Russia's Finest Drone Pilots Show Off Their Skills in First Grand Prix

Russia's first drone grand prix began on April 13; a chance for racers to pit themselves against each other, and for curious members of the public to learn more about unmanned aircraft systems.

Russian drone enthusiasts have begun pitting their piloting skills against each other in Russia's first drone grand prix.

On Wednesday around 20 pilots maneuvered their drones around the flying route's obstacles at speeds of more than 150 kmh, with the help of video goggles that transmit information from cameras mounted on the vehicles.

"We want to hold these competitions as often as possible. We want to show that it is not just the simplest way to access the sky – because helicopters and planes are more expensive than drones – but to show that this is a real sport," competition organizer Vladlen Sitnikov told Ruptly.

The three day event also gives enthusiasts the opportunity to find out more about the latest trends in drone technology, take part in master-classes and lectures from drone pilots, and try their hand at piloting drones.

The competition follows the World Drone Grand Prix in Dubai last month, in which the Russian team led by Vladimir Meshcheriakov took third place and won $50,000 in prize money.

At the Russian Grand Prix on Wednesday Meshcheriakov, who built his own drone, said that anybody can have a go at making their own device for as little as $200.

Vladimir Meshcheriakov warming up his drone before Wednesday's race.

"I've been racing for a year, before that I was operating radio-controlled helicopters and airplanes. Then I saw a Youtube video where they were racing drones, I really wanted to do it too so I made a drone and started flying," Meshcheriakov said.

The organizers have uploaded a live feed of the competition on their Facebook page.