FPV Runs and Tinkering Spirit: Traxxas Slash at Lansdowne Airport

In the world of RC enthusiasts, few moments match the thrill of seeing your rig fly down an open runway, camera rolling, with the horizon stretching out ahead. That was the vibe when I took my Traxxas Slash 2WD out to Bronson Family Farm at Lansdowne Airport (04G) on Youngstown's east side—a place where the runway is active but rarely used, bordered by a quiet stand of trees and plenty of open space to push boundaries.

This wasn’t just a test run. It was a celebration of community, creativity, and a little bit of chaos. The Slash was a generous donation from Jim Doyle, who passed it along complete with a Futaba 4PLS radio and R304SB receiver. What we did with it after that turned it into something more than just a fast RC truck.

📦 The Build

Before we even set wheels on the runway, we got busy.

• FPV: We installed a RunCam Spotter V2 5.8g Micro AIO, giving me a true pilot’s-eye view.

• Lighting: Two strips of waterproof blue LEDs were mounted under the chassis, turning dusk runs into something out of a sci-fi movie.

• Audio: An $8 Bluetooth speaker, rehomed from its bargain-bin origins, became the soundtrack to the Slash’s runs.

On video, you’ll catch me toggling between driving from behind the wheel and immersing myself in the FPV footage. The transitions were smooth—until they weren’t. I got stuck in the grass once, lost traction, and had to trudge out to retrieve the rig. Then there were the rolls on the taxiway, moments that made us laugh out loud as we watched the Slash pop back up, ready for more.

🎥 Capturing the Action

It was just me and Anthony at Lansdowne that day, and we made it count. Anthony handled camera duties while I piloted the Slash, getting as close to real racing as possible. The footage—capturing speed runs, crashes, and recovery—is now live:

With its wide-open space and tree-lined edges, Lansdowne felt like the perfect playground. Though it’s a live runway, its infrequent use gave us the room to run, recover, and laugh without feeling rushed. The natural setting, the buzz of electronics, and the occasional glint of LED lights flashing against the backdrop of open sky created an unforgettable scene.

🔩 Tinkering Mindset

The spirit of this run wasn’t just about speed. It was about embracing the tinkerer’s mindset: taking what we have and making it better, flashier, more fun. The Slash wasn’t just a truck on a track—it was a project, a playground for creativity.

Jim’s generosity got us started, and from there, we layered on our own ideas. The underbody lighting, Bluetooth audio, and FPV camera weren’t just add-ons—they were declarations of what’s possible with a little ingenuity and a few budget-friendly components.

🕹️ Looking Ahead: The Steering Wheel Upgrade

As fun as the Lansdowne run was, it’s just the beginning. The next phase of this project takes us beyond traditional controls and into the realm of gaming steering wheel control.

The beta is already live on GitHub, where we’re integrating a standard gaming steering wheel with microcontroller upgrades to give the Slash a new level of responsiveness and immersion.

Imagine sitting in front of a screen, gripping a familiar racing wheel, and watching your RC truck mimic your every turn, acceleration, and brake input. It’s not just about making the Slash faster—it’s about making the experience richer, more connected, and more thrilling.

📸 A Day to Remember

The day at Lansdowne was a testament to what makes the RC hobby so special. It wasn’t about the biggest budget, the fanciest gear, or even the cleanest runs (as my rolls and grass rescues can attest). It was about the joy of tinkering, the camaraderie of shared creativity, and the unshakable drive to build something memorable.

The Slash will be back—with the gaming wheel upgrade and a few more surprises in the works. Until then, this run is a reminder of how far a little creativity and a lot of heart can take you.