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FPV (First Person View) has been
around aeromodelling for years,
but with the hardware becoming
smaller and the price dropping with
it, strapping a camera and video
transmitter to your favourite flying
machine and getting your very own
pilot’s view has never been easier.
At the same time the technology
involved inmulti-rotor aircraft has
been developing to the point where
the cost of putting a small, nimble
airframe together is not muchmore
than the cost of a reasonable fixed-
wing trainer.
So it is no surprise that the two
technologies havemelded together to
generate a sport that is attracting an
entirely new generation into the RC
community: FPV racers.
The sport involves small multi-rotor
airframes, which are typically 250mm
across with cameras and video
transmitters, typically four at a time,
racing around courses at speeds up
to and, sometimes even over, 120KPH.
There are crashes, but typically the
damage is limited to a prop or two,
and then it’s back to racing.
The really great thing is that it is
relatively cheap to get into, and not
that hard to learn. Multi-rotors are
very stable and easy to fly; much
easier than helicopters. And as soon
as you start flying FPV you don’t
have any more worries about the
orientation. You just fly around. Your
biggest worry is getting lost, but the
simple solution to that is to have
a spotter standing by, keeping the
aircraft in sight.
I got intomulti-rotors about four
years ago. I found thema lot easier to
fly than helis and a lot less expensive
to crash. Those two factors mademe
a lot more relaxed whilst flying, so I
just learnt to fly faster. I also really
liked the fact that I didn’t needmuch
space to fly amulti. Then along came
FPV. Initially I used it to see what I was
filming whilst flying, but as it all got
smaller and faster, I soon became
hooked.
There are now lots of ready-to-fly
multi-rotor aircraft available to get
you started. But once you get the bug
and want to get into the serious side
of FPV racing, then it is time to build
your own.
There are draft rules for international
competition, which are in the process
of being formally ratified. Meanwhile,
the USA has at least three racing
leagues and France has a very active
group that specialises in racing in
forests. Around Australia and New
Zealand some groups are getting
together for regular racemeets. It is
growing, fast; really fast.
‘Relatively cheap to get into, and not
that hard to learn’ What’s not to love
about FPV racers!
virtual
flight
with first person view
VIRTUAL FLIGHT OR FPV MAY BE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MODEL AIRCRAFT TO TAKE
OFF IN AUSTRALIA. THIS ARTICLE IS FROM DAVID TRAINO, THE PRESIDENT OF THE
ADELAIDE MULTI-ROTOR PILOTS, A NEW CLUB RECENTLY FORMED SPECIFICALLY TO HOST
FPV RACING EVENTS.
