2016 FAI Annual Report

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FAI ANNUAL REPORT–2016 FAI ANNUAL REPORT–2016 28 29
Innovation
Drones
Drone Racing is the newest air sport within the FAI.
Driven by the development of easily available technology,
drones have brought tens of thousands of new people
into the world of air sports very quickly.
In countries across theworld, whether it’s flying a drone for
photography, racingdrones, or usingdrones for business, it is
clear that awhole newworld of aerial activity is opening up.
But howdo you distinguish between the hype surrounding
drones and genuine future possibilities?
DRONE RACING
Inair sports, drone racinghasemergedasonegenuine reality.
Thousands of pilots are already taking part, hundreds of
clubs have sprung up and several high profile competition
circuits have evolved.
Fromgrass roots to top level, the FAI is nowworking towards
developing drone racing as a legitimate and sustainable
sport. It is helping to create new competition formats, a
sporting code and rules around drone competition.
Last year, for example, saw the inaugural FPV (First Person
View) RacingWorld Cup, a series of 12 international Drone
Racing events. Won by Belgian pilot Vincent Delcommene
[picture], more than 200 pilots from17 countries competed.
This year promises tobe evenbigger, withmanymore events
confirmed for the 2017 season of the FAI Drone Racing
World Cup. The circuit is expected to take in venues from
Korea to Poland, and will last fromMarch until November.
Separately, the 1st FAI WorldDrone Racing Championships
will also takeplace in2017or 2018. Plus, theFAI will organise
the first international FAI Drones Conference and Expo at
the EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 1 and 2 September
2017. Providing an open forumfor debate and learning from
all parts of the drone world, it will welcome the world of
drones through its doors.
SAFETY AND THE FUTURE
As theworld governing body for all air sports recognised by
the International Olympic Committee, the FAI is responsible
for world drone sports. And as drones develop across the
world and hundreds of thousands of people are caught up
in their magic, the FAI plans to be at the heart of this new
and exciting discipline.
However, as with any fast-growing activity, the excitement
and ease of access has brought with it many challenges
and questions. These range from, for example, the use
of air space to how to introduce thousands of new drone
pilots to the regulations surrounding air law– critical to
maintaining safety in the skies.
The FAI is helping to lead the way in the development of
drone technology and regulations. Working with air sports
associations in its member countries the FAI is dealing
with the sporting and regulatory aspects of drones, and
helping to coordinate and sanction the new sport at an
international level.
From local clubs to national aero associations, the FAI’s
focus is on how to help bring all of the many different
stakeholders together, and place them inside the FAI
sporting landscape.
The FAI’s Mission Statement states that it is, “the global
organisation for the promotionof air sports and recreational
flying”. And the VisionStatement outlines the long-termaim
of the Federation’s work: “Aworldwhere safe participation
in air sports and recreational flying is available to everyone
at reasonable cost.”
It is these core principles and fundamental, long-term
sentiments that are guiding the FAI’s priorities, actions
and responsibilities in relation to drones.
Drones have already taken to the skies in their thousands
– the FAI plans to be right there alongside them.
“The preparations for
the1st FAI World Drone
Racing Championships
are underway .”