A palm-sized spark of propellers and microchips turns a weekend project into a small-flight legend. The drone’s footprint is so tiny you’d mistake it for a toy until it lifts off with surprising poise.

Tiny FPV Drone: Micro Flight Milestone

Miniaturization in practice

This tiny FPV drone repurposes parts from the BetaFPV Air65. The core flight controller, camera, rotors, and propellers all fit into a frame that measures just 22.3 millimeters from motor post to motor post. The result is four rotors overlapping in a single compact plane, a design that looks almost impossible until it actually flies. The body was designed and 3D printed on a Bambu A1 Mini, illustrating how desktop manufacturing tools empower extreme DIY builds.

Keeper of precision, the project required significant firmware adjustments to accommodate a new geometry, and multiple flight tests to achieve stable lift. The final prototype weighed about 25 grams, a featherweight by any standard, with a 300 mAh battery delivering roughly three minutes of flight. A 260 mAh pack shaved a few seconds off the endurance, underscoring the delicate balance between weight and power in micro-drones.

According to Notebookcheck, Hoarder Sam tore down the original drone, integrated its components into the micro airframe, and achieved flight after iterating firmware and mechanical tweaks. The report notes the assembly used the Air65’s flight controller, camera, rotors, and props, and highlights the importance of firmware tuning for tiny, unstable airframes.

Why it matters for the drone world

First, this is not just a party trick. The tiny FPV drone demonstrates that the bottlenecks in micro-drones are shifting from hardware availability to reliable integration and software control. For hobbyists, the ability to use off-the-shelf parts in a 22.3 mm package opens up new avenues for experimentation, competition, and education. The tiny form factor also challenges safety and regulation norms, as micro-drones fall into categories with varying flight limits and airspace rules across regions.

Second, the project shows the power of modern manufacturing. The 3D printed body, combined with a compact flight stack, shows how individual makers can push past conventional sizes. In the broader market, vendors may explore more compact components, more efficient micro-batteries, and firmware that supports ultra-small platforms without sacrificing control. This is a trend that could ripple into small inspection drones and education kits for robotics labs.

For readers who want the big takeaway: the ultracompact drone is a proof of concept that miniaturization can unlock new use cases where space is at a premium. It also serves as a caution that tiny drones demand careful tuning and robust components to stay stable in flight, especially under wind or rapid maneuvers. The field calls for more standardized micro-drone references and more accessible firmware tools to help creators iterate quickly.

Implications for hobbyists and industry

From a hobbyist perspective, the tiny FPV drone lowers the barrier to entry for advanced FPV experimentation. It shows that a complete FPV stack can be shoehorned into a package small enough to fit in a pocket. For manufacturers, the demonstration spotlights the demand for ultra-compact sensors, lighter frames, and more efficient motors that can deliver meaningful flight time without adding bulk. The lesson is clear: smarter design matters as much as smaller size.

What to watch next

• More testing of micro-drones with alternative batteries and flight controllers
• Community-driven firmware projects that optimize tiny platforms
• Regulatory pilots and safety guidelines for micro-FPV devices

Conclusion

Extreme miniaturization in drones is shifting from novelty to a viable platform for education, research, and hobbyist exploration. The tiny FPV drone built by Hoarder Sam demonstrates what is possible when hardware reuse, 3D printing, and careful tuning align. For the drone world, it’s a reminder that the smallest machines can carry big ideas.