These rules was valid only for the first 2016 LT-FPV minicopter racing event. Rules for the upcoming race can be found in Race page!

  1. Race of FPV Minicopters
    • Race of FPV (First Person View) minicopters, which is organized by the LT-FPV  team, is a kind of entertainment (in the future it might be redirected to sports race with international standards).
    • The race takes place in a circle of pre-prepared and marked route involving a number of participants at the same time. The race is open to all who wish to participate and has the FPV minicopter with the equipment corresponding the rules.
    • The race is divided into three classes of “MINI“, “PRO” and “OPEN“. Individual equipment requirements for each class are given in the rules. The participant can participate in several classes of competition with the same minicopter if the equipment complies with the requirements for the class.
    • A separate race category – FreeStyle where points are awarded not for the race but for the performance and stunts. In this contest, you can use any (safe) measures, including track equipment or specific aircraft modifications (eg. A very bright LED lighting, smoke devices, etc.).
    • We hope that any disagreements between the participants will be resolved peacefully. In an arguable situation – organizers word is final and not subject to appeal.
    • In case where rules differ between EN and LT versions – LT version takes precedence.
  2. Minicopters
    • Only minicopters fulfilling the following requirements can take place in the race.
    • Minicopters must be set to fail-safe so that the loss of the connection, could immediately stop the motors. Various automatic landings or return to home are prohibited!
    • All minicopters must have a prepared 5V servo connection and the location where IR sensor intended to fix the overcoming time of track route will be connected and fitted. More information here.
    • The change of video channels in the minicopters should not be difficult as each participant will have a little time for changing channels under the table during the race (3-5min.)
    • Any propeller protection is prohibited.
    • It’s recommended (but not required) to have bright LED’s on rear.
    • OPEN class:
      • The total weight of flying minicopter must not exceed 900 g.
      • Diameter between the motors must not exceed 500mm.
      • Propeller diameter must not exceed 8″.
      • Must have HD video camera for recording or at least a hammer of 60g weight for its simulation.
      • Any desired flight modes can be used.
      • Max 5.8G video transmission power is 250mW. You can participate with other power transmitters, but you will have to overcome the track individually (that means, it will be flown one by one), in this case additional group points will not be counted in.
      PRO class:
      • A Minicopter must have 4 motors.
      • The total weight of flying minicopter must not exceed 700 g.
      • Diameter between the motors must not exceed 280mm.
      • Battery voltage must not exceed 4S (16.8 V).
      • Propeller diameter must not exceed 5″.
      • Must have HD video camera for recording or at least a hammer of 50g weight for its simulation.
      • It is allowed to fly only in ACRO mode.
      • Max 5.8G video transmission power is 25mW.
      MINI class:
      • A Minicopter must have 4 motors.
      • The total weight of flying minicopter must not exceed 650g.
      • Diameter between the motors must not exceed 220mm.
      • Battery voltage must not exceed 4S (16.8 V).
      • Propeller diameter must not exceed 4″.
      • It is allowed to fly only in ACRO mode.
      • Max 5.8G video transmission power is 250mW.
      Freestyle category:
      • Participates only copters (planes and similar equipment is not accepted, but dualcopters and similar equipment with aerodynamic planes is accepted).
      • Participant can fly to the music or not. Music must be submitted to the organizers in FLAC / MP3 format during registration.
      • 3D mode is allowed, additional headset (to replicate music).
      • Total weight of flying copter must not exceed 2.5 kg.
      • Must have HD video camera for recording or at least a hammer of 60g weight for its simulation.
      • The flight must be in FPV not LoS. You can ascend and descend (up to 15s total flight) not flying FPV.
  3. FPV equipment
    • Video transmitters and receivers of 5.8G, 2.4G, 1.2G can be used at the race depending on the frequency and power limitations described in the other sections of these Rules.
    • The receiver can be integrated into the FPV glasses, HMD or screen, or it may be external, attached to the glasses, HMD or screen.
  4. FPV frequencies
    • FPV and frequencies are allocated by the race groups, depending on the participants equipment.
    • Frequency restrictions:
      • 5.8G frequency. Only the following frequencies will be used during the race: 5645/5705/5800/5865MHz. Please learn how to set these frequencies on your equipment (or at least part of them, if the equipment is very limited).
      • 2.4G frequency. Two frequencies, 2370 and 2510MHz, standing away (10m +) of the participants, using 2.4G RC transmitter are allowed in the race.  Max Power is 500mW.
      • 1.2G frequency. Two frequencies (three – with some specific receivers) separated by a minimum of 98MHz wide band are allowed in the race. Max Power is 700mW.
  5. Racing
    • At the event participants can switch their equipment only with the permission of the judges and only at the proper time. At any other time to test and reconnect both RC and FPV equipment is prohibited! All the equipment must be ready in advance!
    • Each participant who comes and lively registers for the racing, will get video frequency, which will be devoted to warm-up and the first phase of the competition.
    • Participant’s responsibility is to follow the flight schedule and when turn comes to present themselves before the judges. If you miss your turn, there will be no second chance.
    • Before each flight, the participant receives:
      • The card with the given frequency, which must be worn visibly.
      • Transponder to be mounted on a flying object.
      • Reflective vest, which must be worn during the flight and when going to the track.
      • Thick gloves – copter with the power on can be worn only with gloves!
    • After the flight participant must release the participant’s chair, gather his equipment and immediately return the card, transponder, vest and gloves to the judges. After returning items and registering the time, participant must leave the judges area.
    • Race stages:
      • Warm up (only in first stage). Each participant regardless of race class in which he is allocated has 10 minutes. In first 5 min. participant must mount transponder, set the frequency he gets and register his transponder to the gates. The rest 5 min. can be estimated for practice, equipment testing, flying or anything else at their discretion (no video frequency switching at this time).
      • OPEN, PRO ir MINI class competition consists of two stages and finals.
        • First stage – flown in groups (the number of participants in groups will depend on the number of registrants and equipment, max 4).
        • Second stage – after first stage participants are divided in to the new groups by results of first stage and then flown again. After two flights results are summed up and 8 participants with most points (PRO and OPEN class) and 4 participants (MINI class) qualify for the final.
        • Finals – flies finalists. The participant with most points collected in his class becomes a winner.
        • In case of large number of participants or bad weather competition stages can be reduced to one stage and finals.
      • FreeStyle category – flown by one. The participant collected most points becomes a winner.
    • The evaluation system:
      • PRO and MINI class:
        • Flying six laps on the track. For every completed lap 10 points are obtained (the maximum possible number of points is – 60)
        • Depending on the position of the finish a common multiplier is used (if less than 4 participants in the group last place always – 1.0):
          • 1st place – 1.5
          • 2nd place – 1.4
          • 3rd place – 1.3
          • 4th place – 1.0
        • In addition, 16 points are given for the quickest flown circle (without penalties) among the all participants.
      • OPEN class:
        • Flying five laps on the track. For every completed lap 10 points are obtained (the maximum possible number of points is – 50)
        • The total time is counted and compared to the tracks average. For every second over the average 1 point is received. Points for time are not taken away, that is if the track is flown slower than average the maximum number of points obtained remain 50.
        • Depending on the position of the finish additional point are given (if less than 4 participants in the group last place always – 0):
          • 1st place – 22
          • 2nd place – 17
          • 3rd place – 12
          • 4th place – 0
      • FreeStyle category:
        • The flight lasts no longer than 180s. (3 min.), points are appointed by judges. The maximum possible points – 100.
        • During the flight all existing tracks objects can be used, but, unlike race, any contact with the ground or other objects means immediately terminated performance, and the points are calculated only for the done part.
    • Penalties:
      • Missing – for not overcoming the obstacle (not flying into the gate) – 6 penalty points if fly-close, without touching the earth or obstacle. (when gates are missed it is possible to turn around, fly back and try again to fly into the gate if retry is successful penalty points are not added).
      • Stumble – for the touched, but not knocked-down or broken track equipment (plates, gates, lights, nets) 6 penalty points are given, the flight may continue only if you can fly without outside help.
      • When breaking the tracks equipment – racing stops, the participant will be disqualified.
    • Track
      • Track is fenced by stop band.
      • Participants can enter the track only with the permission of judges.
      • The track consists of at least five gates, through which the participants need to fly. The start and finish gates are marked exclusively.
      • Track layout for each racing event is prepared differently.
      • Track plan is given to the participants before the race.
      • The trajectories between the gates are marked by hallmarks.
    • Judging
      • Each class competitions are judged by at least two judges (FreeStyle category at least 5 judges), whose duty is objectively evaluate track incidents, and to impose penalties and sum up the results of the competition.
      • The judges always have the right to disqualify participants who according to the judges’ discretion behave improperly, do not comply with the rules and requirements.
      • In case of dispute or doubt judge will be able to view DVR recording. In all cases, the judge’s decision is final.
    • Spotters
      • Each participant must be a Spotter for participant in another group. A participant who does not fly at the time will spot the same Channel assignment hi has for current stage. Accurate spotting schedule will be made after the registration of participants.
      • The Spotter has to calculate his assigned participant penalties, and after each group run report judges the total count of penalties (the number of times participant missed gates and the number of times participant stumbled on the race track elements).
      • In the event of disagreement between the spotter and the judge, the judge’s decision is always an overriding.
  6. Safety

    Although this section is at the end, but it is the most important.

    • When you have just finished preparing the equipment – immediately go behind the safety net.
    • If you see that you cannot control the copter – immediately disarm, the same is true when faced with an obstacle. Judges reserve the right to disqualify participants who, despite the accidends, try to continue the race.
    • Beware of viewers, even if they appear in an unexpected place.
    • Even at the scheduled time going to the track – be sure to wear the vest and turned on minicopter take only with gloves.
    • In case of need – fire extinguisher and first aid kit will be near the judges table.
    • It is strictly forbidden to fly over the judges, observers and spectator area (see. track diagram), the same applies to participants of the FreeStyle category.