There is no denying that the Corona Virus has shaken the world order! And with the “social distancing” and “stay-at-home” measures fronted by governments around the world, how do you even distract yourself from the boredom of being confined inside your house?
Well, we can agree that people everywhere are having a hard time isolating themselves from their friends and family. But all is not lost, there are things you can do to lift your spirits despite being alone.
In this post, we consider drone racing as a suitable sport during these uncertain times!
With COVID-19 having pulled the plug on anything to do with sport; events and meets have either been postponed or canceled, leaving both competitors and spectators in limbo. As such, you need to get creative to wake yourself from the nightmare that is currently dogging us.
Drone racing is a fast-growing sport that you can try out! It is fun and exciting with participants flying purpose-built drones at speeds of up to 180mph. The best part is that drones inherently piloting embraces social distancing guidelines. It is more of an individual sport than a group sport; you just need one friend to race with.
The emergence of the DRL (Drone Racing League) has been an added incentive for more enthusiasts to join the sport and proven to be a life-changing career opportunity for the most skilled drone fliers. With prize packages of up to $1 million, the surge of new entrants is no surprise!
Not to worry if you’ve never flown a drone before, there are various drone racing simulators you can find online to hone your skills in an obstacle-free environment. There are also racing drones under 300 dollars available in the market that will be perfect for getting your feet wet.
When it comes to professional drone racing, the sport has progressed, and this is also true for the tactics employed by racers to gain an edge over their rivals. But with constant practice and the help of simulators, beginners can easily find themselves competing in the big leagues in no time.
The sport involves controlling flying drones at high speeds in a predetermined flight route riddled with obstacles and tricky maneuvers. It is a fun and adrenaline-filled experience that will favor anyone who is spurred on by the spirit of competition. However, it will take a significant learning curve before you can do this without crashing into the obstacles.
The fastest drones can reach speeds of just under 180mph and come with souped-up details that make for this swift aerial performance. Some drone racing courses will primarily focus on speed whereas others test the pilot’s technical abilities.
A great balance of the two is considered the key to becoming a master drone racer. Pilots also wear FPV goggles while flying the drones, which helps to immerse you into the hair-raising experience.
In the drone racing circles, you will find both do it yourself (DIY) and ready to fly (RTF) racers. The DIY racers pride themselves in being familiar with the complete process, starting from the mechanics of the drone from the ground up. On the other hand, RTF racers are more focused on the racing aspect of the sport.
Final Thought
Overall, drone racing is an addictive pastime that you can engage in during this Corona period. There are numerous clubs springing up as, well as multiple venues, where you can meet up with fellow enthusiasts and learn from experienced pilots. So, don’t let COVID-19 rob you of all the fun; give drone racing a try and see how it goes.