Meet Highlights
Fixed Wing Mini Class Race
Have you watched the racing from the sidelines and wanted to join, but needed an easier staring point to get involved? Do you have a great little fun plane that you'd like to lap the course with, but it's more about maneuverability than speed? If so, or if you just want to enjoy some racing with a little less pressure, then the mini class is for you! This is an "open" class for any fixed wing pusher airframe with a 30" or smaller wingspan.
Fixed Wing Unlimited Class Race
Have you ever experienced the thrill of a half dozen race wings screaming by, inches apart at over 100 miles per hour? You will! We're moving to an open class fun format this year so it's run-what-you-brung pusher class, and David Whiddon will be returning once again to yell at our planes. If you've never been to the South to hear a salty Australian from Canada emcee some fast paced wing racing action then you're in for a treat!
MultiGP Quad Race
Our friends from the ROTORacers crew are putting together an amazing new extreme track for your racing pleasure this year! The track will once again reside at the camp's quad playground, featuring a completely private track (separate from fixed wing), with a 5000 square foot covered pavilion to set up under, and lots of natural obstacles in the area.
Team Enduro Quad Race
At 30 minutes of frenzied fun, the enduro team event is like the craziest relay race you've ever seen! A team of three to five pilots fly in sequence, but if your quad goes down it stays down unless one of our fearless recovery crew can brave the active track long enough to retrieve it. You think flying an oval course for 30 minutes is easy? Think again! This event is always a crowd favorite, and is complete adrenalin overload!
Fixed Wing Team Enduro Race
Imagine a tag team event with several of you wing buddies where the goal is as many laps as possible in 45 minutes. Do you go all out and land to swap packs more often, or take it easy and minimize the pit stops? Fast and furious or slow and steady? It takes wing racing, and strategy to a whole new level!
Drag Racing
I live my life a quarter mile at a time... followed by another quarter mile back. It's like a double drag race with a U-turn in the middle, and speed is king. There will be events for both quads and planes, and a year's worth of bragging rights to follow.
Chopped
It's the ultimate game of Tag. One wing with streamers attached, and a horde of angry quads chasing it. The wing is on the run, and the quads are out for blood. Can the wing play keep away from four furious flying fans?
Fixed Wing Combat
The CFL Thuderdome is open; two teams enter, one team leaves. Each team gets a 60" or larger mothership, and your goal is to keep it flying. Your opponent's goal is to send it plummeting to the earth. While the mothership and pilot is provided, other participants get to determine whether to play offense or defense. Use your plane to protect your mothership, or to attack your opponent's. This is a LOS event, with the exception of one FPV craft per team. Who will emerge victorious?
Blind Man's Bluff
A crowd favorite returns. This is the one event that takes no piloting skill and is guaranteed to make the highlight reel. If you've been, you know how this game works. If it's your first time joining us, well then we prefer to surprise you!
Fireworks Flying
This is a pyrotechnic party like no other. Flying through fireworks, whether via FPV or LOS is an experience you won't soon forget. We accumulate all the large multi-shot bricks we can get our hands on, for a session of non-stop fire in the sky. Everyone is invited to put their planes or quads in the air and cheat death by flying though the melee. It's as close as you'll likely ever get to feeling like a fighter pilot under anti-aircraft fire!
Awards Dinner - Saturday
This is an event that you definitely don't want to miss! ReadyMadeRC, our premier sponsor, will be helping us put the icing on the cake of a fun-filled weekend! The evening will begin with a catered dinner featuring some great food. You don't have to buy a dinner ticket to attend the ceremony, but you will probably wish you had when the food starts rolling out! If you haven't purchased dinner yet and would like to, get your ticket here before the ordering is closed.
As the dinner winds down, we'll begin the awards presentation to recognize those pilots that have risked life and limb (okay, props and foam) to secure their spot in the winners' circle for the racing and contests. Once the awards ceremony is over it's drawing time! This drawing is a MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN! Don't be the guy that skips the festivities, only to find out that you missed out on claiming a major prize!
Event Schedule
Thursday
7:00 Open Flying - Self Managed Frequency Control
10:00 Check In and Operations Open
10:00 Board Controlled Frequency Management Begins
11:00 Food Vendor Open
4:00 Fixed Wing Combat
4:30 Chopped - Quad Streamer Cutting Chaos
6:00 Food Vendor Closed
6:15 Wing Gaggle
6:30 Operations Closed
6:30 Open Night Flying - Self Managed Frequency Control
Friday
7:00 Open Flying - Self Managed Frequency Control
7:30 Food Vendor Open
7:30 Fixed Wing Open Class Racing Begins (Main Field, All Frequencies Closed)
8:00 Check In and Operations Open
10:30 Fixed Wing Racing Ends
10:30 Pilot Briefing - All Flight Suspended
10:45 Board Controlled Frequency Management Begins
2:00 Blind Man's Bluff 3.0 Contest
2:15 FPV Drag Racing (Fixed Wing and Multirotor)
5:00 Food Vendor Closed
6:15 Wing Gaggle
6:30 Operations Closed
6:30 Open Night Flying - Self Managed Frequency Control
7:00 Pizza Night
8:00 Tiny Whoop Race (Registration Tent - 5.8 GHz Closed)
Saturday
7:00 Open Flying - Self Managed Frequency Control
7:30 Food Vendor Open
7:30 Fixed Wing Mini Class Racing Begins (Main Field, All Frequencies Closed)
8:00 Check In and Operations Open
9:00 Fixed Wing Enduro Team Race (Main Field, 5.8 Ghz Closed)
10:30 Fixed Wing Racing Ends
10:30 Pilot Briefing - All Flight Suspended
10:45 Group Photo
11:00 Board Controlled Frequency Management Begins
2:00 Blind Man's Bluff 3.0 Contest
2:15 Multirotor Enduro Team Race (Main Field, 5.8 Ghz Closed)
5:00 Food Vendor Closed
6:15 Wing Gaggle
6:30 Operations Closed
6:30 Open Night Flying - Self Managed Frequency Control
7:30 Awards Banquet and Dinner
8:30 Prize Drawings (Awards Banquet)
9:45 Fly Through The Fireworks
Sunday
7:00 Open Flying - Self Managed Frequency Control
7:30 Food Vendor Open
8:00 Check In and Operations Open
8:00 Board Controlled Frequency Management Begins
9:00 Multirotor Championship Race (Quad Playground)
2:00 Food Vendor Closed
2:30 Open Flying - Self Managed Frequency Control
2:30 Operations Closed
2:30 Teardown Begins
Event Details
Registration
Registration for each contest will occur the day of the event. If you're registered as a pilot then you're all set for now.
Racing - Multirotor Enduro Team Race
Classes: Race will be open to any form of FPV multirotor with a maximum of a 6S power system.
Team Requirement: Minimum of three pilots, maximum of five pilots.
Contest Details: Multirotor team race is a heads up winner take all event. One member from each team takes off and flies until they are ready to land. Upon landing a spotter retrieves the quad, it is powered down, the next team member powers up, and takes off. The team to complete the most laps in 30 minutes is the winner. Each team pilot must take turns in their assigned order, you may not use your "ringer" pilot to fly every other relay.
Racing - Fixed Wing Enduro Team Race
Classes: Race will be open to any form of FPV pusher plane with a maximum of a 4S power system.
Team Requirement: Minimum of three pilots, maximum of five pilots.
Contest Details: Fixed wing team race is a heads up winner take all event. One member from each team takes off and flies until they are ready to land. Upon landing a spotter retrieves the plane, it is powered down, the next team member powers up, and takes off. The team to complete the most laps in 45 minutes is the winner. Each team pilot must take turns in their assigned order, you may not use your "ringer" pilot to fly every other relay. Additionally, no single pilot may fly more than 50% of the team's laps.
Racing - Multirotor Championship Race
Classes: All races will be open to any form of FPV multirotor with a maximum of a 6S power system.
Contest Details: The multirotor race will now be a MultiGP style full day of racing! A big thanks goes to Orlando's very own ROTORacers, one of the largest and oldest MultiGP chapters in existence for running this event.
Racing - Fixed Wing Race
Classes: Mini-class and Open
Contest Details: This will be a more causal form of racing than past years, and will run in a bracket based elimination style (dependent upon the number of racers). Mini-class is open to all pusher airframes with a wingspan of 30" or less. Open class allows any size pusher airframe. Note that course design will ensure that it's not just about speed, so everyone has a shot!
Racing - Tiny Whoop Race
Classes: Tiny Whoop, built from a Blade Inductrix or Inductrix FPV variant, or equivalent model, with an 85mm or less frame size and ducted propellors.
By popular demand, we have split the racing into Stock, and Open class this year. Stock class is limited to 6mm brushed motors and a 1S battery. The Open class may run brushless motors up to 8mm and a 2S battery.
Contest Details: All the world is a race course when you're only three inches tall! However, for this race, the course will be laid out under the 40' x 60' operations and pilot tent. The devious minds at CFL FPV are still deciding what obstacles you'll have to contend with, but with front row seating for the spectators, and a host of possible surprises, you can be sure that the it will be tons of fun, whether you're the pilot or just a race fan!
Racing - Multirotor Drag Racing
Classes: Open class, no maximum on power system. Run what you brung!
Contest Details: Pilots run a two at a time, and are timed from the buzzer (standing start on the ground), out and around a fixed point, and then back across the finish line. All times are recorded, and the top four fastest run head to head in a single elimination semi-final, then a final.
Racing - Fixed Wing Drag Racing
Classes: Open class, no maximum on power system. Run what you brung!
Contest Details: Pilots run a two at a time, and are timed from the buzzer (standing start on the ground), out and around a fixed point, and then back across the finish line. A launcher (person or mechanical) is required. All times are recorded, and the top four fastest run head to head in a single elimination semi-final, then a final.
Chopped - Multirotor
Classes: Open to any form of FPV multirotor, may be flown FPV or LOS.
Contest Details: A fixed wing plane with attached streamer will serve as the target, while the quads attempt to cut the streamer.
Combat - Fixed Wing
Classes: Any form of fixed wing LOS aircraft.
Contest Details: Two or more teams will compete head to head in an attempt to disable the other team's mothership. Each team will get the use of one FPV frequency, the rest will be LOS. You may decide whether to play defense or offense, and how to use your single FPV channel. The last team with the mothership still in the air is the winner.
Best Crash - Fixed Wing
Classes: Any form of FPV or LOS fixed wing aircraft.
Contest Details: Rubbin's racin' and if you're flying hard you're crashing, but sometimes there are those crashes that stand out. The ones that make spectators wonder if they should perhaps move away from the flight line, and that your buddies will be talking about two years from now. It's the kind of crash that leads to memes and earns you nicknames.
Blind Man's Bluff Contest
A wearable and fully enclosed viewing system with a 5.8GHz receiver on channel 5800 is required. It may be a pair of googles, an enclosed HeadPlay HD style display, or something custom, but you must have no external visibility while wearing it. It needs to be mobile and hands-free, so all receivers, antennas, and batteries must be wearable or contained in a bag or backpack.
Things To Know
The frequency badges will breakdown as follows:
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1258 MHz
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1280 MHz
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2.3 GHz (2010 MHz – 2390 MHz)
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2.4 GHz (2430 MHz – 2510 MHz)
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3.3 GHz (3330 MHz – 3370 MHz)
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3.4 GHz (3430 MHz – 3470 MHz)
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5.8 GHz #1 (R1 - 5658 MHz)
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5.8 GHz #2 (R2 - 5695 MHz)
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5.8 GHz #3 (F2 - 5760 MHz)
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5.8 GHz #4 (F4 - 5800 MHz)
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5.8 GHz #5 (R7 - 5880 MHz)
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5.8 GHz #6 (R8 - 5917 MHz)
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ConnexPro #1 (Fixed Mode 5255 MHz)
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ConnexPro #2 (Fixed Mode 5315 MHz)
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ConnexPro #3 (Fixed Mode 5515 MHz)
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DJI HD1 (See Details Below)
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DJI HD2 (See Details Below)
* ConnexPro HD systems must be used in Fixed Frequency Mode.
* Know your video frequency! Not your band, like 5.8GHz, but the specific channel/frequency you're using, and how to change channels on your VTx if necessary. You really don't want to be the person that brings someone else down by turning on the wrong channel.
* Due to the vast numbers of Crossfire systems in use these days, 900 MHz will not be used for video.
* 2.4GHz video is at your own risk as it will be in use for control systems, and does not always play well with video in the same band. If you choose to use those video frequencies then we assume you have made an informed decision and are comfortable with that possibility.
* 5.8GHz users will run IMD6C frequencies as noted in the frequency list above:
Quad Area Pilots - There will be three reserved chairs utilizing the 5.8 GHz #1, #3, and #5 badges under the canopy at the quad course. If the chair for your desired frequency is available you will claim it (or wait in line until available) and fly until either your battery is dead (one battery max per time slot) or you can no longer fly due to damage. It's your choice as to whether you wish to use the time for racing practice, freestyle, or just casual free flight. There is no need to wait for clock based slots that start on the hour or at specific times.
5.8GHz Fixed Wing Pilots - There will be three reserved chairs utilizing the 5.8 GHz #2, #4, and #6 badges under the canopy at the operations tent. You will fly until either your battery is dead (one battery max per time slot), you can no longer fly due to damage, or a maximum of 15 minutes. It's your choice as to whether you wish to use the time for racing practice, freestyle, or just casual free flight. There is no need to wait for clock based slots that start on the hour or at specific times.
Non 5.8 GHz Pilots - All pilots flying frequencies other than 5.8 GHz analog channels will utilize 15 minute time slots and badges based on timers and "virtual chairs". You will "line up" by placing your name tag next to the frequency that you wish to use, and pilots will take turns in the order that they lined up. You are not required to actually fly from the operations tent.
DJI HD Users - All pilots utilizing a DJI HD system must set the system to fixed frequency (non-hopping) mode. Quad area pilots will use DJI1 and utilize the R1 (5.8 GHz #1) badge/chair. Fixed wing pilots will use DJI2 and utilize the R2 (5.8 GHz #2) badge/chair. Additionally, due to the transmitting nature of the DJI goggles, DJI HD users should keep a 10' separation from other 5.8 GHz analog receivers.
* Do NOT turn on or power up any video transmitter without being in possession of the corresponding video frequency badge.
* When it is your turn and you're ready to power up, turn on your video receiver first and verify that there is not a signal already present on that frequency. If the receiver is getting static and you're ready to power up your video transmitter, call out your frequency. LOUDLY. Wait a second and listen to make certain that no one else is currently running that frequency. Yes, it's your time with the tag, but sometimes people make mistakes. After you turn on your video transmitter, take another moment and listen for the sound of screaming and/or anguish. If you hear that, power down immediately! You may be in the right, but it still sucks to crash another pilot because you turned on.
* Do not power up right next to another pilot's ground station antenna. Even on a different frequency, you may interfere with their video.
* No boosters or megawatt transmitters. This is a group meet. It's a time to chase other pilots around the field in tandem, fly through the race gates, show off for the spectators, and just generally have fun! It's not the time to attempt a new personal altitude or distance record. We'll be flying with managed time slots, so you won't be able to make long distance treks anyway. Play nice with your fellow pilots and leave the super high power gear behind.
* IMMEDIATELY turn your tag back in after your flight is completed. This should be your number one priority after powering down your aircraft. Plan ahead so that you may land, power down, and turn in your frequency badge by the end of your time slot. Do not wait until the next time slot is beginning to start thinking about landing. Be courteous to your fellow pilots; they may be the one ahead of you next time.
* Do not land right next to another pilot's ground station antenna. Even on a different frequency, you may interfere with their video.
* Have fun and be safe!
Fixed Wing Course
Quad Playground
(Previous course pictured for reference, 2020 course to be unveiled event)
What To Bring
Everyone
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Lots of fun things to fly, and spare parts!
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Bug Spray - It shouldn't be needed in February, but it is Florida.
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Flashlight - It's a big camp, and the night is dark and full of terrors. Okay, not so much terror, it's just a quote.
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Money - There will be many sponsors on-hand with some great deals, and a food vendor during the days, so come prepared. There's usually a few people with their own personal swap meet going on too.
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FM Radio - We will have a full time professional emcee, with lots of announcements that you'll want to hear. The camp is a big area so we'll be broadcasting the PA on a low power FM transmitter. Having a small radio or boombox in your pit or campsite will make it much easier to keep up with what's going on!
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Mobile Phone - Okay, so I probably don't have to remind you of that one, but we'll also be sending out updates through a text notification service during the meet. Whether you're in your RV, out at the cabins, strolling a nature trail, or lounging by the pool at the hotel, you can be kept up to date on all the highlights of the meet! To opt in, text the word CFLFPV to 84483.
Campers
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There are real bathrooms and showers for you to use. This isn't a hotel, you'll need your own soap, shampoo, towel, and anything else required for your daily routine. It's summer camp style, so I'd suggest a pair of flip flops to wear in the bathroom, and a robe or t-shirt and shorts. Please don't scar your fellow pilots by being that guy that is way too comfortable naked around a bunch of strangers.
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Blankets - It's Florida in February, it could be in the 80's or the 30's. Come prepared for either possibility unless you've checked the weather just beforehand and feel confident in your weatherperson.
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Earplugs - If you're a light sleeper, you may want some of these. A tent doesn't block much sound, and some people like to fly late into the night and/or early in the morning. It's a flying meet, that's what they're here to do! If you get grumpy without your beauty rest then come prepared.
Bunk Renters
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Bedding and linens. You are responsible for providing your own bedding and pillow! Don't show up empty handed unless a bare mattress appeals to you.
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Each cabin has at least two full bathrooms. As mentioned for the campers above, bring your own toiletries, towels, and whatever you choose to sleep in or wear around the cabin.
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Each cabin will be provided with a basic FM radio. Most cabins are divided into three rooms that may be closed off from each other, so if you're not in the "radio room" you may choose to bring an additional radio of your own for listening to meet announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’m brand new to FPV, should I attend an event like this?
A: We all have to start somewhere. You may find that a larger event like this is more intimidating for a new pilot, and it is not the best environment to learn to fly if you’re still getting the hang of things, but it’s a fantastic way to meet other pilots and to learn from more experienced veterans. Even if you don’t fly at the event, it’s a tremendous educational experience.
Q: I’m a hardcore Quad racer, what will the competition and class breakdown look like?
A: This is an FPV “fun” meet with some racing, not a race meet. Please see the Event Details above for a full breakdown of the different races and class explanations. This meet is not 100% focused on competition. We will have some great racing (both multirotor and fixed wing), but will also have unique contests like Limbo and Combat, as well as a few surprises that will be unlike anything you’ve seen before! If a race meet is the only thing you’ve ever done, you may be surprised to see how enjoyable a laid back “fun” meet is!
Q: Is this an AMA meet? Is AMA membership required?
A: No, this is not an AMA sanctioned meet, as some aspects of FPV flight do not fall within the AMA guidelines. The AMA is working to find reasonable methods of managing FPV flight, and we hope that as the hobby grows we will be able to host such events under AMA sanctioning in the future.
Q: I only fly line of sight (LOS), may I attend this event?
A: We welcome modelers of all types to come watch and meet other pilots, especially if you’re interested in learning about FPV. We will offer a few times for LOS flying, however, since this is an FPV specific event, most of the events and contests will require FPV flight. There are some pilots that enter but never fly, just for a chance to meet other pilots, learn more about FPV, and have a shot at the tremendous amount of prizes being given away!
Q: Do I have to register in order to fly or compete in the contests?
A: Yes, due to channel conflicts and liability reasons, only registered pilots will be able to fly during the meet.
Q: I just want to buy a ticket for a shot at the prizes, are there "raffle only" tickets available?
A: No, in order to keep the prizes available for the pilots, it will not be possible to gain entry into the main prize drawing unless you sign up as a pilot. However, there may be some additional raffle only prizes.
Q: I’m sure my name will be drawn, do I have to be present to win?
A: No, you don't have to be present to win, but you do have to claim your prize by the awards banquet and major drawing on Saturday night. If you win a prize before you check-in, or while you're away, we'll put it aside with your name on it. At 7:00 PM Saturday any unclaimed prizes will go back into the prize pool for the big must-be-present-to-win drawing at the banquet.
Q: I hear that some of you guys are a little crazy, is this a family friendly event?
A: Generally speaking, yes! Some of the pilots may relax around the camp fire at night, and as with any after-hours social gathering a parent should moderate which conversations and environments are appropriate for kids to be involved in. It's probably best for the kids to head out before the evening gets too late, but we always have a great group of entertaining pilots though that are eager to meet fellow FPV’ers.
Q: The announcement says this is a charity meet, but flying RC aircraft doesn’t sound very charitable. What’s the story?
A: In order to give something back to our local community, as well as to highlight the fact that “drone” (let’s face it, that’s what everyone knows them as now) doesn’t have to be a dirty word, we wanted to make the meet about more than just a bunch of grown (mostly) men having fun. As with most charity events, it’s a lot easier to get people involved and willing to help a cause if you can entertain them while doing so. The meet will still be a lot of fun, and thanks to the generosity of our sponsors we aren’t cutting any corners, but we’re also working to be responsible with our funds so that we may donate all net proceeds to Easter Seals Florida.
Q: What is Easter Seals Florida?
A: Easter Seals Florida is a charity headquartered here in Orlando that has been helping others since 1948. Their mission is to provide exceptional services, education, outreach, and advocacy so that people living with autism and other disabilities can live, learn, work and play in our communities. ESF is part of the national Easter Seals organization that has been helping those in need live better lives for nearly 100 years.
Q: I have a store/website/trunk that I sell RC gear from, may I setup a store onsite?
A: In order to keep things fair for our paying sponsors we do have some rules in place regarding product sales and advertising. There are many levels of sponsorship available, so if you'd like to join us as a sponsor please send us an email at cflfpv@gmail.com.