RACING DRONES
One of the fastest-growing segments in the multirotor world, racing quads are literally flying off the shelves and pilots are gathering at makeshift racecourses in remote spots to compete. Today, there are even high-end races being highlighted on the ESPN Sports cable channels. These racers follow the course through gates, and to make it even more exciting, there are some very small openings that must be navigated, all while being timed by the clock. Let’s check out what it takes to race these fast little quads!
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
FPV racing involves flying a multirotor by viewing the flight from the multirotor itself. Fullsize aircraft do this all the time because the pilot is actually sitting in the cockpit. Drone racing uses a camera and video transmitter built into the drone to send video instantaneously to the pilot’s monitor or to FPV goggles the pilot wears.
These small quads can really take a hit, even cartwheeling along the ground, and after you replace a few props, they are ready for the next heat. A durable quad is a definite requirement. When you first try FPV racing, three things will happen: you’ll bang up your drone a lot, you’ll be replacing a lot of props, and from your very first flight, you will be hooked. Let’s take a look at what’s needed.
THE QUAD
The first requirement is a race machine, and a 250mmsize bird is just the ticket. It costs as little as $15 and can go all the way up to $300. Get the best one you can afford; quality counts, and $100–$200 quads usually have a nice thick carbonfiber frame that can stand up to the abuse of FPV racing. The frame protects all of the internal parts, which could easily add up to more than the cost of the frame. Plastic or thin carbonfiber frames will shatter when they hit something (trees do always seem to get in the way), and once that frame goes, all the internal parts tend to follow in the destruction. Thick booms/arms are another thing to look for as they offer some protection to the motors hanging out on their ends. One common thing that tends to happen when you’re first learning to fly FPV is flying your quad too close to the ground at full speed. This can lead to some spectacular cartwheels as the drone rapidly slows down. Quads with thick arms tend to fare much better.
RADIO
You can use whichever brand you prefer, but you’ll need at least four channels. Six channels are better; a 6channel radio lets you set up various flight modes. Many race pilots fly without any GPS assistance or automatic stabilization. This allows the quad to be very maneuverable and hold the heading it is put into. Once pushed into forward flight, the quad maintains that angle, so the pilot only has to concentrate on guiding it through the racecourse and navigating through the small openings.
The required FPV equipment consists of a small video camera mounted on the front of the quad. Be sure to use one with as wide a view as possible without distortion. Many racing quads are designed so that the camera is protected, so don’t be afraid to invest in a quality FPV system.
AIRBORNE TRANSMITTER
The FPV camera is connected to a transmitter aboard the quad that relays, in real time, the video signal to a ground station, which the pilot monitors. ImmersionRC 600mW 5.8GHz transmitters are a popular choice for pro racers, and many pilots add some type of circular or mushroom antenna to make sure that the signal is continuous and strong to create a good visual link between the camera and pilot. A semiflexible antenna is a good addition; it will flex instead of breaking off.
GROUND CONTROL
Most pilots use FPV goggles (Fat Shark units are a popular choice) to convert the video signal into a heads-up display of what the quad sees. High-quality goggles will improve your vision and make it easier to guide your drone through the racecourse. Goggles block out light and make it easier for you to direct all your attention to controlling your race quad.
Another somewhat less expensive option is to use a small to midsize video monitor to see what the camera is transmitting. A sunshade for the screen is also a good investment; it prevents any extraneous light from interfering with your image quality. The only disadvantage is that you don’t get that feeling of total immersion as you do when using goggles. The advantage is that you can easily look up to guide your drone in for landing.
FLIGHT TIPS
You do have to walk before you can run, and FPV racing is definitely running at full speed. So if you’ve never flown a quad before, start out by flying a small quad around the house. This way, you can learn how to control it and even fly under and through obstacles.
When you’re ready to move on to your racing quad, any 250mm-size quad will work. Fly it around in an open field to get used to using the controls, hovering, and moving around imaginary obstacles. When you feel comfortable, open it up and fly forward at the fastest speed possible. This will be your normal racing speed, so get used to the angle of the quad and see what it’s like to make quick turns and other maneuvers. You are now ready for FPV flying.
FLYING USING GOGGLES
When you first start flying with FPV goggles, be prepared to be really frustrated because it will feel as if you’re learning to fly all over again. It’s recommended to learn how to hover with and without FPV goggles so that you can learn how high the actual quad is compared to what you view when using the goggles. Your perspective will be off at first, but after a few flights, you will get the hang of it.
IT’S RECOMMENDED TO LEARN HOW TO HOVER WITH AND WITHOUT FPV GOGGLES SO THAT YOU CAN LEARN HOW HIGH THE ACTUAL QUAD IS COMPARED TO WHAT YOU VIEW WHEN USING THE GOGGLES. YOUR PERSPECTIVE WILL BE OFF AT FIRST, BUT AFTER A FEW FLIGHTS, YOU WILL GET THE HANG OF IT.
One of the best learning tools is to have a calm person (emphasis on calm!) stand next to you as your spotter and tell you just how high you are flying. This really works and helps you understand that what you’re seeing through the goggles is very different than reality. After about 10 flights, you should begin to feel more comfortable while navigating around your flying field. The key is to keep at it. If you do, then you will eventually learn how to handle your quad wearing FPV goggles just like an expert. See you at the races!