The Michael Rollins Show

Lexie and I talk about what it takes to build a fantastic community, and what that community can mean for you.

Evan Turner is an undisputed champion of FPV racing. He is also incredibly wise beyond his years and owns his own FPV company. His frame is the go to racing frame and almost all of the top pilots fly it.

Brendan Schulman is the VP of Policy and Legal Affairs for DJI North America. He has worked hand in hand with the FAA over the last 5 years to help craft UAS policy and to keep as many protections for FPV and model aircraft as possible. In this episode we talk about how the FPV and UAS communities can interact with the rules and regulations of the FAA in a way that could be beneficial for all. But, most importantly, he paints a human face on the FAA, something which I've never seen before and is of quite a bit of value.

Benoit Finck is one of the stars in cinematic FPV. In this interview he talks about how he charges for his work and he also talks about how he gets, manages and maintains clients.

Ahren Ciotti and I both suffer from different mental illnesses. For Ahren, the struggle has intensified recently, especially with the pandemic, but we are both "making it". In this episode we talk about our experiences with mental illness and ways that we cope. We also talk about the good sides of mental illness and the toll that our mental illness takes on those around us. It's a surprisingly light-hearted and fun episode and I hope that you're going to enjoy it!Time stamps00:00 Intro and Housekeeping02:03 Interview Start04:59 Mental illness backstory10:03 Off your meds17:22 Unemployment and depression21:44 Anxiety is different than depression28:12 Tools for coping with mental illness54:39 Mental illness is a super power1:07:18 It's hard on those around us1:25:44 Finding mental health care

Chad Kapper is a serial entrepreneur. In his time he has started and sold 3 successful businesses. Whether you love it or hate, Rotor Riot has left an indelible mark on the FPV community, and that is exactly how Chad Kapper created it to be.In this episode we talk about leadership, community and how others perceive you as a leader. We also talk about Chad's next endeavor, a thing called Hack Make Mod ([https://www.hhttps://www.hackmakemod.com.

Bruce's Patreon and YouTubehttps://www.patreon.com/rcmodelreviewshttps://www.youtube.com/user/xjethttps://www.youtube.com/user/RCModelReviewsMy Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/michaelrollinsThe Michael Rollins Show Podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/show/the-michael-rollins-showInstagram@themichaelrollinsshowThe FAA is the rule-making body for all airspace in the United States. They are well within their rights to control and restrict that airspace in any way that they'd like. They are doing just that as they start using the rule-making process to limit further the ways in which any RC controlled aircraft can be flown in the US.The FPV hobby will be impacted greatly by the new set of rules that are to take effect in 2023. The hobby is already moving towards sub-250g aircraft to avoid the requirement for remote ID, and further regulations may show up at a moments notice. So what do we do?In this episode, Bruce and I talk about how and why the FAA may divide the airspace and what arguments they may make in order to further control it. We also talk about what we can do to fight against it.I hope that you enjoy it. This will obviously be a contentious one, so, as they say, let's keep it civil.Decoder with Nilay Patelhttps://www.theverge.com/22225238/trump-social-media-ban-platform-moderation-tech-regulation-daphne-keller-interview

Working for yourself is not for the faint of heart. It can lead to intense anxiety if things don't go well, and unease into the future because not much can be known all the time. But working for yourself has an allure that transcends these things. When you work for yourself you call the shots; you decide where the ship goes; you are your own boss and you answer to no one else. That is a powerful thing, indeed.Lexie Jansen (MaiOnHigh) and Gab707 (of DRL fame) have both worked for themselves for a while, now. They “hustle” on the daily, and they “rise and grind” all year long. But they do so because they love it.In this conversation we talk about what it's like to work for yourself. We talk about the challenges and trials they face regularly. And when it's all said and done, neither one would have it any other way.You can find Lexie here: https://www.youtube.com/user/MaiOnHighInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maionhigh/ You can find Gab here: https://www.youtube.com/user/Gab707Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gab707_fpv/ Gab's 1MM view flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pSKo2N8WGY&t=5sCreator Spotlight today is Optimize Drone: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd6nRZXtxfvoaEFQg8t5AZg0:00 Lexie is kidnapped11:20 Spanish Mafia Skit57:14 Interview Intro5:17:25 What pushed you to go full-time?13:16:04 Who did you seek wisdom from?19:09:11 What is the best thing about notoriety (or is there a good thing about it)?33:25:27 Since you work for yourself, how do you keep motivated?45:28:26 How do you diversify your income streams and is there one that is more stable than others?59:40:25 Is there a consistent income stream that allows you to branch out creatively?01:08:11:02 What are the things that keep you up at night?01:15:12:17 What wisdom would you tell anyone that wants to go down this path?

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollinsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichaelrollinsshow/ (@themichaelrollinsshow)With the delivery of the FAA Remote ID rule the foreseeable future of FPV has been defined, but the writing has been on the wall for a while now. While we all hope that some way will be made available for us to continue flying the ways that we have grown to love, it's always wise to be prepared. A few folks have started pushing innovation into the sub-250g space. Tommy Tabija (Ummagawd) and Bob Roogi (KababFPV) are two of the folks with the most coherent ideas on how to get HD footage in something resembling modern FPV flight with a sub-250g package.The truly intriguing thing is that Tommy and Bob are approaching it from the exact opposite ends. Tommy wants to get to 249.9g and still have a 5” quad, while Bob has started as small and light as he can and is working up. The results of both of their efforts are truly fascinating.You can find Tommy here:https://www.youtube.com/c/ummagawdFPVhttps://ummagawd.com/You can find Bob here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4yjtLpqFmlVncUFExoVjiQhttps://fpvcycle.com/Extra information from the episode:Bob's Tiny Drone: https://youtu.be/T6OBImq09dERDQ Fighting the FAA: https://www.racedayquads.com/pages/faa-legal-battle-to-save-fpvUnsolvable Math Problem: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-unsolvable-math-problem/FAA sub-250g Part 107 Rule is unconfirmed

You can find my Patreon at:https://patreon.com/michaelrollinsKevin Haelterman is one of the two cofounders of LuGus Studios, the creator of LiftOff. Kevin and I chat at length about the values that FPV simulators bring to FPV, especially in the current times when getting together in person is incredibly difficult.FPV simulators do more than just help you fly better. They allow new pilots to get their start. They allow entire communities to hang out virtually. They allow racing to happen asynchronously. They give a creative outlet to those that want to do more than just fly.

Boris B is the creator of Betaflight. Forked from Cleanflight, Betaflight has become the predominant FPV flight controller firmware. Boris, as the creator, lead and one of the primary contributors, had an incredible hand in creating the flight experience that we have today. In this interview he talks about what led him to create Betaflight, how he had a hand in innovating not only FC firmware, but also other things in flight we take for granted now-a-days.The support of my patrons helps keep these interviews coming. You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins

For everything we do, especially the things we love, there is a pay off. That pay off, or set of pay offs, keeps you coming back for more, even in the face of adversity. In FPV drone flying we spend precious time building, tuning and flying FPV drones, but we also smash them into things at high speeds. Which means we have to go back to building.And yet, for all of that, we still fly. Even if it's over and over, we still fly.Nurk and I explore why we do and the things that keep us going.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Nurk here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPCc4i_lIw-fW9oBXh6yTnw

Mr. Steele and I sit down to talk about using FPV drones as a means of obtaining awesome and unique shots in films. The practice of using FPV Drones in serious videography is new and is still gaining acceptance, but it is likely here to stay. Steele opens up about what it's like, what crazy things he's done, what gear he brings and how much he likes it. Hope you enjoy!You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Mr Steele here (as if you don't already follow him):https://www.youtube.com/user/MrSteeledavis

Thomas Bitmatta has been flying RC since he was 12. He's now 20. Back around 2014 he switched over to quads and fell in love with that as his main type of flying. He initially just enjoyed the racing until one day he took one lap in a three lap race against the best pilot in the area. That turned something on in his brain and he realized he wanted to be better. The next few months saw him progress rapidly until he ended up in Dubai.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Thomas here:https://www.youtube.com/user/teamkoryotkdhttps://www.youtube.com/user/BMSWEB

Thomas Bitmatta has been flying RC since he was 12. He's now 20. Back around 2014 he switched over to quads and fell in love with that as his main type of flying. He initially just enjoyed the racing until one day he took one lap in a three lap race against the best pilot in the area. That turned something on in his brain and he realized he wanted to be better. The next few months saw him progress rapidly until he ended up in Dubai.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Thomas here:https://www.youtube.com/user/teamkoryotkdhttps://www.youtube.com/user/BMSWEB

David "Skidoosh" Andrews knows and has flown with people all over the world. He lives in China (near Wuhan in the Hubei province) and has been flying FPV for a LONG time. You know what? It turns out that the FPV community is awesome, and he has lived that to its fullest. From being a sponsored racer to knowing all of the industry leaders, Skidoosh has managed to see the absolute awesomeness and joy of this community.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Skidoosh here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVg12qrgjogSPA_C1eUAyoQ

Evan Turner, aka HeadsupFPV, has taken the MultiGP Drone Nationals for two consecutive years. In this episode he recounts his progression from having his name put on the map at Sebring to taking the Nationals for the first time in 2018 to winning again in 2019. One thing he notes is that the competition is only getting better and times are only getting faster and tighter. Oh, and Vanover is both his friend and his nemesis. The amicable competitive nature of their relationship spurs both of them on to be better.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Evan Turner here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSfT16YYug053yF8eFNNefghttps://flyfive33.com/Instagram: @flyfive33Instagram: @headsupfpvFacebook: Evan Turner

Evan Turner, aka HeadsupFPV, has taken the MultiGP Drone Nationals for two consecutive years. In this episode he recounts his progression from having his name put on the map at Sebring to taking the Nationals for the first time in 2018 to winning again in 2019. One thing he notes is that the competition is only getting better and times are only getting faster and tighter. Oh, and Vanover is both his friend and his nemesis. The amicable competitive nature of their relationship spurs both of them on to be better.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Evan Turner here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSfT16YYug053yF8eFNNefghttps://flyfive33.com/Instagram: @flyfive33Instagram: @headsupfpvFacebook: Evan Turner

National Suicide Prevention Hotline (US): 1-800-273-8255https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/If I ever meet Chad Nowak's friend Mark or his partner Candice, I will shake their hands and give them a huge hug. You see, Mark and Candice are one of the reasons we still have Chad with us today. In this episode Chad and I share about our struggles with mental health. Both of us talk about times we struggled with not only depression but also thoughts and plans of suicide. This one is heavy, folks. It's not "about" FPV, but we should all be aware that there are many around us in this community that are having a hard time or even suffering. Love on those people, it's one thing we can do.If you are struggling, please, please reach out. You may not feel relevant, or like you're a burden. You may not feel like continuing on or that no one will miss you. You're wrong and the world would be a much sadder place without you.As I consider my own struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide from the place where I am now I realize all of the things that I would have missed out on. My children, my wife, the magic of FPV, the wild ride I've had on YouTube. From the dark place you may be it seems impossible that the future could possibly exist, and even if it does it's full of misery and suffering.That is not the truth. The time and the moment are hard, but life is out there waiting for you. Stick around to see it.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Chad here:https://www.youtube.com/user/FinalGlideAus

Throughout this 4th season of DRL the question that everyone has been asking is whether or not Alex Vanover had what it takes to become the DRL World Champion. As it turns out, the answer is a resounding "yes". Alex and I talk about that final race, what it took to get there, whether the younger generation has an advantage over the older generation, and a whole lot more. Congratulations Alex, you deserve it.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Alex Vanover here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV5_FNKj1x-EB4dGTUTltHA

Vik Lanning, aka Vik FPV, is well acknowledged as one of the best out there. In an era when flight videos don't get many views, Vik consistently pulls in thousands of views for each of the videos he posts. In this video we talk about his origins, what inspired him to fly, and about the complexity of some of the modern software as it applies to configuring today's hardware.Skitzo's F3 Expo run:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRmlX6rrs2wYou can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Vik FPV here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRdj6is6pLRH9nFmsvj7Mwhttps://www.instagram.com/vik_fpv/

In this episode, Angela Jacques and I talk about the FPV culture of Mexico. In a lot of ways it's very different from the US culture. Angela had a very unique and also terrifying experience while flying. However, in a lot of ways things are the same: the passion; the excitement; and the commitment of to the community.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Angela Jacques here:https://www.youtube.com/user/Adoptables100https://www.facebook.com/LittleAflies/http://fpvracing.mx/

I've had the privilege of speaking to several women in FPV, both on camera and off. There is a nearly consistent story of abuse and anger targeted at them that pervades their existence in the FPV community. Little Stellar Fox, aka Jamie Ann, talks about that, what the experience is like and how it shapes her interactions with the FPV community.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Little Stellar Fox (aka Jamie Ann) here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClrcFfeLvgXwyFtmjXxbTkwhttps://www.patreon.com/littlestellarfox

Bruce Simpson, well known for his RCModelReviews and his XJet channels, makes 100% of his living off of YouTube and Patreon. Both income sources are critical to him and without either he'd be in a tight spot. There is one income source, though, that would exceed both of them together and that is affiliate links. However, Bruce has stood on the principle that he doesn't want a hint of anyone questioning his integrity. As a result, he foregoes all affiliate income.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins You can find Bruce here:https://www.youtube.com/user/xjethttps://www.youtube.com/user/RCModelReviews

Zoe went from winning the first AMA sanctioned event in the US to a disastrous set of runs due to equipment problems in Drone Nationals. In this episode we hear about the early days of racing, about the infighting of the leagues, and about how that infighting set the sport of drone racing back and may effect it to this day.You can find Zoe here:https://www.youtube.com/user/ZoeFullThrottlezoe@outcastdroneworks.comhttps://outcastdroneworks.com

"How would you like to rebuild 600 drones?" Jordan rightly points out in our this segment that the Tech Ops team for DRL are the unsung heroes of the league. They have to manage, and often rebuild, 600 drones during and after an event, sometimes with only a week or two to spare. Jordan also talks about "the grind", the practice that's required to compete in DRL. Putting pack after pack in for hours on end just to stay competitive.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollinsYou can find Jordan here:https://www.project399.com/https://www.instagram.com/jet.fpv/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3NlhIujLgJdZD2T2YOLkCQ

Chad Nowak walked into his boss's office sometime around the beginning of 2016, put a letter on his desk and quit his job of 18 years. He then went on to become a founding cast member of Rotor Riot and live for the next two years off of his savings. He never formally held a job at Rotor Riot, but was instead a pilot. His trips were paid for, his gear was provided by sponsors, but he never drew a paycheck.You can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollinsYou can find Chad Nowak here:https://www.youtube.com/user/FinalGlideAushttps://www.instagram.com/finalglideaus/https://www.facebook.com/pumkin.head.33

In our first interview Alex Vanover (aka CaptianVanover) predicted that he would win DRL hands down. His prediction was based on the sheer metrics, what's on paper, that he is faster than all of the other pilots, at least on paper. And while he went on to win Level 1, he did NOT win Level 2. We talk about why and about what it was like to lose by a hair's breadth.You can find Alex here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV5_FNKj1x-EB4dGTUTltHAYou can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins

There is a real process when it comes to Paul Nurkkala becoming the DRL Champion Nurk. Paul goes through that process with us in this segment of the interview. His ritual is very, very intense.You can find Paul in these placeshttps://www.youtube.com/c/nurkfpvhttp://nurk.tv Links to YouTubehttp://paulnurkkala.com Contact and miscellaneous https://www.instagram.com/nurkfpv/Contribute to my Patreon to help further these interviews:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins

What would you say if you had 200 people ask you a question EVERY DAY? Joshua Bardwell says "I need to build a bigger business!" Joshua Bardwell has been full-time FPV YouTubing for almost 2 years and his numbers and revenue keep growing. In this video he gives a master's class on how to think of YouTube as a business and how to grow your revenue day-in-and-day-out.You can find Joshua's YouTube channel here:https://www.youtube.com/user/loraanYou can find Joshua's Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/thedroneracingengineerYou can find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins

Benoit Finck, aka Fincky, puts out some of the most creative FPV videos around. You've seen his videos even if you don't know it. The Dojo video where the drone flies through all of the flipping Judo students, that was Fincky.Benoit comes to us from France today and talks about his origin story as well as how he edits. The simple techniques he uses are good for all of us to take in. Watch on for the entirety!Benoit Finck's Channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/BeuhnoixMy Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins

Welcome to the Michael Rollins Show. Today I'm bringing you the one, the only, Mr. Steele! Mr. Steele is a legend in the drone industry. Probably all of you have seen him and know who he is.But how many of you know his perspective behind the creation of Rotor Riot? How many of you know how much he got paid for Rotor Riot? Because he covers all of that in this segment of the interview. I hope that you are pumped and ready to hear what he has to say!I'd like to take a moment to say that I'm excited to offer the full Steele interview in its audio format for the very first time on my Patreon. As a $3 Patreon subscriber you will start getting access to all of the fully edited interviews that I do. You can hear the whole interview before all of the segments are out on YouTube and you can listen to it in your favorite podcast app.You can find Mr. Steele here:https://www.youtube.com/user/MrSteeledavisYou can also find my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/michaelrollins