Pilot high-speed drones through challenging obstacle courses.
Reviewed May 18, 2026
Ideal for those who naturally thrive in environments demanding quick, precise movements..
Social
Community
Where
Outdoors
Competitive
Competitive
Depth
Lifelong craft
Sessions
1–3 hr sessions
Physical
Sedentary
Learning
Steep curve
Starter cost
~$457 to start
Outdoor conditions matter · Teens and up · Portable
Getting started safely
Know the regulations before flying
In the US, drones over 250g require FAA registration and a Part 107 remote pilot certificate for commercial use. In the UK, drones over 250g require a CAA flyer ID and operator ID. Know the rules in your country before your first flight.
Start in a simulator
VelociDrone, Liftoff, or DRL Simulator before spending on hardware. FPV flying is counter-intuitive — 5–10 hours in a simulator before your first real flight prevents expensive crashes and builds the muscle memory that hardware alone cannot.
Get a starter FPV setup
A pre-built trainer quad (BetaFPV 65X or Emax Tinyhawk), budget FPV goggles (Eachine EV800D), and a radio transmitter (Radiomaster Zorro). Don't buy a performance race quad first — you will crash it within the first hour.
Competitive racing
Enter a sanctioned race
MultiGP (global), local club championship, or a DRL feeder event. The competitive environment reveals weaknesses — corner entry angles, gate timing, crash recovery — that practice sessions never expose.
Improve lap consistency over peak speed
Most beginners focus on maximum speed. Consistent laps within 0.5 seconds of each other beat fast but erratic laps in a race format. Track your standard deviation across laps, not just your best.
Take a beginner Drone Racing course
A structured course is the fastest way past the awkward beginner stage. Browse highly-rated drone racing classes for beginners.
Take the free quiz to rank the full catalog by your time, motivation, and setup — about five minutes.
5 stages · 20 milestones
Tick off milestones as you go — from first session to confident practitioner. Progress saves to your account so you can pick up where you left off.
Know the regulations before flying
In the US, drones over 250g require FAA registration and a Part 107 remote pilot certificate for commercial use. In the UK, drones over 250g require a CAA flyer ID and operator ID. Know the rules in your country before your first flight.
Start in a simulator
VelociDrone, Liftoff, or DRL Simulator before spending on hardware. FPV flying is counter-intuitive — 5–10 hours in a simulator before your first real flight prevents expensive crashes and builds the muscle memory that hardware alone cannot.
Find gearGet a starter FPV setup
A pre-built trainer quad (BetaFPV 65X or Emax Tinyhawk), budget FPV goggles (Eachine EV800D), and a radio transmitter (Radiomaster Zorro). Don't buy a performance race quad first — you will crash it within the first hour.
Find gearJoin a local FPV club
Clubs provide legal flying sites, mentors, and knowledge of local regulations. Experienced pilots help you avoid the most expensive beginner crashes and get you flying legally from the start.
Find a club~$457
Core gear to get going. Estimates from curated picks; actual spend varies.
+~$17
Nice-to-have upgrades once you know you are sticking with it.
Links open Amazon with your affiliate tag. Prices are ballpark catalog values.
Shop starter kits on Amazon
