Racing drone and FPV - permissions you should have

The rapidly growing world of FPV drones is tempting a growing number of virtual sky racing enthusiasts. However, before you take to the air, familiarize yourself with the current legal regulations. We present a compendium of knowledge for any FPV drone operator wishing to navigate the airspace legally and safely.

Flying FPV drones in light of regulations

There are several ways you can legally fly an FPV drone. The choice of the appropriate path depends on the specifics of the planned flights:

1. FPV drone at home/hall/room

   Private space, such as a house or hall, is not subject to legal restrictions. However, remember to keep people and property safe while flying. For FPV competitions, organizers may impose additional guidelines that must be strictly followed.

2. Racing drone with goggles in the open category

   Open category includes outdoor flights within sight of the operator. Unfortunately, FPV precludes direct observation of the drone, so the presence of an observer is necessary to monitor the position of the device and warn of potential threats. The operator should also follow the guidelines of the open category, i.e:
   - Register with the Civil Aviation Authority
   - Put the registration number on the drone
   - Observe the height limit 120 m above Ground Level (AGL)
   - Comply with the requirements of the subcategory in which you fly (e.g., required training for drones over 250g, prohibition of flying over people)

3. FPV drone in the special category

   Requires paid training, but offers greater freedom of flight. If the BSP pilot wants to fly without an observer, he can do so using the special category under the national standard scenario NSTS-01. FPV license for NSTS-01 allows VLOS and FPV flights with drones up to 4 kg. According to the chapter: UAS.NSTS-01.020 Flight conditions, FPV flight is to be performed up to an altitude of not more than 50 m above ground level and at a horizontal distance of not more than 500 m from the operator. You will do the training in any nursery.

Flying drones without a class assigned

Operation of a drone without the assigned class C0-C6 is possible if it was manufactured before 1.01.2024 or meets the requirements of the class in question. For more information, see our comprehensive article.

Speed of racing drones

FPV pilots build drones on their own for maximum speed and most of them can reach speeds of up to 140 km/h (140 mph). Ready-made drones are slower, but much easier to use. Beginners can start with FPV kits in which the drone, controller and goggles are immediately set up and ready to fly.

The following are recommended racing drones. With this table, you can easily check what the maximum speed of your drone is and whether it has a class assigned to it. Remember, if it is an FPV drone up to 250g, you do not need to do drone operator training.

BetaFPV

Summary

Having the right credentials is not only a matter of legality, but above all safety. Remember that drone regulations are subject to change, so before each flight, check the current information on the following sites Civil Aviation Authority and PAŻP.