Start a club

Most UK FPV racing started with one person finding a field and inviting a few pilots along. If you are thinking of doing the same, the BDRA can help — we share experience and equipment with new clubs and groups, and we can put you in touch with the nearest established club.

1. Find a site

You need somewhere with permission to fly, enough space for a course, and a safe area for spectators and pilots. Common options are an existing model flying club’s field, a farmer’s field, a sports hall or leisure centre (for tiny whoop racing), and school or scout halls.

Talk to your local BMFA-affiliated model club first — many are glad of new members and already have insured, established sites.

2. Sort out insurance and affiliation

Public liability insurance comes as part of BMFA membership, and BMFA club affiliation is the usual route to being properly covered as a group. The BDRA is a recognised Specialist Body of the BMFA, so we can point you at the right people.

3. Decide what you are running

• A social race night — a handful of pilots, a few gates, a phone timer. This is where nearly everyone starts.
• Timed club racing — add a timing system and run proper heats. See our recommended LiveTime settings for the configuration we suggest starting from, so your results are comparable with everyone else’s.
• A BDRA qualifying event (BQE) — once your club is running smoothly, you can apply to host a round that counts towards the national league and the British Championships. Get in touch and we will talk you through it.

4. Kit for the first few nights

A club does not need much to begin: gates and flags, a laptop, a timing system, spare batteries and a first-aid kit. Pilots bring their own aircraft, goggles and radios.

Affiliated clubs get support and equipment from the BDRA for running races — tell us what you are planning and we will see what we can lend or help fund.

5. Tell people you exist

Set up a Facebook group or Discord server so pilots can find you and see when you are flying, then email us and we will add you to Clubs in the UK. Listing your race nights on the iFPV calendar puts them in front of every UK racer — and on the BDRA homepage.

Talk to us first

You do not have to work any of this out on your own. Email info@bdra.uk with roughly where you are and what you have in mind, and we will put you in touch with the nearest club and someone who has done it before.