Racer Introduction Hey FPV Pilot! We are excited to provide you with this Pilot Brief for the ThunderDrone 500 at F3Expo Friday November 13th at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia Inside is a lot of the information you will need to make your experience with us an enjoyable one, and hopefully an award-winning one as well! In combination with all of our presentations, competitions and showcases at F3Expo we are proud to have an International Field of FPV Pilots with incredible talents preparing to wage battle on our massive, oval race course using this unique team enduro format Any questions regarding the Racing Format, Rules, Technology, Regulations or Execution may be addressed to: Joe Scully, Race Director FPV Racing Events scully@fpvracingeventscom 4169312502 See you on the Flight Line! F3Expo F3Expocom @F3Expo #F3Expo contact@f3expocom
Racer and Freestyle Pilot Schedule Thursday, November 12th 5p - 7p Pilot Registration Foyer, GWCC 7p - 9p Invitation Only: Pilot and VIP Welcome Georgia Dome Reception and Fly Around Enter at Gate C Friday, November 13th 7a - 10a Pilot Registration Foyer, GWCC 7a - 10a Masters of Freestyle Warmup Georgia Dome 9:50a ThunderDrone 500 Pilot Meeting Georgia Dome Enter at Gate C 10a - 11a ThunderDrone 500 Controlled Practice Georgia Dome 11a - 12p ThunderDrone 500 Qualifier Heat/Groups #1 Georgia Dome 12p - 1p ThunderDrone 500 Qualifier Heat/Groups #2 Georgia Dome 1p - 4p Masters of Freestyle Qualifier Georgia Dome 4p - 5:10p BREAK Georgia Dome 5:10p ThunderDrone 500 / Masters of Freestyle Georgia Dome Finalist Meeting (Top 5 TD 500, Top 8 MoF) 5:30p - 6:30p ThunderDrone 50 Finals Georgia Dome 6:30p - 7pm Intermission Georgia Dome 7p - 9p Masters of Freestyle Championship Event Georgia Dome Note: the full conference schedule is available at wwwf3expocom F3Expocom @F3Expo #F3Expo contact@f3expocom
L32 L33 ThunderDrone 500 in the Georgia Dome Course Layout and Event Space We are excited to present an Oval Track exceeding 102,000 Square Feet (inside line) in the largest FPV Racing Venue yet! All Racing Pilots will be provided table space with access to power in a relatively controlled area in the End Zone between turns 3 and 4, while the management and pilots flying will be on the 50-yard line 2 Start / Finish Line 3 B 4 E FI B A L2 L14 110 101 L16 111 Turning Cone Race Line Turning Cone L52 140 L17 112 139 L18 L51L50 113 Pit Lane 138 L19 L49 114 115 116 L20 Speaker Pit Lane L47 137 136 135 L48 Pit Lane L22 Speaker L46 117 134 L23 L45 118 ThunderDrone Judges Table - 4 LCD Screens ThunderDrone Race Director Table - 1 LCD Screen - Audio Mixer Jump - 2 VGA Signals to Tents - 5 Composite going to Flightline Flight Line Pit Lane Pit Lane 133 L24 L44 119 132 L25 Pit Boxes L43 120 131 L26 Turning Cone Turning Cone L42 121 130 L28 Speaker L40 Screen 1&2 L30 L38 C 123 L36 124 L35 125 L34 126 127 128 D ID#: 1511583 EC: JET S E T N O T E S G E N E R A L N O T E S EVENT TIMES 11/13/15 10A-9P Team Pit Tents with a table Each with a Power Strip 214-36 - D 16-8 4-6' 1-8' 3-16 3 - ST 40 FT 1 - EL 4 - CH 5-10 AS OF: 11/03/15 R#: 2 CS: D 1511583-111 F3Expocom @F3Expo #F3Expo contact@f3expocom
Competition Description Preface The ThunderDrone 500 is a race featuring the Top-5 Teams of 3-5 Racers from Qualifying, racing to be the first to hit 100 Laps around the Georgia Dome ThunderDrone 500 Oval Pilots will need to work together to land, power off/ on VTX units and take off again until all laps are completed in each round The teams with the fastest crafts, best pilots, most solid pit strategy and most streamlined team management will compete in the finals for a chance to win $5,000 The Key is in the Transition From the Tone, the first pilot from each team takes off from the Pit Boxes, go up around Turn #3 and across the Start/Finish Line to officially start lap #1 Each time they cross is another lap towards the goal Traditionally, most craft last 3 minutes of high speed, so, after about 5 laps, the pilot will begin the Pit Change Maneuver After Turn #2, they follow the pit lane, and land back on the pit box FROM THE LEFT The next pilot on the team s quad is also staged on the Pit Box A team member powers off pilot #1 s quad, powers on pilot #2 s quad, and pilot #2 enters the course to the right of Turn #3 and heads to the start/finish line to complete the pit lap and this process repeats through all of the pilots in a batting order like baseball Strategy: Determine the # of Laps each pilot s goal will be, attempting to schedule the fastest pilot last, the correct # of LiPo, and timing the # of Pit Stops Our recommendation is to have Pilot #2 Stage their quad in the pit box after Pilot #1 takes off, and then join Pilot #1 on the Flight Line, Goggle up during the Pit Box maneuver and wait for the VTX Power Switch Over, then Take Off Pilot #1 then returns to Change LiPo s, etc Schedule / Format 10a - 11a - Controlled Practice There are 2 heats of teams, so Heat #1 goes for 25 minutes, then Heat #2 goes for 25 minutes Laps will be counted, but only for team statistical analysis 11a - 12p - Qualifier Heat #1 Group #1 goes on a 100 Lap Race 50 Minute Time Limit Enforced 12p - 1p Qualifier Heat #2 Group #2 goes on a 100 Lap Race 50 Minute Time Limit Enforced The Top - 5 Teams Advance to the Finale to race to 100 laps and $5,00000 5:10p Finalist Meeting 5:30p Opening Ceremonies (Introductions, Anthem) Green 6:30p Victory Lane Celebration and Award Ceremony F3Expocom @F3Expo #F3Expo contact@f3expocom
Competition Notes Technology Each Quad on Each Team will be provided with an Immersion RC Raceband VTX and Antennae The flight line consists of an Immersion RC Raceband Base Station that has 2 available outputs for goggles/screens for each team Each Team is on the same channel (ie Immersion RC Raceband #5) Craft MultiRotor Flown through FPV 330mm Maximum Wheelbase Each Pilot must Start and Finish each of their laps with their own quads Pits Teams may provide their own Tents for their Pits A Table and Power Bar / Power Strip will be provided Pit Boxes A 10 x 10 Square Teams may provide their own banner to identify their pit box Scoring Judges will be handscoring via software each pass of the start-finish line and tallying any missed corners Missed corners will be penalized 15 seconds per corner Key Safety Components No pilot is to leave the astroturf on the infield Any down quads on the main race line (above the red seats) will be retrieved by Marshals, brought to the lowest section (the boards) and powered off by either the Marshall or your team Retriever Do not spin your blades when you are down (other than the brief moment of attempting re-take-off) Marshals will attempt to Thumbs Up if take-off is possible Teams leaving this area will be disqualified Pit Lane may be treated as race line, until approaching the Pit Boxes Pilots approach on the left hand side, pit crew work from the right-hand side Pit crew are not to touch their pit box while a craft is landing until it has landed Overshooting the Pit Box results in a 15 Second Penalty Take-off must include a sharp - UP, and the pilot must not come within 10 of air space of an adjacent pit box Failure to comply results in a one-lap Penalty Cautions will be announced: Speed doesn t need to change, but a 30 minimum above the raceline will be enforced in that area (ie Caution between turns 1 and 2) F3Expocom @F3Expo #F3Expo contact@f3expocom
Rules and Regulations Preface F3Expo and FPV Racing Events want to ensure a SAFE and Fun Experience All participants and spectators must be aware of and adhere to the following regulations for RACEDAY ALL ATTENDEES: 1 Do Not Enter the Racing area FlightLine / Pit Boxes until directed 2 Be Aware of All Restrooms and Fire Extinguishers 3 Do not fly or power-up any object to be controlled remotely without approval from the Race Director Hovering in the pits (with VTX Disconnected) must be done safely, and not exceeding a 5' distance from the Pilot and 5' distance from the ground 4 Do not enter the Flight Line unless it is your time to race or prepare to stage Only scheduled racing pilots may enter the Flight Line during these timeframes 5 If you are injured, please immediately bring it to the attention of the Race Director RACE FORMAT: 1 Advertised/Posted Formats and schedules may be modified at the discretion of the Race Director To contribute to a "full program", ensure that you are prompt and punctual before, during and after your heat(s), and aware of what race is on the track 2 Practice - Each Team will have 25 Minutes in a Heat There are 2 heats of teams, so Heat #1 goes for 25 minutes, then Heat #2 goes for 25 minutes Laps will be counted, but only for team statistical analysis 3 Qualifying - Each Team will go in a Heat/Group on a 100 Lap Race 50 Minute Time Limit Enforced 4 The Top - 5 Teams Advance to the Finale to race to 100 laps and $5,00000 When the leading pilot moves onto lap 99, all teams will cross over onto their final lap CLASSIFICATION: 1 Flown through FPV 2 MultiRotor 3 330mm Maximum Wheelbase F3Expocom @F3Expo #F3Expo contact@f3expocom
Rules and Regulations Continued ALL PILOTS: 1 Pit Preference is awarded on a first-come, first serve basis for Practice and Qualifying Pits / Pit Boxes will be assigned based on Qualifying for the Finale 2 ANY VTX OFF THE TRACK FROM THE START OF REGISTRATION UNTIL PODIUM AWARDS IS NOT PERMITTED 3 ANY DAMAGE CAUSED TO A "LOST" CRAFT OR CAUSED BY THAT CRAFT WILL BE THE LIABILITY OF THE PERSON NOT ADHERING TO THE ABOVE RULE (ALL CRAFT ARE TO USE ASSIGNED CHANNELS ONLY, AT THE SCHEDULED TIME/HEAT) 4 Ensure that your failsafe mode is "down", not "hover" 5 Be Knowledgeable and READY! Be next to the Flight Line the race BEFORE YOURS for VTX mounting Once your race heat is called to the grid, you will forfeit your heat if you are not ready 6 As the race before yours is staging and running, place the VTX on your craft 7 Be gentle with all provided equipment (VTX) Damage results in liability for replacement 8 You will be assigned a NUMBER before your session/heat/race This correlates to VTX Channel provided by Race Management 9 DO NOT POWER UP VIDEO UNTIL DIRECTED BY FLIGHT LINE DIRECTOR OR RACE DIRECTOR THIS WILL BE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE YOUR RACE 10 Place your craft on the Pit Box when it is clear when directed Power up of video is to be on the take-off zone only 11 Tone starts will be in place 12 Do Not Do Extra Laps Do not "freestyle" at the end of your race 13 Do not fly your craft anywhere but on the race track or designated line of site flying areas 14 A 60' Ceiling is in place Do not exceed it Failure to do so will result in Disqualification 15 Keep your LiPo in a LiPo Sack if under cover or indoors Failure to do so will result in Disqualification 16 Missed gates result in 15-second penalties 17 Overshooting a PitBox will result in a 15-second penalty 18 Pit Lane may be treated as race line, until approaching the Pit Boxes Pilots approach on the left hand side, pit crew work from the right-hand side Pit crew are not to touch their pit box while a craft is landing until it has landed 19 Do not spin blades after crashing (albeit a brief re-attempt is ok) A Marshal will attempt to retrieve your quad, and will give you a thumbs up on camera if you are clear for take-off, and will place your quad in an optimum position 20 Leaving the Astroturf will result in disqualification Any down quads on the main race line (above the red seats) will be retrieved by Marshals, brought to the lowest section (the boards) and powered off by either the Marshall or Retriever Teams leaving this area will be disqualified 21 Take-off must include a sharp - UP, and the pilot must not come within 10 of air space of an adjacent pit box Failure to comply results in a one-lap Penalty F3Expocom @F3Expo #F3Expo contact@f3expocom
Rules and Regulations Continued 22 Once you are done racing and the race is over, retrieve your craft, gently remove VTX and return it to the Flight Line Director 23 Cautions will be announced: Speed doesn t need to change, but a 30 minimum above the raceline will be enforced in that area (ie Caution between turns 1 and 2) 24 Additional Important Commands: 1 "On the tone in less than 5" - command prior to a tone start 2 "3, 2, 1, Go" - in lieu of a tone start 3 "Stop, Drop or Hover" - immediately cease forward direction Save your craft as best as possible 25 Proper sportsmanship and conduct is to be exemplified Examples of poor conduct would include, but are not limited to: affecting another Pilot's Race or Equipment by speech or any sort of tampering or aggressive behavior 26 Penalties - First Time May Be a Warning unless stated otherwise, 2nd: Lose your fastest qualifier / podium placing, 3rd: Exit 27 No harassment of officials, pilots, sponsors or spectators will be tolerated JUDGING: 1 Judges will be handscoring via software each pass of the start-finish line and tallying penalties 2 Any grievances will be settled by the Flight Line Director and/or Race Director 1 A DVR Video Replay system is supplied by management and the Racer may request a Video Review via the Video Review Process 2 The Racer will notify the Flight Line Director and/or Race Director of his request, and provide a $50 Video Review Fee 3 The Race Director will inform the Racer of the time the Video Review will take place 4 The Flight Line Director and/or Race Director will review the race, and inform the Racer of their decision 5 If the Video Review is deemed in the Racers Favour, the $50 Video Review Fee is returned to the Racer 3 Any discrepancy regarding the printed results are to be brought to the Race Director's attention via written claim 4 Results will be deemed final following 30 minutes of posting RE-RACES, RE-STARTS: 1 If a Racer is fouled due to reasons outside of their control (lost video, crashed into at the start of a race, major scoring discrepancy, etc) the Flight Line Director and/or Race Director may offer a Re-Race 2 If a race is started and was not deemed clean or fair (ie lost video for a number of racers, object on the track, etc), a Re-Start may be called by the Race Director 3 Re-Starts will either happen right away, only following a majority vote of the racers in that heat, or as late as possible in the program (ie the end of the round, or immediately before the nexthigher main) F3Expocom @F3Expo #F3Expo contact@f3expocom
VTX Mounting Race Management Supplied VTX Installation and Use: Pilots operating FPV transmitters at this event will be handed Immersion Raceband FPV transmitters operating on 58Ghz band allocated for amateur radio use Pilots DO NOT have the right to change frequencies, neither to use any transmission devices other than the VTX s handed to them by the VTX Director All other video transmitters will be grounded or impounded impounded for the duration of the event The only frequencies used in the race will be the 58Ghz Raceband frequencies, on 25mW or 250mW transmitters (which of these two will be determined later The VTX Director is responsible for making sure the Raceband transmitters operate within the frequencies allocated and that these do not exceed the power levels of the allocated/allowed Race setup There will be a total of 8 flying stations During the test races we might decide to roll less than 8 pilots in a race to allow better frequency separation in case we detect issues with interferences or certain frequencies not performing well The 8 flight stations will be set up before the race, the pilots can bring their own goggles to connect it to the diversity receivers at each flight station Each of the 8 stations will have its own frequency allocated and should not be changed throughout the race The frequencies will be as follows: For best performance, the transmission polarity will be alternated from one station to the next These frequencies will be used exclusively for racing at this event F3Expocom @F3Expo #F3Expo contact@f3expocom
VTX Mounting Continued Goggle Requirements Please note at this time we do not know if we will be able to provide goggles or not at every station Our recommendation is that everybody will need to bring and use their own goggles for racing The video feed provided will be through a standard Fatshark/Immersion AV cable terminated in a 4 position 35mm jack The pinout for attaching your own goggles (if not Fatshark) is displayed below: If your goggles receive a composite (yellow video, red audio left, white audio right) input, please provide your own cable, as the Immersion RC Raceband Station also offers a Female Composite Out Transmitter Pinout Requirements: To attach the transmitter provided by the VTX director to your racing quad, standard ImmersionRC type 5 position Molex type connectors will be used, just like in the picture below The cable connector set is composed of 2 different connectors One is a 2 position Molex connector supplying power to the video transmitter (VTX) The Black is ground (battery negative) and the red is the positive voltage coming from your battery, up to 16V The second is a 5 position connector and the signal pins are as follows: RED +5V out from the transmitter, supplying power to the camera, BLACK ground connection, YELLOW Video signal coming from the camera, WHITE Audio left, GREEN Audio right Depending on what type of camera you are using the schematic of connecting the camera will change F3Expocom @F3Expo #F3Expo contact@f3expocom
VTX Mounting Continued For 5V Cameras: If you use 5V cameras from Fatshark or with cables compatible with them, you can just simply plug those in to the transmitter In this case your camera already comes with a connector matching the transmitter For any other 5V cameras, if you do not have one, you can purchase an Immersion RC wire-set from here and wire it up yo your camera as the signal lines describe below: (we will have some available onsite) From the 5 Pin connector: You will need the RED 5V to power your camera, BLACK ground to the camera, YELLOW video signal from your camera You can ignore the audio signals if you do not have them From the 2 Pin connector: You will need to wire up the RED to your battery positive lead and the BLACK to your battery ground lead with this supplying battery power to the VTX For 12V cameras: In case you use a 12V camera for your setup, you cannot use the RED (+5V) supply line form the transmitter to power your camera In this case your camera will have to be powered separately, and you only needc to bring in the Video and Ground signal to the raceband VTX: As you can see the camera power is not even represented on this image due to the fact that is separately handled on your own installation On the 5 pin Molex connector the only two signal lines required are the Video out from your camera (YELLOW) and the ground (BLACK) On the two pin connector the RED is connected to your battery positive lead and the BLACK is connected to your battery ground All transmitters will be provided with strong Velcro strips attached, and mating patches will be provided for each quads Looking forward to seeing you at F3Expo in the First-Person! END TRANSMISSION F3Expocom @F3Expo #F3Expo contact@f3expocom