Racing rules of minicopters

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, but with each race event we are trying to match as much as possible with international FAI F3U sporting requirements.
   • 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 two classes of “NIGHT“ and “PRO”. 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 – motors are immediately stopped. Various automatic landings or return to home are prohibited!
   • All minicopters must have a prepared 5V servo connection and the location where transponders will be connected and fitted. More information here.
   • Should be possible to quickly change video channels on VTX (VRX)
   • Any propeller protection is prohibited.
     

     PRO class:

     • A Minicopter must have 4 motors.
     • The total weight of flying minicopter must not exceed 750 g.
     • Diameter between the motors must not exceed 280mm.
     • Battery voltage must not exceed 4S (LiHV NOT allowed).
     • Propeller diameter must not exceed 5″.
     • Must have working HD (1080p@25FPS minimum, model/weight does not matter) video camera for recording or at least a hammer of 60g weight for its simulation.
     • It is allowed to fly only in ACRO mode.
     • Max 5.8G video transmission power is 25mW.
     • Bright, working LED’s are required on rear of copter.

     NIGHT class:*

     • Any amount of motors
     • The total weight of flying minicopter must not exceed 500g.
     • Battery voltage must not exceed 4S (LiHV NOT allowed).
     • Propeller diameter must not exceed 4″.
     • It is allowed to fly only in ACRO mode.
     • Max 5.8G video transmission power is 200mW.
     • HD cam not required.
     • NIGHT class race will be different from PRO class – race will go at night, with barely lit track (RGB LED’s, strips and other equipment available, but not enough for proper lightning). Very sensitive camera or at least non-IR blocking lens would increase your chance to win. Additional IR-lightning, rear LED’s would help too.

     Freestyle category:

     • Participates only copters (planes and similar equipment is not accepted, but dualcopters and similar equipment with aerodynamic surfaces is accepted). Also possible to participate in team (many copters/planes in air) but only one “primary” copter will get points – other copters/planes may be just part of show.
     • 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.
     • HD cam not required.
     • 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.
   • You will get transponders before race, or bring your own (all ID’s are here)
   • If you absolutely must go into track when racing – take bright west.
   • After the flight participant must release the participant’s chair, gather his equipment and immediately return items, if borrowed. After returning items and registering the time, participant must leave the judges area.
   • Race stages:
     • Warm up. See meeting/race schedule, but in short – all will be flying in small groups and get points for race. Common formula for race (may be slightly tuned before race): (45-LAP_AVERAGE)+(LAP_AMOUNT/10)+(20-FASTEST_LAP)/3)
       • each group has own “master” – by default pilot with lowest frequency, but any pilot can be selected or even “moving in cycle”
       • there are two timers – 2.5min. and 1min., fixed near judge/flying pilot area
       • Warm-up, heats done in this order (First group (flying) master is named “A”, second group master is “B”, third “C” and so on):
         • “B” starts 1 minute timer. First group is preparing for flight (turns on copters, etc)
         • After sound signal (1min. timer) “B” announces start, starts 2.5min. timer. All first group starts – if someone is not on start pad at 1min. mark – he skips this round
         • After 2.5min. sound signal from timer sounds, race ends. If pilot is further than corner red flag (~25% of track) he can finish lap.
         • As soon as last copter lands – “B” starts 1 minute timer and second team prepares for race. First group has one minute to pick own equipment from track, also they should turn off all equipment as soon as possible.
         • after 1 minute sound signal from timer sounds – “C” announces start, runs 2.5min. timer and everything goes in cycle
       • Copters are picked from track only when race ends. Exceptions – copter on measuring gate, fire, failsafe glitch – then owner needs to tell (loud!) about that and can go into track with bright west
       • Each participant has own “personal” 2.5min. time for race pause (for example, lost camera or other equipment)
       • Each group has additional 2.5min pause time which can be used if all in team agree
       • Additional time usage – you tell to all participants that you need time (loud!), start 2.5min. timer when other timer ends.
       • If you had not enough time for preparing equipment, out of batteries, etc – don’t worry, you can skip few cycles and return back
       • No dedicated spectators on heats, but you need to stay away from mistakes. If you skip some track elements – go back and repeat that part. If we suspect that pilot is skipping parts of track constantly and does not return – we may review DVR (will be on all time) and if this is true – pilot will be removed from race.
   • PRO competition:
   • First stage – flown in groups of 4, 8 pilots with best score from warm-up. 3 flights in total for each pilot.
   • Second stage (finals) – 4 pilots with best score from first run goes into one group. They go for 3 rounds, pilot with best score wins.
   • In case difference between 2 pilots on finals is less than 2 – Judges may choose to do final run to decide who is winner.
6. NIGHT class competition:
   • First stage – flown in groups (depends on equipment/frequencies), max 8 participants; 3 rounds for each pilot
   • Second stage (finals) – the same as PRO group.
   • We may shorten pilot selection if we do not manage to find enough participants for MINI class
7. FreeStyle category – one copter at a time. The participant collected most points becomes a winner.
8. FreeStyle evaluation system:
   • 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.
   • Judges are selected from other participants/guests, who do not participate in FreeStyle category
   • We will evaluate flight performance looking from ground (visual flight), but Judges may pick own monitor if they like
9. Penalties:
   • Missing – for not overcoming the obstacle (not flying into the gate) – 0.5 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) 0.2 penalty points are given, the flight may continue only if you can fly without help from outside.
   • When breaking the tracks equipment – racing stops, the participant will be disqualified. Same goes for very unsafe flying. Don’t worry – this may happen in extreme cases only (so far – none, during 2 races, keep this record clear please).
10. 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 turns are marked with flags.
    • Track plan is given to the participants before the race.
    • The trajectories between the gates are marked by hallmarks.
11. Judging
    • Each class competitions are judged by at least one judge (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 judge (-s) 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.
12. Spotters
    • Each participant must be a Spotter for participant in another group (on finals/competition rounds). A participant who does not fly at the time will spot the same Channel assignment hi has for current stage.
    • 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.

13. 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 – please, wear a west, use gloves for bringing around powered copter. Bright west is a must if you absolutely need to go into track when race is going on.
    • 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, the same applies to participants of the FreeStyle category.

* NIGHT class is still work in progress. We may remove this class at all and inform participants (no latter than 4 days before event) if something goes wrong.