Launched free locations database for where to fly your drone

[fpv-trails]

Hello everyone,

We just launched FPVTrails.com, a free database of locations to fly your drone. At FPV Trails, our goal is to provide a map and community based approach to drone piloting. Anyone can add, rate, review, and discuss trails so that whether you are a recreational pilot or a seasoned professional, you can find the best locations and inspiration for improving your flying and photography skills.

While there are many great apps, such as UAV Forecast, Aloft, B4UFly, UAVCoach, and AirspaceLink, there needs to be a centralized map where users can indicate where they have actually flown, what the environment is like on the ground, what regulations, restrictions, and other issues a real pilot may face while flying. Next time you are traveling to a new city, you will know to first check FPV Trails for the best place to fly your drone!

Our approach is to combine airspace information with user generated locations and reviews. So far we have added FAA UAS facility maps, US stadiums, international airports, national and state parks, and some OpenWeatherMap layers. We have ~250 locations (plus FRIAs such as Academy of Aeronautical Model locations and other model aircraft fields) and have started compiling a list of University UAS programs. Please let us know if you would like to see additional layers and sign up and start adding locations and reviews!

While we plan to offer this as a free service, we may eventually try to cover our hosting costs via ads, a job board, and/or premium services and integrations. This is an MVP, so if anything isn’t working as expected, please let us know. Feel free to ask questions or offer suggestions about FPV Trails here!

 

[Richard R]

There seems to be an issue with your sign in code. First attempt to create an account, it said the email address was already in use which is strange because all my site logins are stored in an encrypted db and there was no evidence of a previous sign in. Just today. So I attempted to reset the password but never got a reset email (including spam).

 

[fpv-trails]

First off, thanks so much for checking out the site! Did you get any other error message? Was this on mobile or desktop? (We have previously had issues with mobile login and thought this was resolved.) We are looking into this now.

 

[fpv-trails]

We were in the process of adding additional profile inputs (ability to upload TRUST certificate, profile pic, etc.) and that may have something to do with the issue.

 

[Richard R]

First off, thanks so much for checking out the site! Did you get any other error message? Was this on mobile or desktop? (We have previously had issues with mobile login and thought this was resolved.) We are looking into this now.

No other error messages. This was on Desktop. Mac, Safari, all latest versions

 

[Richard R]

We were in the process of adding additional profile inputs (ability to upload TRUST certificate, profile pic, etc.) and that may have something to do with the issue.

Ok understand. I'm happy to try again when you are ready. One comment, I like the option to see temp, wind, rain. it would useful to see more granular detail for these 3 when zooming in.

 

[fpv-trails]

Ok understand. I'm happy to try again when you are ready. One comment, I like the option to see temp, wind, rain. it would useful to see more granular detail for these 3 when zooming in.

Agreed, we're currently using the free version of open weather map and plan to upgrade soon.

 

[kpmac]

Can not sign up. Says email already in use. I have never signed up.

 

[Frank Dracman]

It really seems like this is an early beta (at least I hope so) of an idea.

 

[fpv-trails]

Can not sign up. Says email already in use. I have never signed up.

Can you send a pm with your email? We have been unable to replicate the sign up issue on our end. Was this on mobile or desktop and what browser are you using?

 

[fpv-trails]

It really seems like this is an early beta (at least I hope so) of an idea.

Sorry to disappoint you then, but no this is not an early beta, we are live, in production. This is a free service we are offering to the community and there are only two of us working in our spare time to offer this. If you have a more specific comment, we would love to hear it.

 

[BrickAir]

Signed up and verified my email address. Went to sign in and it said username and password don't match, please try again. Went to reset my password, email is sent. Hit the link to reset my password and it just takes me to the map with no option to reset my password.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Major major props and thanks to you two for doing this.

I would suggest integrating a donation feature to the site immediately, so people can compensate you for work even though the site is free.

Also consider advertising on the site. I and many others hate blinking, flashing visually annoying ads, but static still-image ads are tolerable, I've even clicked a few on this site.

 

[fpv-trails]

Signed up and verified my email address. Went to sign in and it said username and password don't match, please try again. Went to reset my password, email is sent. Hit the link to reset my password and it just takes me to the map with no option to reset my password.

Thanks for letting us know. We just implemented new error handling for the sign up process and noticed at least a couple bugs- one was if you left the forum name empty, in the backend, the server was rejecting the verification even though the frontend showed a successful sign up and the email and username was added to the database. Now, if you leave the forum username empty, by default your name will be drone_enthusiast. Now, at least you should get an error in the sign up process.

 

[fpv-trails]

Major major props and thanks to you two for doing this.

I would suggest integrating a donation feature to the site immediately, so people can compensate you for work even though the site is free.

Also consider advertising on the site. I and many others hate blinking, flashing visually annoying ads, but static still-image ads are tolerable, I've even clicked a few on this site.

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, we are planning to add a "buy us a coffee" banner/button somewhere. We are also working on joining various affiliate programs- we got approved to Pilot Institute, Get FPV, and Drone Blocks, and are waiting on hearing back from DJI- point being we are joining platforms that we think our users would actually benefit from and be interested in.

 

[Frank Dracman]

Sorry to disappoint you then, but no this is not an early beta, we are live, in production. This is a free service we are offering to the community and there are only two of us working in our spare time to offer this. If you have a more specific comment, we would love to hear it.

It doesn't disappoint me, I'm just surprised if this is your final project that it doesn't disappoint you.

 

[fpv-trails]

It doesn't disappoint me, I'm just surprised if this is your final project that it doesn't disappoint you.

"If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late." — Reid Hoffman