Mr. Steele talks ROTOR RIOT

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 KZbin and you can listen to it in your favorite podcast app.
You can find Mr. Steele here:
/ mrsteeledavis
You can also find my Patreon here:
/ michaelrollins

[@allennickles3970]

I really dont think Mr Steel knows how much of a influence in FPV he has been.They are literally thousands of guys like myself. The very first video they actually watched was MrSteel video. I know at least for me thats the case! I been subbed to Mr Steel way before he even was close to having 100k subs! And it was his videos that first got me hooked big time! Then through his videos i found RR and everyone else! So hes definitely one of the main OG's of FPV. And one of the best pilots to ever touch the sticks. And i remember the Dubai freestyle contest! He was the one of the only pilots that actually done a real freestyle session. He should had been first place!!

[@TheHanutaXD]

He was the reason I started getting into FPV. I think his videos are amazing and fun to watch :)

[@DesignRobot_co]

He knows...

[@BrassStacks]

Same here. His building dives sealed the deal for me, and to this day I still think he's the best at flying low and fast. He has great rhythm and a flow that definitely stands out.

[@Timberjagi]

i personally think he was a influence for the older group of people in fpv. for the most they have no idea who he is

[@amareeberry670]

I just bot my drone frame

[@JasonMcFly]

Steele is and probably always will be, my favorite pilot. I like all the guys, but no one delivers more HOLY SH*T moments than Steele. Nobody.

[@clean1566]

Mr. Steele, I'm an old noob, and am watching all the videos from the last 5 years, learning how to fly, maintain, and program drones. Of course you can't help but come across all the personalities that were there from the beginning. I'm 69 years old, and always wanted to fly. Well, I couldn't believe all you Rotor Riot guys, and the flights you performed. It seems to me from watching videos, and you even said it yourself, you guys had chemistry, were having a genuinely fun time! I can look at life from this end, and I can tell you that the life experiences you had in those two years are irreplaceable. You talk about you're 24, living with parents, not making money to live. OK, but now you're what, 30?, and you seem to be doing OK financially now. Hell, I was 27 before I figured out what my dad was telling me was right, and did things to set myself up later in life. I honestly don't think you would give up those experiences, travel, camaraderie, and yes, the life experiences to help you grow. It worked, your here now making a living. You don't realize how lucky you are. It's 2 years out of how many? There are probably only about a dozen people in THE WORLD!!!, who have done those things. Tell me it wasn't a kick! You didn't have any fun, you regret ever meeting Chad.(I know about business and friendships, having had a business partnership with a friend). It just grates on me that having watched the videos, and being inspired to join the FPV community, that now I watch what are almost "sour grape" video interviews. You guys all need to put those life experiences in proper perspective. Life is one continuous learning experience, and I would've given my left nut to be in your shoes in those to years! Hell, I'ld almost give half my cock up for that, if it were 12 " long. You get my Point. Rejoice the GOOD TIMES as they were, and bury the negative vibes which don't help in furthering your life. Love your flying skills, and Happy Flying!!

[@jdc8352]

I hope you're still flying sir 👍

[@clean1566]

I am, thanks. Getting my head around ELRS, and HDZero! Glad to see Steele doing just fine with his life, and flying!@@jdc8352

[@JonE5FPV]

Wow. Amazing that this echos a lot of the speculation I made on the Droneconomics video about Rotor Riot. Cliffs notes: don’t work for free. Steele is very smart and figured out out and made it happen for himself. Young people take note of his hard work and focus.

[@Hyprmtr]

You should have mentioned Herve and Olivier. That single forest racing video inspired many people.

[@reptethetetlen]

That video made me build my first quad

[@GoodkatNW]

@@reptethetetlen Mind linking the video?

[@sallerc]

Agree. The complete link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKTbqoljoMyZn9E

[@qpmkro]

Me too

[@phortwunty]

100%. That video started it ALL for a ton of people. Instantly hooked after seeing that.

[@BorisBnow]

Nice story. Also interesting to see, where fpv is nowadays. For me it is almost 10 years ago where I started.

[@MichaelRollins]

Oh. My. God. It’s the man himself. Boris, please let me interview you. You are one of the most requested people I’ve had and I would absolutely love to get your side of history. You can reach me on FB Messenger or my name at gma1l.

[@BorisBnow]

@@MichaelRollins Let's do it!

[@dividingbyzerofpv6748]

Through out my FPV journey the one constant has been that Steele does indeed have a lot of interaction with the community and his fan base and it is greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the help and the perspective.

[@BMSWEB]

Awesome Interview, nice work Michael 👍

[@mariojenkins4389]

I Would love to see you on the show as well!

[@boactech3076]

You both 😋

[@HattashFpv]

Great video! I’m 12 and Mr Steele has inspired me to start a channel and post videos!

[@PowderMill]

🚁👍🏻🚁 Thank you !! Mr. Steele. You got me into the air and out of a life of crippling arthritis which has fused my spine into one segment. Thank you for renewed enjoyment in life !

[@YourLocalIceMan]

Mr. Steel is living the dream for sure. Glad he found what he was good at.

[@IrvingtonArms]

We get some FPV perspective ! Love Mr Steel.. The first FPV videos I ever watched were Mr Steel vlogs on transmitter mods. Can hardly wait for the next episode!

[@MichaelRollins]

Some of my earliest FPV memories are of him making crazy noises, lmao.

[@McLogo76]

Very interesting show! It's good to know that such young and talented ppl like Mr. Steele have helped FPV and also brands get big without getting paid in return. Looking forward to the next part(s).

[@MichaelRollins]

Getting paid isn't bad. It's quite essential, actually!

[@McLogo76]

@@MichaelRollins Especially when you do a good job and help others make money ;)

[@Buffetology]

Roto Riot is still badass... and so is Steele. Both are great contributions to FPV.

[@MichaelRollins]

I agree.

[@g-rod5199]

Awesome interview and I knew that the RR guys never really made money off of it, but didn't realize it was that hard from the beginning, they made so many videos and it was assumed by most that they made enough to take home. Thank you Steele, Novak, Charpu, and Tommy for getting it all started for RR and Kapper, your time and dedication has brought so many people into the sport and have aspirations of what to look for!

[@Zaris1021]

i used to skate back in my teens, broke my wrist... i used to snowboard back in my twenties.. broke my ankle (yes.. my ankle!) been in many bands, love video games, and im a tooling engineer.. i have the exact same thoughts when i went into fpv... it fits my life soo much.. instead of my body that hurts after a crash its my wallet

[@MichaelRollins]

Dude, an ankle break on a snow board has got to be bad. When I learned a looong time ago they still used step in bindings. I had a binding pop loose and the board was swinging around on my one foot. I was lucky to get out of that without and ankle break. And yeah, FPV provides that adrenaline rush, but instead of your body on the line it’s your money. And, all things considered, it’s not an insignificant amount, but not a ton, either.

[@esaedvik]

It's so damn sad to see money handled so bad in organizations...The Dubai thing was disgusting especially.

[@GTXgb-gt8lz]

Esa Edvik what Dubai thing?

[@gamblegambit]

@@GTXgb-gt8lz 28:00 mark

[@jackcolletta4171]

Well done interview, simple, ask a question and let the answer come out.

[@MichaelRollins]

I tried! ;) Steele likes to talk, so it's easy to sit back and listen.

[@boactech3076]

@@MichaelRollins Indeed. I like his story style 👍 Waiting for the next one 🙂

[@scottyfpv5651]

I feel you.. Traveling for work gets old real fast.

[@KLNYC]

I was right on my last last video comment :) Great interview.. Get MCK to your interview, Mike.. Do it! Do it!

[@MichaelRollins]

It's like you had ESP!

[@vojtechvejsicky1819]

Do it!

[@jlarson42]

Loved this interview with Steele, definitely one of my favorite Pilots. He rips a place like its nobody's business and has a blast doing it. And that Lotus is sweet. 💖🤓

[@3eggerfpv397]

That was real interesting! A good example of “things are not what they seem” as RR, as of late, would seem to still be going through company drama. Part of it being sold to RDQ, all their top pilots leaving, and listening to this, it would be for similar reasons for some of those other pilots. Gotta love Michael Rollins, never interrupts, he lets it all come out, then moves on, or digs deeper! Thank you, Michael!

[@arie1293]

Steele, I'm glad to know your story. In my mind you're like the Bruce Lee of FPV. And NOBODY can rock a pair of Hello Kitty Fat Sharks like you do man.

[@Dav2112]

Really enjoyed this. Looking forward to the next part of the interview. 🙂

[@MichaelRollins]

The whole thing was good. Great interviewee.

[@Dav2112]

Michael Rollins can’t wait for the next part even more now, it was Steele’s videos that got me into this hobby.

[@jamiemonkey1362]

Got to say great video. Mr Steele was a great influence on me when I started flying years ago and still is in my mind the man who sets the bar when it comes to freestyle.

[@x0DEAD]

@Mr.Steele is the reason I got into fpv. I'm still a Noob but I'm hooked for life. Thank you Steele!!

[@pyroman590]

Another awesome interview! Like many others, Steele is the reason I got into the hobby. It was a Miami building dive video for me.

[@MichaelRollins]

All dives matter!

[@pksteffen]

Charpu hooked me with a video for Tested about his Lumenier build. Steele helped cement it. Great stuff.

[@xORLOCKx]

Same with me. Charpu opened the world up to me. Steele made me fall in love with it

[@carpenterrick186]

Steel is THE MAN!!!!

[@MichaelRollins]

Did you ever see the dish orbits he did around those giant satellite dishes? I was shocked at how clean and good they were. 3--axis orbit.

[@CF_Joel]

I want to fly like Mr. Steele!

[@MichaelRollins]

Don't we all!

[@jessefpv9217]

I'll forever be grateful for Mr Steele. He got me into the hobby. Since his 5th video I've been here. Idc what anybody says about him I'll always have his back that's a fact

[@PowderMill]

🚁👍🏻🚁 Thank you !! Mr. Steele. You got me into the air and out of a life of crippling arthritis which has fused my spine into one segment. Thank you for renewed enjoyment in life ! ❤️ o… not THAT way! 😳🤣

[@ceegeefpv2676]

Nice interview Rollins 👍 Steele is a beast on the sticks ✌

[@jimmysandhu9586]

I looked into fpv and kinda moved back a step from it, then I saw this Steele dudes video “real life video game” and that just made me dive in, which means “I’ve watched a ton of other fpv pilots but this guy inspired me for sure” , look brahhh we all got bills to pay, go where you deserve to be in life and don’t let people jump on ur back to get to the top

[@steady747]

His performance in Dubai is what got me into FPV. That is the video I show people who have never seen FPV.

[@KrissKwaddFPV]

Wow, at the 21:00 the problem with todays Rotor Riot becomes totally clear... The RR team today just don't have that chemistry. It all feels, for me anyway forced, contrived & lack of honest screen precence & as a result not entertaining at all. The current team appears to be about the personalities having status in the FPV hierarchy that RR ultimately created while pushing their brand. Where as the original crew didn't have status in mind & were genuinely just a group of guys who weren't aware of status & just genuinely in the hobby having fun flying cool spots & being filmed. This not only created an awesome real chemistry with eachother, but the viewer as well. I understand that was pretty inevitable as RR went into the direction of manufacture & retail. Just never saw it like that until watching this.

[@Sombre____]

I'm aggree, everytime i watch a RR video, i feel than they try everything to sell me something. They are able to lie about things just to sell me new stuff. I don't like that. Alex is maybe the only guy who try to be honest when he fly.

[@Sombre____]

@@swg_fpv Yeah but it seem to be the only one "honest". I think than Joshua is a nice guy also but it's not the same. He is more a good samaritan ready to help everyone.

[@blooskyy7]

Fascinating to hear this interview and all the familiar names, having been into this hobby from the beginning. Mr Steele, Chad Nowak, Charpu and Juz deserve huge credit for the success of FPV and what it has grown into. And for RC in general Josh & Josh from Testflight were a brilliant duo. How the landscape has changed in such a short timeframe.

[@MRed-yt8kw]

Michael Rollins make dreams come true..Waiting for Mr Steele! Thanks to Michael Rollins for this show and thanks to Mr Steele for god like flying

[@monkfry]

KZbin suggested this guy one time for no reason “Mr. Steele” and I thought, what a pompous ass, I mean who the hell with that mustache right?!! Then I saw him fly. . . That was years ago, now I own a ton of gear and I still think he’s the greatest at freestyle. He’s definitely the one that made me fly. Oh right, then I was kinda pissed when he shaved that stash!! 😆 STEEL!!!!

[@LuukBilly]

Dude, I just love your interviews your gonna be a celebrity in the drone scene soon!

[@DawnHub666]

YES YES YES. I WONDERED IF IT WOULD HAPPEN . .

[@MichaelRollins]

It finally did.

[@FUFUFUFPV]

my hero!! its steele who made me fly!!

[@graydi66y]

A lot of these names including Steele and others that aren't mentioned or even big inspired me to fly and start making videos. In all reality... It keeps me alive. I make no money from it but it keeps me sane.

[@MPQuads237]

Finally I understand MrSteele. Thanks Michael.

[@wjfc1968]

Thank you Michael for the awesome interview. Mr. Steele is like a jedi ninja and a inspiration. Franko Flyer

[@ChadKapper]

Great interview. However, I wish you would have asked how many times he was offered to be paid... and how much. It would have been interesting to hear about the reasons he didn’t accept the pay that was offered. Anyone that accepted an official employee position with Rotor Riot was paid fairly, and as agreed upon. That’s how a business works.

[@MichaelRollins]

Thanks Chad. There are only so many questions I can know to ask going in. And yeah, I do know that the employees are paid. I think it's not well understood that pilots are not employees (or at least it hasn't been).

[@wongalahara8196]

Sounds like it's time for a new chad interview.

[@ChadKapper]

irfuel - I would be happy to do that.

[@PhreakinFPV]

@@ChadKapper GFY

[@GUILLERMO.NESPOlO]

@@MichaelRollins in the end i just care about the flying .....and steele its his own style . i wonder haw charpu its flying at the date if he is still flying ...

[@Krunked]

here for mr steele -- my hero :)

[@CyrusSmith66]

Hi from Germany. Great Interview. Exactly what i want to know. Excellent! Thank you.

[@SnapbackFPV]

Pretty cool to hear these stories. Nice work.

[@MichaelRollins]

Thank you! I enjoyed hearing them and listening.

[@TurboLife]

What a great episode! Can't wait for part two! I've been enjoying this series a lot!

[@xliver4]

Really interesting to hear what the industry was like back then. It sounds like some investors expected FPV to blow up quickly just like e-sports, so they formed a business, tried to grow too quickly by signing people on as "partners", didn't generate the expected income, and then burned their partners. Can't really say that I blame rotor riot too much. I do think that they wanted everything to turn out better than it did. With that being said, it's kind of obvious that FPV was never really going to blow up to the expected levels. 5" quads zipping around a track is awful as a live spectator sport. FPV itself is hard to get into due to the regulations + the cost. Once you do get into it, you're going to be spending money on repairs. It's fun as hell, but the market for it just isn't going to be big until some massive changes happen.

[@peterzingler6221]

Tbh im happy it's not easy to get into Fpv... Imagine 10ks of idiots flying high speed 5inch quads in crowded areas

[@xliver4]

Peter Zingler 100%. There's a fine balance though where growth is needed to push the hobby forward, but not so much growth where there's thousands of people trying to fly their quad over a highway or something stupid like that right after they get home from Best Buy

[@jeffgould5367]

OK Guys time to step up! Mike is doing a bang up job on all these interviews with the movers and shakers in our hobby and only 12 of us are supporting his work through Patreon. Please throw him a bone if you like his work(which I know you do)! Show a brother some love! I don't know Mike and he didn't ask me to write this.

[@flighttherapybullisticfpv133]

Steele is a RATM fan!?!? OMG.... my estimation of the man has instantly changed... does that make me a shitty person? Ive got a RATM tattoo on my forearm, favorite band of all time. On my last FPV trip i met MCK's team mate in the Kelowna airport... such a cool experience. His girlfriend spotted the drone on my backpack and dragged me over to him to talk lol

[@MrSteeleFPV]

Flight Therapy **BullisticFPV** 🤙🏼

[@hateeternalmaver]

Amazing interview, can't wait for the next part!

[@chrisgicky2215]

Love your show man.. real content beats overproduced flash any day.

[@slogan9105]

Lone Wolf, Get PAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@frequencygarden]

I can personally attest that he does not answer all of his dm's. I never expected a response due to his fame... but that was a little strange to hear at the end of this video. Rollins, keep it up dude! Im glad your channel is taking off!

[@MichaelRollins]

Thanks man. It’s been a wild ride so far but I suspect the wilder part is to come.

[@MrSteeleFPV]

Frequency Garden what you got my dude. I try

[@frequencygarden]

@@MrSteeleFPV no worries. the only reason I remember is because it was a heart-felt message. You came to Houston but my son was in the hospital so I couldn't come visit. All I could really do is write a message and hope you got it.

[@CentroidAerialImages]

Catching up on some of your vids. Nice work and thanks for sharing this. Just learning about Mr. Steele and just subscribed to him. Thanks for the info.

[@illicit_fpv8208]

Most interesting FPV interview I’ve seen yet.

[@mhoovair89]

Favorite show with my favorite pilot let’s fuckin gooooo

[@MichaelRollins]

Let's goooooooooooooooooo! My sales VP says this all the time!

[@FlyerTuck]

Changed my opinion of Mr. Steel. He's a purd-e gud guy...

[@AKtoTok]

Dang relate in so many ways to what steele was saying about skating, music, and then fpv as a positive outlet 🙏

[@tripalong]

the energy of the flight, the music trax within the video, and the boss flying. Just like a skate video for me and that is why I put together my first drone. I was mesmerized and haven't gotten that feeling for a long time prior. Very very distinct feeling and he nailed it with words.

[@jeffreestylefpv5907]

another great one mr. leno !!! im so glad RR didn't snuff your show out and the interviews are were they should be . good job dude !

[@lukebentley1341]

WOW! A bit of insight id never expect from steele. Mind blown 🤯

[@InconsistentTechDad]

I honestly don't think that I have ever clicked on a video so fast... How have I not found this before!?

[@weeally46]

The good old days.

[@x-forcefpv9620]

Great interview Michael! Storytime with Mr. Steele is always a pleasure to listen too. I would also love to hear from Chad Nowak and Chad Kapper.

[@itsrenatoc]

Amazing! He's superb! I am a beginner and I started to search about fpv due to a sick footage made by Mr. Steel. He will be my inspiration for ages.

[@yannickg6904]

No time to watch this right now, but I've been hoping for this interview for a while!

[@MichaelRollins]

It’s a good one.

[@BigDFPV]

That was great to hear. It's nice to know what really happened, rather then listening to rumors. Great interview, subbed.

[@orbitaldrive]

4:56 - Lag for emphasis

[@mikegrimsley9017]

Wow! 13K views!!!!!! New record man!

[@MichaelRollins]

In that time frame, absolutely.

[@cowboydestroy]

Mr steel dropping the truth about film sets

[@mathewstreet]

Same with me, I stopped as I got tired of running races and not flying and now back in but back as hobbie only and flying freestyle only. Time to get to flying and skill level up.

[@mathewstreet]

I still have my picture with Mr. Steele at the Dubai qualifier.

[@chriscrashfpv]

been waiting a long time for this series! Steele is the man!

[@user-pwfus]

Mr Steele you are the man and will always be the man when it comes to FPV freestyle..........I just wish you flew smaller quads like 3inch 4s and 4inch 6s ;)

[@mfpv_detroit8182]

Great interview

[@MichaelRollins]

Thanks man! When are you going to come on the show. As of now you have a standing invitation!

[@warpo007]

Mr Steele taught me I'm a mere mortal who can't FPV..

[@philthayer4087]

By chance I meet him at the Nationals on Governors Island couple years back! Got home and started ordering!

[@silentseawolf]

Thanks for the interview, welcome to the responsibilities of life. You did something you enjoy for years, but made no money at it. Most everyone else does something they don't enjoy to make money. Now that you have been taken advantage of, you will see it coming next time.

[@GUILLERMO.NESPOlO]

hey film industry its like that for the people that not work in film industry , cause u are there just to do your special trick and thats it ....but the real crew its a non stop working from the moment u show up until u leave ...

[@barbsfpv3066]

Guillermo Nespolo He covered that when he said that if he messed it up it was going to take them four hours to set up the scene again. Somebody has to be doing that work.

[@MichaelRollins]

Yeah, I don't think anyone meant to imply that there is no hard work on a set. I think that people hear FPV + Set and think the pilot is the hero.

[@GUILLERMO.NESPOlO]

@@barbsfpv3066 does not work like that , and when u have a scene where u have one shot only ..for shure u not use one camera only ....( film its my work since i was 17 and now im 46 )

[@killacovertops]

I never knew you were up to this till now man. Thanks for this interesting and fulfilling info man. Will def keep up with your stuff now haha. Thanks :D

[@muchthump]

Another amazing score of an interview.! Would love to see one with the pilot that personally inspired me to jump into FPV, Nurk.

[@MichaelRollins]

I'd definitely interview Nurk.

[@gqp3215]

Nurk would be good next

[@jayward7536]

If it wasnt for youtube none of these guys would be known this hobby would not be as big as it is now and would not exist .

[@MichaelRollins]

Probably true for a lot of things.

[@jdc8352]

That's how I stumbled onto it 👊💪

[@wongalahara8196]

Been waiting on this one!

[@MichaelRollins]

Me too.

[@Ozem_Israel]

True story, I first got into quads while searching for collective pitch copters. MrSteele came up in the search, hooked. And as a bonus they didn't cost 1 million bucks 😗

[@FPVEvilMunkey]

Great interview Mike. Mr. Steele is a great guy.

[@Rcschim]

sorry, cant hold back this silly comment: "please get HENRY Rollins" on your show! :) Now continuing to watch the vid :)

[@slartbartfast]

When Steele talks about the pilot around 10:00 which is out of control good, who is him?

[@MichaelRollins]

Minchan Kim

[@Corin11]

Minchan Kim, he's probably the #1 racer in the world kzbin.info/door/FJdwOewIZBv3dDJmhtVn1g here is his page

[@kowabungafpv]

Fascinating! Another great one Mike!

[@chanceconway5082]

So....This is the first video I've watched of yours and the reason I clicked on it was because it looked like a long-form-podcast-style video...Podcasts are becoming huge man, even on KZbin...I would definitely feel more inclined to watch more if your videos were in Podcast form...

[@Stonely1974]

Mr Steele is just like Leon from The Professional (the movie). Some how, one day he realized he needs to get paid for all the hard work. No one works for free and its not cool to not pay anyone who had done a good job!

[@bernhard8540]

I hope steele keeps advancing in quad parts that work right like his motors and etc.. hes good with that stuff for sure :) he's a cool dude love his content it's how I found this video

[@FPVrare]

this interview makes me know more about my idol Mr. Steele! a very good interview thou michael make me sub. more this kind idea plz.

[@QuadFarm]

I like Steele more the more I learn about him.

[@Narnald_Ewman]

Love the interviews! I just want go ahead and save you from having to ask..... I am available for an interview always.

[@jeffcviews]

Props to Mr.Steele man 💪🏽real solid dude right there

[@danialgarratt504]

Great video, I remember that interview when the rotor riot/steele split happened. That was horrible to watch, this was much more natural. Thanks

[@MichaelRollins]

Time. It makes things easier sometimes.

[@nothingnew69]

Steel, tommy, chad N , and charpu. These guys were my inspiration. Those lolly pop pilots weren't around yet. The bubble gum boys came after I started.