VEX AIR - Unit 4 - Rolling Along - Lesson 3: Steering Modes

Now that you have practiced controlling the drone’s pitch and yaw, you are ready to explore a new way to steer! In this lesson, you will learn about the difference between standard and headless steering modes, and how each one changes the way you fly the VEX AIR Drone.

Using the same joysticks, you can choose between two different steering “perspectives.” Standard steering is based on the direction the drone is facing, while headless steering always follows the starting position of the drone—no matter which way the drone has rotated. Understanding how both modes work will help you choose the best tool for any mission.

In this video, you will learn more about:

How standard steering uses the drone’s front as the reference point.
How headless steering keeps controls consistent relative to the starting point of the drone (in our case, the pilot).
How to switch between steering modes using the settings on the VEX AIR Drone Controller.

<< Video Here >>

Mission: Test Steering

In this mission, you will repeat the same flight path you practiced in Lesson 2—but this time using headless steering. Changing the steering mode will give you a new perspective on how the drone responds to your joystick movements.

Follow these steps to complete your mission:

Connect your controller to VEXcode AIR and select the Simulator tab.
1. Use the drone settings menu to switch the steering mode from Standard Steering to Headless Steering before you begin.
Fly the drone to take off, then move left and fly through the first yellow ring. Return to the takeoff location using headless mode, then move right and fly through the second yellow ring. Finish the mission by landing on the platform.
Use the Mission Log to document your flight (Google Doc / .docx / .pdf). Record which steering mode you used and any challenges you noticed while switching perspectives.

Practice this mission as many times as you need! Use tools like changing camera views or other settings to help you complete the mission without any collisions.

Real-World Connections

Drone pilots use both standard steering and headless steering depending on the task they need to complete. Understanding when to use each mode is an important part of becoming a skilled and confident flyer—whether you're flying in a simulator or operating a drone in the real world.

Headless steering is especially useful in situations where the drone is far away, hard to see, or positioned at an unusual angle. For example, pilots filming movie scenes often rely on headless mode to keep their shots smooth, even when the drone rotates to capture a moving subject. Headless steering can also help during long-distance or out-of-sight flights, because the controls stay consistent no matter which direction the drone is facing.

Standard steering, on the other hand, is commonly used in professional drone work that requires precision. Tasks like inspecting buildings, navigating tight spaces, or following specific flight paths are often easier when the controls match the drone’s actual orientation.

Check Your Understanding

Select Next > to move on to the mini-challenge.