BETAFPV Pavo Femto is a Tiny Drone That Flies Big, Equipped with a DJI 04 Air Unit

A drone so small it can sit on your finger, the BETAFPV Pavo Femto rewrites the rules of micro quads. At 75mm across and 35g without battery or camera, it’s under the 250g FAA threshold even with everything on. That’s lighter than an AirPods case and packs a high definition punch that rivals drones 4x its size.

Building the Pavo Femto feels like assembling a model rocket for the 21st century. It arrives as a Plug-N-Play kit with the frame, motors and flight controller and you install the DJI O4 Air Unit and receiver. It’s an hour of connecting tiny wires and slotting in shock absorbing mounts, a process that rewards patience with a deeper connection to the machine. This hands on approach isn’t just for hobbyists who enjoy tinkering; it’s for modularity and easy repairs and future upgrades in the crash prone world of FPV flying.

Flight performance defies logic for something this small. LAVA 1102 14000KV brushless motors and 40mm 3 blade props and the Femto has a 6.75:1 thrust to weight ratio. That is enough to propel it through confined areas like a dragonfly. On a 2S 450mAh battery, it can fly for 4-5 minutes, which is similar to larger drones weighing twice as much. Indoors, it weaves among furniture with precision. Outside, it can withstand calm weather, but heavy gusts force it to quiver like a leaf. Adjusting the flight controller settings, such as increasing exposure on the sticks, smoothes out the reactivity and makes it feel more nimble and controlled.

Video is where the Femto really comes alive. The DJI O4 Air Unit is a standalone module designed for low latency digital transmission and captures footage sharp enough to be shown on a big screen. Unlike the grainy analog feeds of older micro drones, this system delivers a clear 4K image, stabilized by shock absorbing mounts that reduce the jello effect during aggressive flying. The trade off is some oversharpening in the recorded footage and some users report minor jello that’s more the camera than the drone itself. But being able to record high definition video in a package this small is a game changer and opens up possibilities for everything from indoor real estate tours to chasing chickens in your backyard.

Battery life is the only thing that keeps you grounded. Five minutes of flight time disappears fast when you’re zipping through obstacles or exploring a new space. The 2S power system is a good balance between performance and weight, but going 3S would tip the scales too far. Instead the Femto leans into its lightweight design and prioritizes simplicity and portability.

Durability is another surprise. The ducted frame protects the propellers and boosts efficiency, the sturdy build shrugs off crashes that would splinter other drones. The battery compartment is tight but holds the recommended 550mAh pack securely, so it doesn’t come loose during flips and rolls.

For pilots, the Pavo Femto is a mix of accessibility and ambition. Its small size and no registration requirements make it an easy entry point for newbies, the digital video system and responsive flight dynamics will satisfy seasoned FPV enthusiasts. The O4 Air Unit signal strength is up to 700mW so you get a reliable connection even when you’re flying far away, like buzzing past an old excavator in your backyard. It’s a drone that encourages you to push boundaries, whether you’re flying tight corners or capturing footage that’s way beyond its weight class.
[Source]