It's time to take flight! In this lesson, you will complete your first drone flight in the VEX AIR Flight Simulator. You will get hands-on experience piloting the virtual VEX AIR Drone using your physical VEX AIR Drone Controller.
Watch this video to learn more about:
- Taking off and landing the drone in the simulator.
- How upward motion is created in drones.
- Safety considerations using the Propeller Lock.
Hover & Discover
In the video, you learned that the movement of the drone's propellers create force. The force that moves the drone upward is called lift.
Lift counteracts gravity (the downward pull of the Earth on the drone). When the force of lift is greater than gravity, the drone will rise. When the force of lift is less than gravity, the drone will lower.
Mission: Takeoff and Land
In this mission, you will take your first flight in the VEX AIR Flight Simulator! Follow these steps to complete your mission.
- Connect your controller to VEXcode AIR and select the Simulator tab. Read this article to learn more about using the VEX AIR Flight Simulator.
- Fly the drone to take off and land back on the platform as shown in this video.
- Use this Mission Log to document your flight (Google Doc / .docx / .pdf).
- Remember to press the Propeller Lock button in the simulator before you try to take off.
Practice this mission multiple times. Make sure you take notes on each flight in your Mission Log.
Real-World Connections
This lesson focuses on your first flight and some of the safety considerations that occur with each flight. Before any drone leaves the ground, safety comes first. Real-world drone pilots follow strict checklists to make sure propellers can only spin when it’s safe to do so. The VEX AIR Drone's Propeller Lock works just like the safety systems used on professional drones to prevent accidents during setup, transport, or maintenance.
In industries like aerial photography, delivery, and public safety, safety features protect both the equipment and the people working nearby. Pilots must confirm that all systems are locked and safe before handling the drone—and that locks are released only when the drone is in a safe takeoff area.
The VEX AIR Flight Simulator includes the Propeller Lock feature to help you practice safe habits before flying in the real world. Every flight starts with safety—making sure the drone only moves when you’re ready and in control.
Check Your Understanding
Before moving on, ensure that you understand the concepts in this lesson by answering the questions here (Google Doc / .docx / .pdf).
Select Next > to move to the next lesson.