Academy / Drone Piloting: Advanced Techniques

Advanced Maneuvers and Techniques for Expert Drone Pilots

Split-S Maneuver

The Split-S is the reverse of the Immelmann Turn and is often used to quickly drop altitude and change direction. It's a staple in drone racing for descending through gates or avoiding obstacles at high speeds.

How to Perform a Split-S:

1. Fly Forward: Begin flying straight and at a moderate speed.
2. Half-Roll: Roll the drone 180 degrees (right stick to the left or right) so that it is upside down.
3. Pull Back on Pitch: Pull back on the right stick to pitch the drone backward, completing the second half of the loop and returning to level flight in the opposite direction.

Example:

The Split-S is useful when you’re flying toward an obstacle and need to quickly descend and reverse direction. It’s also a dramatic move in cinematic drone shots to create swooping motions while changing altitude.