
Drones, quadcopters, unmanned aerial vehicles. No matter what you call them, by now you’ve no doubt heard about these radio-controlled marvels. However, what you might not be familiar with is the latest craze currently sweeping the aerial R/C community. I’m talking about the increasingly popular sport of First Person View (FPV) drone racing.
FPV puts you, the pilot, inside your drone’s cockpit, where you must rely on quick reflexes and split-second decision-making to navigate a course, avoid obstacles, and best the competition—all at breakneck speeds of up to 80 mph! If that sounds a little like a video game, it’s because the experience is remarkably similar, only more intense and with higher stakes.
Now, when I say “puts you inside the cockpit,” of course I’m not being literal. Instead, what FPV racing does is utilize select pieces of equipment to simulate that experience. And what an experience it is. As someone who’s had the opportunity to test some of the latest virtual reality tech, I can tell you firsthand that FPV flying rivals, and often surpasses, many of the most immersive VR experiences out there. In fact, I learned the hard way that piloting while standing up is a sure bet to make yourself fall over—the first time I took a sharp corner with my PFV drone I inadvertently leaned my whole body into the turn and down I went. But, my general lack of coordination aside, let’s talk about what you'll need to get started with FPV racing.
Starting out, the three pieces of equipment you need are: an FPV-ready drone, a compatible FPV headset, and a radio controller. You’ll also need plenty of spare parts and backup accessories to replace the bits that get damaged or lost along the way (read: props, so many props), but the aircraft, headset, and controller are your core components.
Now, which brand and model of these components you choose largely depends on you, the pilot. If you're someone like me—i.e., a hobbyist with experience flying drones, but never FPVs—your best bet is starting out with an introductory package. I began with the now-discontinued
Blade Nano QX, which was great for acclimating me to the FPV flight experience. For a similar introduction, consider the Blade Nano QX2 or even the Blade Inductrix FPV—both are good beginner racers that will help you get the feel of FPV flying.
If you don't have any experience flying drones, that's perfectly OK. Even the best drone racers were novices at one time. However, before you jump into FPV racing, consider getting your feet wet with a micro quad, something like a Hubsan X4. Even though drones like these aren’t quite quite as sophisticated as their big brothers, they’re great for teaching you the ins and outs of drone flight and maneuvering. (Also, if you are just starting out with drones and UAVs, be sure to check out the B&H Explora article, 7 Tips for Starting with Drones, for a helpful beginner’s guide.)
Once you’ve mastered your beginner drone, and you’re ready to make the leap into actual racing, it will be time to upgrade your equipment. Regarding the drone itself, you now must decide whether you want to purchase a Ready-to-Fly (RTF) vehicle or one you assemble yourself. As you might imagine, building your own racer takes more know-how, dedication, and can lead to mixed results. Personally, I have yet to brave the world of DIY drone building. However, the pilots I know who do assemble their own flyers have a much more intimate knowledge of how their drones work, which allows them to repair and modify the vehicle easily to their liking.
But, getting back to RTF flyers: there are plenty of quality options out there that come pre-assembled and ready to race. A great choice for those looking to move up from the beginner’s rankings, but don’t want to assemble their own craft fully, is the Amimon Falcore. It’s a beginner-friendly racer that also helps bridge the gap between amateur pilots and pros, thanks to its skilled-based flight modes. Once you’ve got a hang of the controls and are ready for some serious speed, the Falcore has you covered. It can hit speeds of up to 80 mph, so you’ll be flying with the best of ’em. However, like many of the more advanced FPV drones, the Falcore doesn’t come with an FPV headset, so you will need to purchase one—the Fat Shark Dominator is a good bet.
I mention having to purchase separate accessories because the fact is, FPV drone racing is not only an incredibly exciting sport, it’s also kind of a pricey one. You can mitigate some of these costs by building your own vehicle, but regardless, your bank account probably won’t go unscathed. But whatever. Disposable fortune favors the bold—I think that’s how that saying goes.
Assuming you’re OK with the not-insignificant costs, and you’ve now mastered your drone’s controls, you’re ready to get out there and start racing with fellow FPV flyers. Lucky for you, as the sport of FPV racing has grown, so too has its community and online resources. A quick search online will reveal just how large, and inviting, that community is. Check to see where your local FPV flyers meet up and go join in on some races. Who knows? A year from now, you could be featured here!
1 Comment
Nice post! Thanks!
Must say its been super exciting seeing the hobby evolve from some crazy guys hacking together security cams 10 years ago to what it is today!
I'll add one more tip.. get ready to sink some serious $$$ into the hobby, it is seriously addictive.