In drone racing (as in auto racing and other types), the racing is divided into classes. According to Drone Racing Multi GP, classes are important to:
1) -level the playing field so one pilot doesn’t have an advantage over another by using more powerful equipment. This allows the pilot’s skill to win the race, not their equipment
2) -ensure aircraft ‘builds’ can be planned with confidence that they will be accepted into competition
3) -ensure radio equipment is compatible with fellow pilot’s (sic) equipment as not to cause interference.
It makes sense, and a better race. Although no official international classes have been developed and codified, each DRL (Drone Racing League) forms their own classes. However, there are a few common similarities between leagues, and an unofficial standard for racing classes. They are (in general)
–Tiny Whoop Tiny, one-cell UAV, 1.2” prop
–Micro Small, two-cell UAV, 2.5” prop
–3S Medium, three-cell UAV, 6” prop
–4S Medium, 4-cell UAV, 6” prop
–Open Large, any-cell UAV, any prop
–Mega Very Large, any-cell UAV, any prop
Class Criteria
Each class defines basic aircraft configuration and capabilities.
| CLASS | Frame Size | Propeller Size | Weight | Battery | vTX Power | MOTOR |
| Tiny Whoop | No limit (150mm) | 31mm (1.22”) | 25g (0.88 oz) | 1 cell LiPo | 250 mW | Brushed 6mm |
| Micro | No limit (250mm) | 66mm (2.59”) | 150g (5.29 oz) | 2 cell LiPo | 250 mW | Brush or B’less |
| 3S | 305mm (12”) | 152mm (6”) | 800g (28.21oz) | 3 cell LiPo | 250 mW | Any |
| 4S | 305mm (12”) | 152mm (6”) | 800g (28.21oz) | 4 cell LiPo | 250 mW | Any |
| Open | 305mm (12”) | No limit* | 800g (28.21oz) | No limit | 250 mW | Any |
| Mega** | 800-1050mm (31.49-41.33”) | No limit | TBD | No limit | 250 mW (0.25W) | No limit |
*Note in some leagues, a 6-cell maximum is defined
**Some leagues define an ‘X-Class’, with frame sizes between 800 and 1200 mm (31.49-47.24”)
Gate Requirements by Class
Each class also has ‘gate’ size requirements which each drone must fly through
| CLASS | GATE AREA | GATE (IN) | GATE (MM) | MATERIAL |
| Tiny Whoop | 361 sq .in. | (19” x 19”) | (483mm x 483mm) | Undefined |
| Micro | 6.25 sq. ft. | (30” x 30”) | (762mm x762 mm) | Undefined |
| 3S | 25 sq. ft. | (5’ x 5’) | (1.52m x 1.52m) | PVC Mesh |
| 4S | 25 sq. ft. | (5’ x 5’) | (1.52m x 1.52m) | PVC Mesh |
| Open | 25 sq. ft. | (5’ x 5’) | (1.52m x 1.52m) | PVC Mesh |
| Mega | 144 sq. ft. | (12’ x12’) | (3.66m x 3.66 m) | PVC Mesh |
Classes can be further defined by
-Battery capacity
-Battery voltage
-Flight controller type
-Motor size/capacity
-Number of motors
-Number of prop blades
-Propeller size
-vTX power (250 mW etc.)
-weight
Additional Criteria
Note in the 2018 FAI World Drone Championship, racers were required to have high-definition video links on their drones (which allowed the audience to view high-quality FPV video from the race drones).
Note that the basic two class types (open and ‘spec’) require different parameters, and entry cost varies. Open Class is similar to Formula One car racing, where all types of cars can compete. Spec Class is like Formula Two car racing, where cars are limited by specification to limit performance (thus, ‘spec’ class).
Virtually all classes require FPV (First-Person View) racing. Racing by Line of Sight (3PV or Third-Person View) is virtually impossible when racing at such speeds (up to 120 mph). In addition, drones often leave direct LOS (Line of Sight) during navigation of the race course.
Some common leagues are DRL (Drone Racing League), DCL (Drone Championship League), and WASF (World Air Sports Federation)
MiniQuadClub.com, FPVlab.com, and FPVRacing.tv are good places to find (or watch) meetups and races, and to keep up with the “Drone Racing World”.
FPV Freerider, Drone Racing, and the DRL Simulator are all racing simulation programs, for indoor practice without drones
Most racing is team racing these days. In addition, race teams are required by some leagues to be AMA (Aircraft Modeling Association) members
Often a VO (Visual Observer) is required, per AMA and FAA regulations
Class F3U is radio-control, multi-rotor FPV racing
Class F9U is drone sport, radio-controlled, multi-rotor FPV racing
(3 motor minimum, electric only, max 1kg (2.2 lbs.) racing weight or AUW (All-Up Weight).
Race Course Criteria
Racing courses are both indoor and outdoor. For outdoor, a minimum developed size of 250 m within a 180 m x 100 m (196 yards x 109 yards/590 x 328 ft) rectangle is recommended. For indoor, a minimum developed size (MDS) of 80 m is recommended.
Per the Drone Pilots Federation specifications/recommendations for drone racing courses:
| PARAMETER | GENERAL | DRAG | OTHER |
| Standoff Distance | 30 ft. (9.1 m) | ||
| Net Spectator Standoff | 3 ft. (0.9 m) | ||
| Netting Height | 30 ft. (9.1 m) | ||
| Netting Weave | 1 ¾ in. (45 mm) | ||
| Flight Ceiling | 40’ (12 m) |
Drone Drag Racing
The drone drag racing sport has not defined any official specifications or recommendations as to course layout or aircraft categories. General course layouts have been:
100 m (328 ft.) course
3 ‘heats’ with two drones per race
Two Classes,’ micro’ and ‘mini’
| PARAMETER | MICRO | MINI |
| Prop Length | 4” (101.6 mm) | 6” (152.4 mm) |
| Prop/Motor Number | 3,4,6 | 3,4,6 |
| Prop Blades | 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 |
| Max Battery | 4S (16.8 V) | 4S (16.8 V) |
| Max Frame Size | 8.26” (210 mm) | 11.02” (280 mm) |
Emerging Race Classes
The DRL recently made two new classes of racing, called AIRR (Artificial Intelligence Racing Robots) in which AI systems race each other using drones, and HAIRR (Human-AI Robot Racing), with the first human versus AI race held in December 2019 (the human won by five seconds). No specifications have been defined for human-AI courses, but typical drone race courses with LED-lit gates and a variety of artificial lighting confuse AI systems.
The Future
Development of racing standards and criteria will continue to advance, adding to the competitiveness of drone racing, and aiding the growth of this exciting sport. Whether a racer or spectator, drone racing proves to be good, clean, exciting fun. In addition, racing helps drive technological innovations and improve piloting capabilities.
We can look forward to the continued growth of this sport, and the developments it brings to the Drone World. Drone racing has arrived – and no amount of FAA regulations will be able to stop it. Once there were two drone pilots, drone racing was inevitable. Whether the racing occurs within an approved venue, or out in Farmer Smith’s ‘back forty’, the sport will continue.
I’m just glad to be here to see it; it’s like something I dreamed of as a child. And it is here NOW.
(cover photo Makezine)
A Brave New Drone World 