Core Mathematics (CCSS MATH)
- CCSS.Math.Practice.MP2 – Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
- CCSS.Math.Practice.MP4 – Model with mathematics.
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
- Empowered Learner – 1.1.c – Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
- Knowledge Constructor – 1.3.d – Students build knowledge by exploring real-world issues and gain experience in applying their learning in authentic settings.
- Global Collaborator - 1.7.c - Students contribute constructively to project teams, assuming various roles and responsibilities to work effectively toward a common goal.
Previously, you were introduced to essential drone safety features and procedures. You learned how to prepare your VEX AIR Drone for flight and used the VEX AIR Drone Controller to control the drone to take off and land. In this unit, you will apply more flight controls from your Virtual Flight skill set as you practice pitch, roll, and throttle movements with the drone. You will learn how the Drone Dashboard data corresponds to your flight controls and tracks the drone's real-time position.
Vocabulary
The key terms below will be useful as you build your flight skills with the drone. The vocabulary list is here to provide you with a reference for terms you may not be familiar with.
- Z Height — How high the drone is above the ground.
- Instrument — A tool that gives information or measurements to help control the drone.
- Drone Dashboard — A controller screen that shows important information about the drone, such as its position, speed, and altitude.
- Lateral Movement — Side-to-side motion that occurs when the drone rolls left or right.
The key terms below will be useful as you build your flight skills with the drone. The vocabulary list is here to provide you with a reference for terms you may not be familiar with.
- Z Height — How high the drone is above the ground.
- Instrument — A tool that gives information or measurements to help control the drone.
- Drone Dashboard — A controller screen that shows important information about the drone, such as its position, speed, and altitude.
- Lateral Movement — Side-to-side motion that occurs when the drone rolls left or right.
These key terms will help students to discuss their learning throughout the unit. You can also review key terms students were introduced to in the Virtual Flight Course (like roll, pitch, and throttle) to ensure all students are using shared language when talking about the drone and its movements. For more information about the screens on the controller, see this VEX Library article.
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