Originally developed as a military technology, the use of drones or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) has recently become popular as a recreational activity. Of course, it was only a matter of time before people started to race their drones. Drone racing is now a common recreational activity in which operators compete to fly their drones around a set course as fast as possible.
Racing drones use FPV (first person view) technology to create a fully immersive experience. Operators wear goggles outfitted with cameras that stream a live feed from the drones’ point of view, giving the operator the feeling of sitting right in the cockpit. If you’re interested in drone racing, here are some important things you should know about this exciting and innovative pastime.
FPV Racing Leagues
Drone racing started as an amateur sport in Australia during the early 2010s. The sport quickly spread across the globe, establishing more standardize guidelines as it developed. FPV racing leagues are organizations that regulate and enforce the rules for drone racing to make sure that all races are fair. The World Air Sports Federation, the world’s governing air sports organization, has created rules for drone racing and sanctions different FPV racing leagues.
The first annual U.S. National Drone Racing Championship was held at the California State Fair in 2015. The 2016 MultiGP Championships, scheduled for this September, is the world’s largest drone racing competition, bringing in competitors from all around the globe. Contact your local FPV racing league for more information about how to register as a drone race pilot.
How to Get Started Racing Your Drone
Learning how to fly a drone can be a rewarding experience. It is recommended that beginner pilots start flying without using the FPV equipment. This practice will allow you to see your drone from an outside perspective so you can get an idea of how it maneuvers in the sky. Once you feel comfortable flying your drone, put on your FPV goggles for a truly immersive experience. Your FPV goggles will take you off the ground and into the sky with a direct camera feed to what your drone is seeing in the air. Using your FPV equipment, practice navigating your drone around obstacles such as trees and buildings.
Drone racing is an exciting new development in airborne reactional sports. With advancements in FPV technology, drone pilots can feel like they’re really in the sky. Get in on the ground floor of this innovation new technology with your own FPV racing drone. For more information about the development of drone technology, contact us today at OmniView Tech.