At Newton School of Technology, four dynamic first-year students—Ayush, Sushant, Rudra, and Aryan—embarked on an exhilarating project to construct the fastest racing drone on campus. Armed not with professional equipment or advanced labs, but with insatiable curiosity and creativity, they dove deep into late-night YouTube tutorials and the art of “jugaad.” Their adventure began with a simple WhatsApp message, sparking a journey loaded with trials, errors, and triumphs—from building their own DIY lithium-ion battery to mastering Betaflight software. As the fans spun and the signature “tu-du ding” startup sound echoed for the first time at 4 a.m., it was a pivotal moment that made every challenge worthwhile.
What sets this story apart is the spirit of collaboration and relentless learning that fueled these students. Even when their creation ended up in a tree or a component failed dramatically during a test, these incidents became badges of honor, showcasing their resilience. The ongoing support from NST’s Robotics Club and an enriching college culture that champions hands-on experiences enhanced their journey. If you’ve ever wondered how drones work or what real engineering learning entails, you’ll find their story both inspiring and a nudge to embark on your own technological adventure.
Four first-year students at Newton School of Technology—Ayush, Sushant, Rudra, and Aryan—embarked on a mission to create an FPV drone from scratch. No professional kits or fancy labs—just pure curiosity, late-night YouTube explorations, and a lot of innovation.
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Your journey began with a simple WhatsApp message. What ensued was a series of trial-and-error moments, fried circuits, short-circuited batteries, and mastering soldering, coding, and drone dynamics. From crafting a DIY lithium-ion battery to selecting Betaflight as your software, you tackled challenges with excitement and a thirst for knowledge.
The first successful flight wasn’t in a lab—it occurred at 4 in the morning in a common area. When the fans spun, and the “tu-du ding” startup sound played, it all felt worthwhile. Of course, there were mishaps too—like getting the drone stuck in a tree or burning an ESC after a crash—but these are stories you now laugh about.
What makes this story unique isn’t just the drone, but the mindset. The drive to figure things out, support each other, and learn from scratch. With the constant support of NST’s Robotics Club and a college culture that champions hands-on learning from day one, you turned an idea into reality—something that truly flies.
If you’ve ever been curious about how drones work, or wondered what real engineering education looks like, this story might inspire you to start building too.
Chapters
Forming the Idea: The Beginning of a Drone Adventure
Inspiration and Goals
You’ve always been captivated by the thought of crafting something extraordinary, haven’t you? For Ayush, Sushant, Rudra, and Aryan, this ambition soared sky-high when they decided to build a drone at Newton School of Technology, Rishihood University. Inspiration began with a shared passion for technology and innovation. They envisioned creating the fastest racing drone on campus, an object not just of function but also of grace and speed. Their primary goal was to learn the intricacies of drone technology by tackling the challenges of building one from scratch and gaining a hands-on understanding of what makes these high-speed marvels tick.
The Initial Message that Sparked the Project
So, how did this all start? Often, great adventures have humble beginnings, and for these four students, it began in the digital world—a simple message in a WhatsApp group. Sushant, who had been tinkering with tech gadgets since tenth grade, planted the seed by reaching out to his peers. “Who wants to build a drone?” he asked. Little did they know, this would ignite a passion project involving trial and error, sweat and laughter, all culminating in a machine that defied expectations. The message laid the foundation for teamwork, encouraging everyone to bring unique skills to the table.
Meet the Team: The Pioneers Behind the Fastest Drone
Profiles: Ayush, Sushant, Rudra, and Aryan
Meet your heroes of this mechanical saga: Ayush, Sushant, Rudra, and Aryan. These first-year students didn’t just rely on their academic prowess but also pursued an unexplored path filled with technical complexities. Sushant, with his experience since the 10th standard, was the tech guide of the group. Ayush, always curious about IoT and engineering mechanics, complimented Sushant’s enthusiasm. Rudra brought methodical thinking to the mix, while Aryan contributed with strong insights into programming and electronics.
Diverse Skills and Roles
Every team needs diverse talents, right? And these four young minds pooled their varied skills to form a cohesive unit. Sushant spearheaded the technological framework using his deep understanding of drone dynamics. Ayush applied his curiosity about IoT and problem-solving. Rudra mainly handled materials and structural design, ensuring they balanced efficiency with strength. Aryan, with his coding prowess, was the mind behind programming and integration, making their dream machine come alive. Together, they navigated the thrilling world of drones with a blend of determination, skill, and teamwork.
Understanding FPV Drones: What They Are and How They Work
Defining FPV Drones
You’re probably familiar with the idea of drones, but what sets FPV (First Person View) drones apart? They are a marvel of modern technology, providing a unique perspective by projecting the drone’s viewpoint directly to a set of goggles worn by the pilot. This makes you feel as though you’re soaring through the skies yourself. The typical FPV drone comes equipped with a camera, video transmitter, and specialized software that enhances navigation and control, often used in racing scenarios where high speeds and agility are crucial.
Key Features and Advantages for Racing
Why choose an FPV drone for racing, you ask? Well, these drones are engineered for speed and precision. FPV drones feature lightweight frames, powerful motors, and responsive controls that allow for swift maneuvers and high-speed turns. The “true” real-time video feed enables pilots to react immediately to their environment, making them perfect for racing where fractions of a second can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Additionally, the heightened agility allows these drones to tackle a variety of challenging courses with ease, making them ideal for enthusiasts seeking adrenaline-pumping experiences.
Building from Scratch: The DIY Approach
Challenges of Using Basic Resources
Imagine setting out on an epic quest but devoid of enchanted tools or mythical guidance. That’s how our team felt—no professional kits, no high-tech labs, just a bedroom filled with basic tools and supplies. They had to be inventive with the resources at hand. Simple household items and readily available gadgets became invaluable as they constructed the drone piece by piece. The process was undeniably challenging, often requiring late nights, constant adaptations, and an unfaltering belief in the final vision.
The Role of Jugaad in Problem-Solving
Ah, jugaad—a cultural approach that embodies innovation through ingenuity and resourcefulness. When textbook solutions fall short, and there is no technical playbook to follow, you rely on jugaad. For this team, it was about piecing together everyday materials in novel ways to solve unexpected hurdles. From repurposing old electronics to fabricating parts, their journey was dotted with moments of brilliance born from necessity. This empowered approach enabled them to push boundaries, craft creative solutions, and see opportunities in every seemingly insurmountable problem.
The Technical Components: Soldering, Coding, and Betaflight
Learning the Art of Soldering
For those new to it, soldering can seem like a perplexing craft, right? It’s the art of joining components to create a cohesive circuit, and for Ayush and his peers, mastering soldering was a pivotal step in drone assembly. It enabled them to connect the wires and components securely, ensuring electrical currents flowed seamlessly between different parts. Each attempt taught them patience and precision—a shaky hand could lead to a burnt circuit board, but a steady one could pave the way for operational excellence.
Programming the Drone with Betaflight
Your drone is only as smart as its software. That’s where Betaflight came into play. As an open-source software, Betaflight was perfect for programming their drone. Aryan, leveraging his skills in coding, programmed the flight controller to interpret signals from the radio transmitter, translating them into navigational commands. It was exciting yet daunting—each line of code had the power to redefine the drone’s responsiveness and flight characteristics, critical for achieving the speed and accuracy desired in a racing drone.
Creating a DIY Lithium-Ion Battery
Ever wondered what powers these nimble craft? The answer, in this case, lay with a DIY lithium-ion battery. Constructing a custom battery pack was no easy feat—it required an understanding of electrical principles and safety precautions, given the volatility of these cells. Instead of opting for pre-made solutions, the team compiled cells, balanced their capacities, and assembled them into a battery that powered their drone. It was a painstaking task but an essential piece of the puzzle that provided their drone with optimal power-to-weight efficiency.
Trial and Error: Overcoming Setbacks
Fried Circuits and Short-Circuited Batteries
Setbacks are stepping stones to success, but they often feel like mountains at the time. You can just picture the frustration as fried circuits lay before these dedicated students, remnants of short-circuited batteries and unsuccessful attempts. Each failure demanded a deep dive into diagnosing issues, seeking out solutions, and learning from mistakes. Though it used up precious time and resources, these experiences built resilience and taught them invaluable troubleshooting skills essential for any engineer.
The Mishap of Burning an ESC After a Crash
Picture it: the drone soars high, the team watches, their hopes aloft, then…crash! An electronic speed controller (ESC) burnt out after a particularly hard landing, translating to more setbacks. But setbacks, they discovered, are simply new learning opportunities. From sourcing replacement parts to preventing similar accidents in the future, this mishap honed their problem-solving skills and reinforced the importance of meticulous planning and execution during high-speed maneuvers.
The First Successful Flight: A Moment of Triumph
Testing the Drone at 4 AM
Sometimes, the magic happens during the quiet, odd hours of the day, when the world is asleep. For these students, their first successful drone flight took off at 4 AM. Nervous and excited, they gathered in a common area ready for the moment. The only thing disturbing the night was the “tu-du ding” startup sound of the drone, marking the moment as truly surreal. It was a long-awaited achievement that unveiled the potential within their carefully crafted wonder.
The Emotional Rush of the First Flight
There’s nothing quite like seeing your creation take flight and realizing it was all worth it. The emotional rush that followed was one of euphoria, a feeling of lightness, as if they could fly as high as the drone itself. Through collective cheers and shared grins, they felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment—proof that their hard work had paid off. This team had cracked the code, not just technically, but emotionally, ensuring this moment was one to remember and cherish.
Enhancing the Experience: Coolest Parts of Building a Drone
Positioning Cameras and Antennas
Now, it’s time to talk about the fine details—the aspects that take a drone from good to great. Getting the angle perfect for the onboard camera wasn’t just about placement; ultimately, it influenced the pilot’s ability to react to visuals in real time. Placing the antennas required meticulous attention to pick up signals efficiently, avoiding interference while maximizing range and precision. These small tweaks reflected thoughtful engineering, showing off their dedication to squeezing every ounce of performance from their creation.
Adding the Final Touches for Maximum Speed
You’ve made it this far; next comes optimizing for pure speed, the thrill that defines a racing drone. They were pulling out all the stops—lightweight parts, aerodynamic improvements, all calibrated for maximum thrust. Fine-tuning the configurations in Betaflight allowed them to match motor rotation with the right propeller pitch, squeezing out those extra mph. It was the embodiment of their relentless pursuit of excellence and proof of newfound mastery over FPV drone mechanics.
The Role of Newton School of Technology
Support from the Robotics Club
You might be wondering about the support system behind this grand endeavor. Enter the Robotics Club from NST. More than just a hub of like-minded individuals, it was a powerhouse of resources and encouragement. With their unwavering support, the club provided essential guidance, sponsoring trips to tech fests, offering exposure, and cheering the team on every step of the way. It was this nurturing environment that empowered them to dream big and achieve even bigger.
NST’s Hands-on Learning Environment
What makes NST a special place for budding engineers? Hands-on learning, right from the start. Whether it’s programming a microcontroller or assembling a complex machine part, students are exposed to practical learning experiences that supplement theoretical knowledge. This dynamic culture of exploration and creation underpins every action taken by Ayush, Sushant, Rudra, and Aryan, enabling them to dive headfirst into ambitious projects, surpass expectations, and ultimately build something incredible.
Conclusion: Reflections and Future Prospects
Lessons Learned and Team Dynamics
As you wrap up your journey with the team, you can reflect on the valuable lessons learned. The importance of teamwork, determination, and effective communication—all came to the forefront as key facilitators of their success. Through highs and lows, they grew together, experiencing what true engineering entails: a concoction of mistakes, lessons, and persistence. Their collective effort taught them not just about drones but about life, paving a path forward for future collaboration.
Encouragement for Aspiring Drone Builders
To all of you curious minds out there pondering similar projects, take heart. Building a drone isn’t just about creating something that flies; it’s about the lift-off of ideas, innovation, and personal growth. Ayush, Sushant, Rudra, and Aryan exemplify that with curiosity, a dash of creativity, and the right support system, the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning. So gear up, gather your team, dive into the world of possibilities, and let’s see what incredible heights you can reach too!