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WING
SPAN
AUGUST
The sport of aeromodelling is
soaring to new, thrilling heights
with FPV (First Person View) racing
captivating the world’s attention
and becoming one of the fastest
growing sports around the globe.
FPV racing is an exciting and fun-
filled sport, combining on-board
cameras, high-tech drones and
high-speed racing.
Pilots operate their drones wearing
goggles or using a screen, creating
a virtual personal flight experience,
as judges time the races using
similar goggles or a screen.
Drones can reach speeds of up to
100kms per hour, requiring a high
level of skill, precision and agility
by the competing pilots.
In August this year, 56 competitors
showcased their speed and
skills for the first ever MAAA
Australian Drone Racing National
Championships, held on the Gold
Coast.
Races were run over five laps with
the pilots vying for their place to
compete in the prestigious World
Drone Championships.
Thomas Bittmatta dominated the
skies and was awarded Australian’s
first ever Australian Drone Racing
Champion. He travelled with four
other finalists (Michael Webb, Mark
Cocquio, Rudi Browning and Evan
Leipold) who competed at Hawaii’s
renowned Kualoa Ranch in October.
Pilots from over 30 countries
around the globe also took part,
flying through the world-class
course vying for the title of the
World Drone Racing Champion as
well as walking away with $100,000
in cash, prizes and trophies.
During the competition, teams
were required to manoeuvre their
drones through 13 rings and three
H-shaped gates before crossing the
finish line.
Australian FPV Racing Association
Secretary, Tighe Brown said overall
Team Australia was ranked 4th at
the world championships, proudly
taking to the Hawaiian skies,
showing their skills while putting
Australia on the map for the sport
of FPV racing.
“The sport and future of drone
racing is here to stay and can only
get bigger and better from this
point and 2017 is going to be an
interesting year,” he said.
Under the Civil Aviation Safety
Authority (CASA) rules, commercial
drone operators are required to
register with CASA and notify CASA
where they intent to operate. Heavy
penalties apply to those who break
the rules. The rules have been set
to promote the safety of people,
property and drone operators.
As supporters of FPV racing, the
MAAA is about fun, friendship,
camaraderie and safe flying. For 75
years their goal has been to give
their members the best possible
flying experience in a fun and safe
environment.
The MAAA is leading the move to
a stronger focus on safety and
privacy, ensuring the sport of
FPV continues to grow and be
supported around the world.
The 2017 Australian Drone National
dates are yet to be released.
TEAM AUSTRALIA RANKED 4TH OVERALL AT WORLD DRONE RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS
out
& about
AustralianWorld Drone Championship team
NOVEMBER