Frequently Asked Questions...
Here are the most commonly asked questions about our club and what we do.
1.
What is a multirotor or quadcopter?
Well you've seen the pics all over our website, basically it's a 4 rotor aircraft that flies similar to a helicopter. The propellers speed up and slow down quickly to control the attitude of the aircraft. If it tilts forward, it moves forward etc. A small computer onboard called the flight controller takes the pilots inputs via a radio control link and based upon the current attitude of the aircraft, controls the motors driving the propellers to tilt it in the direction required for flight and keeps it level and balanced (or upside down when doing acrobatics!).
2.
What is FPV?
FPV or First Person View is a method of piloting an aircraft remotely using an onboard camera and video downlink showing the aircraft's current trajectory remotely to the pilot using either an external LCD screen or immersive display goggles. This is achieved by taking the onboard camera's video feed and using a transmitter on the aircraft, transmit an analogue video signal back to the pilot where a receiver then feeds the video signal into the display or goggles. Technology in this field has come along in leaps and bounds in the last 2 years, digital transmission is not far away!
3.
Aren't these drones and can't they spy on me?
Yes these are the very same "drones" you see on the news except these are designed for racing. The techncial term for drone is an autonomous vehicle or aircraft and these are hardly autonomous. There has been a negative conotation about the word "drone" caused by the negative news stories about privacy concerns and safety and a few irresponsible pilots flying in a manner or location they shouldn't. We try to avoid the association as what we do is a sport and a hobby and for the most part completely safe and benign to the public.
Whilst our models carry cameras to transmit live low resolution video and capture high definition footage for later race analysis and posting to Youtube for the most part you cannot use a multirotor or drone to spy with. They are just too noisy and obtrusive to go unoticed flying outside your bedroom window!
With the advent of the smart phone and digital camera, you are more likely to have your privacy breached by someone with an iPhone peeking through your window or over your back fence! The footage we capture is used for fun and learning and there are existing privacy laws in place in Australia and around the world that already cover the use of multirotors for spying and breaches of privacy.
There has also been associations made with the word "drone" and military UAV's. Again UAV stands for Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle and they carry a range of high tech spying gear and military weapons. Hardly what we build and fly at our local parks!
4.
What does one of these cost, how much to setup to race?
This varies a lot depending on what kind of budget your looking to get started with. You can purchase 2nd hand gear or some cheap chinese copies off ebay and get started on a very low budget but be very careful about what you buy. Often purchasing on the cheap side ends up costing you more in the long run as many components can be frail and not stand up to the punishment of racing.
Having said that there are many budget builds a beginner can start with that can get you in the air for under $350-500.
There are many considerations such as wether to use a LCD screen or goggles, battery size, prop size, motor size etc. If you would like advice on how to get started then come along to one of our events or meets and speak to the members who are always happy to give advice to beginners.
5.
I have never flown before, how do I learn?
Learning to fly a multirotor isn't as hard as you think. If you can play a video game essentially you can fly one of these as well. It does take practise and we suggest learning on a simulator first such as FPV Free Rider or RealFlight before trying for real, you'll save on spare parts!
Come along to one of our meets and get some advice from one of the pilots, there are also heaps of tutorials on Youtube that you can watch to give you an idea on how to start. Then go and build your own and get out there and fly!
6.
7.
How do I join the club and come and race?
The club is still in the process of forming, once we are up and running we will open up memberships and you will be able to officially join the club and come and race with us.
Before you join we urge you to come along to one of our events or meets and have a look at the action and talk to the members.
If you are not a member you still will be able to purchase a guest membership on the day and be covered by the club's insurance for a fee.
Can I still come and fly/race if I'm not a member?
You most certainly can!
We encourage visitors to come along and meet everyone and have a fly with us with a mind to possibly joining the club.
Continual participation in club events does require a club membership.
8.
I don't have anything to fly, can I still spectate or get involved?
Most definately!
We don't charge spectators to come along and watch the fun. However if a particular public venue decides to charge a cover charge to visitors then we'll have to pass this charge onto spectators.
If you wish to get involved in the club in any way, such as volunteering at one of our events or serve on a committee please contact us!