This post is also available in:
עברית (Hebrew)
Remote-controlled aircraft have become increasingly capable, but most designs still keep pilots at a distance. Even with onboard cameras, the experience is usually about recording smooth aerial footage rather than actively flying from the aircraft’s perspective. For hobbyists seeking a deeper sense of control and awareness, that gap has remained largely unaddressed.
A new RC platform aims to change that by putting the pilot inside the aircraft. Unveiled at CES 2026, the X-Wing Fighter is a VTOL-capable radio-controlled aircraft designed around a first-person cockpit experience. Instead of treating the camera as a passive accessory, the system uses it as the primary interface between pilot and aircraft, turning flight into an immersive, real-time experience.
At the core of the design is a forward-facing camera that streams live video directly to FPV goggles. This provides a continuous cockpit view during takeoff, transition, and forward flight. Head tracking is integrated into the system, allowing pilots to naturally look around while airborne rather than relying on fixed viewpoints. The result is closer to piloting an aircraft than operating a traditional drone from the ground.
According to Interesting Engineering, situational awareness is further enhanced through a built-in radar function. During group flights, the radar allows pilots to detect and track other aircraft in the airspace, supporting formation flying and simulated combat scenarios. Multiple users can fly together, sharing the same virtual environment and interacting in ways that go beyond casual proximity.
Control remains familiar. The aircraft is flown using a standard RC transmitter, preserving the tactile feel and precision that experienced hobby pilots expect. There is no proprietary controller or simplified interface, reinforcing the platform’s positioning as a hobby-grade aircraft rather than a consumer toy. The FPV goggles also serve as a recording device, capturing footage directly from the pilot’s viewpoint without external cameras.
From a defense and security perspective, the underlying concepts are noteworthy; first-person flight, head-tracked viewing, and shared situational awareness mirror training elements used in military aviation and unmanned systems operations. While this platform is intended for civilian use, similar technologies are central to operator training, human-machine teaming, and simulation environments where immersion and spatial awareness matter.
The system has undergone several years of refinement, with iterative updates informed by testing and user feedback. Future plans include expanding competitive features, such as visible hit indicators and scoring systems, to support structured air-battle simulations.
By prioritizing immersion and pilot awareness over cinematic output, the system reflects a shift in RC design philosophy. It suggests that the next evolution in hobby aviation may be less about what the aircraft records—and more about how it feels to fly it.
