So you'd like to get into FPV Drone Racing?! Great! Welcome to the club! There are lots of things that you should know before making that leap into the sport... Lets go over some of them.
- Do your research. Don't let us be your only avenue for information. You will find FPV meetups all over the country. The DRL Discord Server is a great places to start. Racing can consist of a formal competition like DRL, a few friends getting together in a field, or just freestyle flying – doing tricks and then sharing the videos online. Tracks can be roped off and laid out using trees, flags or poles, or even hula hoops or pool noodles. So please feel free to get as much info as you can from multiple sources.
- What does it all cost? This is probably the most common question with people starting out. Understand that Drone Racing is not a cheap sport, but don't let that discourage you from the dream of flying. There are multiple sources available on the market today that can offer wonderful starter or micro/tiny drones to learn and practice on. Some ranging from as low as $100! Just keep in mind that nothing will quite fly exactly how an actual racing drone does.
- Utilize the Simulator as much as possible. The Sim is a very valuable tool that will allow you to truly learn how an FPV racing drone flies and operates. Many people have put hours and hours into the sim before making that purchase for an actual drone. This can save you a ton of money considering the amount of crashing that can happen when first starting out.
Tip** A great initial purchase can be a good Transmitter (radio controller). You'll want to find one that can not only work with real drones, but also the simulator. This will allow you to become comfortable with your controller and use it when it comes time to taking to the actual sky. Radiomaster is a great product to start with, however you'll want to do some research on your own to see what fits you and your budget best. Here is a list created by the community that may help you! Click Here.
- Building your drone. Most pilots buy the parts needed and build their drone themselves, however there are plenty of retailers that offer "ready to fly" kits, some even offer repair services! So you decide whether you want to take on the challenge to build one or grab one and get to flying!
- Takes time... Lots of time... Keep in mind when learning and starting out that the sport can take some time to get used to. It typically does not come easily and can require lots of practice, so don't give up if you become frustrated. Just keep on pushing, it'll all click at some point.
- Videos!! Videos can be an extremely valuable tool! Lots of Pro pilots will watch video after video of themselves and others flying to embed the movements into their thought process.
- Most importantly, Have Fun!! Never forget the amazing feeling to take flight and feel one with the drone.
** For more information on the Parts that go into a Racing Drone, click here!