Drone racing
Background
Drone racing emerged in 2011 in Germany, when a group of amateur drone operators in Karlsruhe began holding semi-organized races. Participants flew small radio-controlled quadcopter drones fitted with onboard digital video cameras, using a live first-person view from a screen or FPV goggles to navigate the course. The activity developed as a motorsport in which pilots aimed to complete obstacle routes as quickly as possible.
The format mattered because it adapted the basic structure of air racing to small unmanned aircraft, combining speed, precision, and remote visual control. The use of onboard video transmission allowed operators to steer from the aircraft’s perspective, which became a defining feature of the sport. Its early organization in Germany provided a starting point for later competitive drone racing practices.
In later developments, drone racing was also identified in Russia as an official sports discipline under the GTO national fitness program, with pilot testing planned in selected regions. The reported framework included remote-control flying and FPV goggles, along with a first stage covering Class 75 drone racing and quadcopter simulator flights. That inclusion indicated that the activity had moved beyond informal competition and into structured sports and policy settings.
Timeline
Drone racing was planned to be added to the GTO national fitness program by 2027–2028.
Drone Pilots Who Pass GTO Standards to Receive BenefitsDrone racing was selected for pilot testing in four regions.
Drone Pilots Who Pass GTO Standards to Receive BenefitsDrone racing participants who earned a badge were set to receive benefits such as tax deductions and extra university admission points.
Drone Pilots Who Pass GTO Standards to Receive Benefits
Documents
Drone Pilots Who Pass GTO Standards to Receive Benefits
Russia plans to add drone racing to the GTO national fitness program by 2027–2028, following a Putin directive, with pilot testing in four regions and benefits including tax deductions and university admission points for badge holders.