03-Mar-2016, 01:58 PM (This post was last modified: 14-Mar-2016, 11:10 AM by Carlos Costa.)
The World Drone Prix 2016 is now finished
![[Image: 7oDNy4l.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/7oDNy4l.jpg)
With 32 teams sponsored by the organization to attend and with several other pre-qualified teams in Dubai for the qualifier, who will be able to make it to the final and win?
And what will this mean for our sport in the future?
FINALS & WINNERS
![[Image: 4s3TV7y.png]](http://i.imgur.com/4s3TV7y.png)
![[Image: Uc4m29t.png]](http://i.imgur.com/Uc4m29t.png)
To better understand what was the WDP and how will worked we need to go back to the very start.
PRE-QUALIFICATION
Simply put, in order to pre-qualify to the event you would need to have the following requirements:
Have a team of 4 to 5 members comprised of:
A team manager
A pilot
A navigator
A technician
A pit crew member (optional)
Create a video with:
Presentation of your team
Unedited onboard recording and HD recording of a track where you perform the minimum of
4 90 degree turns
1 180 degree turn
1 10 meter drop
1 pit stop
1 km track (which could be divided into several laps)
and send it to the WDP organization for evaluation until the 15th February
Here are some examples:
PRE-QUALIFICATION PASSED
If you were good enough and the judges agreed, you and your team were sent an email on the 23rd February (or a date close by) indicating that you had pre-qualified together with a formal invitation for the team to attend the Official Dubai WDP Qualifier at Skydive Dubai on March 7-8, 2016.
The Qualifier is the final, mandatory selection step before 32 teams are accepted to participate in the World Drone Prix Dubai 2016.
![[Image: dTb9YMY.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/dTb9YMY.jpg)
A follow up confirmation email on where you were on a sponsored team or not and next steps came on the 27th February together with a race pack indicating everything that you required to attend and race.
![[Image: 4AdmqS5.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/4AdmqS5.jpg)
This meant that while 32 teams are getting sponsored with their trip and accommodation payed for, many other teams will have to pay for their own expenses if they wish to attend.
Here are the 32 teams that were sponsored
![[Image: 3KdNA5m.png]](http://i.imgur.com/3KdNA5m.png)
And here is a video of a team that got to the 32 best
QUALIFIERS
REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFIER
If you are attending Freestyle race you will be given equal amounts of time. You must have an HD camera like a go-pro 4 or session 4 and record in 1080p 60fps or one will be provided to
you.
If you prequalified to race you cannot attend Freestyle.
Only the people who signed up as a freestyle pilot online may compete in the freestyle competition.
If you are racing you do not need to use the same drone for qualifying and racing but they must both be able to carry the HD Box.
The qualifying track will be in a building which is 50m x 30m.
There will be 1 level change and 6-8 turns. Gates will have a minimum size of 2x2m.
All drones used in the WDP Event - Qualifier, Practice and Race must comply with the Technical Requirements Document.
The term identical refers to the compliance with the technical requirements, but does not to extend to the props, body, and motor used. These may be changed through the Qualifier Day 1 and 2 and Practice and Practice Race sessions, but have to be locked on the first WDP Race day.
During the Qualifier, teams may use 2.4 Mhz frequency for RC.
Each pilot will get a chance to fly the qualifying track during the first 2 days March 7-8, then the final 32 teams will Practice on the 9th and 10th.
Except for during the first qualifier you have 5 min alloted to get your best lap time so if you crash you can retrieve your craft, fix it and fly only with in that allotted 5 min.
MANDATORY GEAR FOR QUALIFIERS
Qualifying gear is being provided to pilots by WDP.
1. a Go-Pro that will be the same size and weight as the HD box for the final race (has added dummy weight). You will only need to attach it to your drone.
2. a Radio Frequency Identification device. It will be attached to bottom of craft by sticky tape. It weighs 17grams, and it’s 36x40x9mm.
None of these have power requirements.
The following must be provided by the team for the qualifying
1. FPV gear
2. Control radio frequencies of 2.4GHz, 900MHz, or 433MHz
3. Goggles/screen
INDOOR QUALIFYING RACE TRACK
![[Image: mZUV3dT.png]](http://i.imgur.com/mZUV3dT.png)
![[Image: 4DBDoKE.png]](http://i.imgur.com/4DBDoKE.png)
![[Image: Zi1qPiU.png]](http://i.imgur.com/Zi1qPiU.png)
![[Image: OLGJL2P.png]](http://i.imgur.com/OLGJL2P.png)
QUALIFICATION PASSED
![[Image: zKU8WV1.png]](http://i.imgur.com/zKU8WV1.png)
Here's a team Vlog about all they had to do in qualification
FREESTYLE
Johnny Schaer
Chad Novak
Luke Bannister
Minchan Kim
RACE
REQUIREMENTS FOR RACE
During the Race, each team is allowed 2 identical aircrafts.
The Primary, and Backup aircraft.
Both must be identical electronically, mechanically, and have the same build structure. The only difference is the aircraft registration tag ( a sticker provided by WDP post technical inspection).
All backup aircrafts must be inspected and follow regulation.
During the Race, teams will be required to use 900 Mhz or 433 Mhz for RC.
In the cases that the teams do not have the necessary equipment for 900Mhz or 433Mhz, WDP will provide the equipment that shall be returned to WDP in order to be used by the following teams shall they need it.
The HD system must be placed flat on top of the drone and nothing can be placed on top of it.
Please be advised that all entered drones will be put through technical inspection prior to the Dubai Qualifier and must be accommodating to the HD
system. Only the drones that fit the requirements outlined in the Technical Requirements section of your Invitation Package will be allowed to participate. It is also important to note that only the drones identical to those flown in the Dubai Qualifier may be used in the Race.
MANDATORY GEAR FOR RACE
WDP will supply the team with:
1. HD Box, This system will only be used for the Race of 32 pilots. The box must be mounted flat on top of the drone with nothing above it. It cannot be on its side
or vertical. I can be tilted. The camera is adjustable from 0-45° and must not have any obstructions. It will operating at 2.4 GHz and will be the following specs:
<200 grams
10W power consumption
XT-60 connector(Female)
95X61X25mm
![[Image: KAaNjVI.png]](http://i.imgur.com/KAaNjVI.png)
2.Team Black Sheep Unified Pro 5G8 VTX
http://team-blacksheep.com/products/prod:unify_pro
5v input
The following must be provided by the team for the qualifying
1. FPV gear (minus VTX)
2. Radio control frequencies for practice and Finals only 900MHz or 433MHz.
3. Goggles/screen
MAIN RACE TRACK
![[Image: G4DkHGM.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/G4DkHGM.jpg)
![[Image: IRzgq9G.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/IRzgq9G.jpg)
![[Image: cXWdLXF.png]](http://i.imgur.com/cXWdLXF.png)
![[Image: BzM0Idr.png]](http://i.imgur.com/BzM0Idr.png)
FAQ Technical Questions
Q: Can we fly around Dubai?
A: No. It is illegal. You could be arrested, imprisoned, and of course disqualified from the race.
Q: But we’ve seen footage of people flying up the Burj Khalifa?!
A: If you are not caught by police, and we catch you flying illegally, we will disqualify you immediately. Please don’t do it. It’s not worth it.
Q: What’s up with the Freestyle contest?
A: There is Indoor qualifying, You will be given equal amounts of time. You must have an HD camera like a go-pro 4 or session 4 and record in 1080p 60fps or one will be provided to you.
Those that make it past the Qualifiers, will compete during the finals.
There will be a section of time allotted for all the final freestyle competitors.
Q: I pre-Qualified as a pilot for the race, Can I enter the freestyle competition?
A: Unfortunately Not, only the people who signed up as a freestyle pilot online may compete in the freestyle competition.
Q: What type of gear is required for the freestyle Competition?
A: You are only required to have an HD camera that can record 1080p 60fps.
Q: How will freestyle be judged?
A: By judges and crowd based on the criteria listed in the original online application (no longer online) which is 1. Level of flight control, 2. Level of Entertainment, 3. Agility and Maneuverability, 4. Variety of Tricks performed, 5. Difficulty of Tricks performed.
Q: Do we have to use the same drone for racing and for freestyle?
A: No
Q: Do we have to use the same drone for Qualifiers and the Race?
A: No, but they must both be able to carry the HD Box.
Q: If I make it to the final 32, Do I have to use the same drone for each elimination round?
A: Yes. And you can have one exact replica to use only if approved by WORD.
Q: What will the indoor qualifying track be like?
A: The building is 50m x 30m, there will be 1 level change and 6-8 turns. Gates will have a minimum size of 2x2m.
Q: What type of gear is given to us for the Qualifiers?
A: We are providing 2 things, 1. A Go-Pro Box 2. RFID
1. We are providing a Go-Pro that will be the same size and weight as the HD box for the final race (has added dummy weight). You will only need to attach it somehow. (Velcro)
2. Radio Frequency Identification Devise. It will be attached to bottom of craft by sticky tape. It weighs 17grams, and it’s 36x40x9mm.
Q: What type of power will those require during the qualifier?
A. No power requirements from us on the indoor Race.
Q: What type of FPV camera is the WDP providing?
A. None. You must use your own FPV camera for the entire event.
Q: What type of VTX are you providing?
A. 1.For the qualifier, you provide your own.
2.For the Final race we will provide you with the Team Black Sheep Unified Pro 5G8
http://team-blacksheep.com/products/prod:unify_pro
your technician will have to install before final race. Your FPV camera can be powered from it.
Q: What Radio control frequencies can I use?
A: For Qualifiers, you can use 2.4GHz, 900MHz, or 433MHz.
B: For Practice and Finals only 900MHz or 433MHz.
********Please note we highly recommend installing the 900MHz and 433MHz system and
updating all firmware before coming.****************
Q: What gear are you providing for the Race of 32 pilots?
A: You will be given 2 things an “HD Box”, and VTX.
1. HD Box, This system will only be used for the Race of 32 pilots. The box must be mounted flat on top of the drone with nothing above it. It cannot be on its side
or vertical. I can be tilted. The camera is adjustable from 0-45° and must not have any obstructions. It will operating at 2.4 GHz and will be the following specs:
• <200 grams
• 10W power consumption
• XT-60 connector(Female)
• 95X61X25mm
2.For the Final race we will provide you with the Team Black Sheep Unified Pro 5G8
http://team-blacksheep.com/products/prod:unify_pro
your technician will have to install before final race. Your FPV camera can be powered from it.
Q: What will our navigator use to see the race?
A: You will provide your own goggles or video screen.
Q: How will you prevent pilots from losing signal when other people are powering up?
A: During qualifiers, you are given build time then not allowed to touch drones while others are flying.
During the Race of 32 You are not able to power down during the race so you must do a “hot swap” and plug into the WDP House power base station in order to change the battery. This House power will be located in each pit stop. The hot swap will be a harness which goes between the battery and the drone with an extra connector that will plug into house power to allow the drone to stay powered, after your team has qualified for the final race your technician will be provided a diagram and connectors necessary to build this harness.
Q: How much flying will we get to do?
A: Each pilot will get a chance to fly the qualifying track during the first 2 days March 7-
8, then the final 32 teams will Practice on the 9th and 10th, Race of 32 on March 11th, Final 16 on March 12th.
Q: Will we have a chance to fly the track after the competition?
A: Unfortunately no, we must begin taking it down right away.
Q: Can we use HV batteries?
A: As long as the batteries comply by the regulation of 4s 75c Discharge lipo.
Q: Will props be provided?
A: No
Q: Will batteries be provided?
A: No
Q: Will there be soldering stations?
A: Yes, there will be a few stations and plenty of power supply but it’s best to bring your own.
Q: What is the schedule?
A: The detailed schedule will be distributed when the pilots arrive at 9am on March 7th.
At SkyDive Dubai at the Marina. (They have a desert location so don’t go there by mistake)
Q: How do we get there?
A: How ever you like. Taxi’s and Uber are great but there are also busses and trains here.
Q: What should we wear?
A:Feel free to wear what you like, as long as it is not offensive you should be ok.
Q: In the event of a crash will we have another chance to go again?
A: No. Except for during the first qualifier you have 5 min. to get your best lap time so if you crash you can retrieve it and fix it and fly only with in that allotted 5 min.
Q: How many Batteries can I bring?
A: Most international airlines allow up to 20 Lipo Batteries that are under 100 MwH each. However, please check with your airline because not all airlines allow this i.e. Delta Airlines.
PRIZES
![[Image: SS0Yumv.png]](http://i.imgur.com/SS0Yumv.png)
SCHEDULE
![[Image: DEDyHln.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/DEDyHln.jpg)
RACE DAY
![[Image: 12798993_10154035932946518_3475374787824...e=575C3984]](https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/12798993_10154035932946518_3475374787824584253_n.jpg?oh=ebd883474a9eaf6b1cfcb6f5baa0947b&oe=575C3984)
![[Image: 2Fa6hq9.png]](http://i.imgur.com/2Fa6hq9.png)
![[Image: VVi83qf.png]](http://i.imgur.com/VVi83qf.png)
Congratulations to the Winners!
See you again next year
With 32 teams sponsored by the organization to attend and with several other pre-qualified teams in Dubai for the qualifier, who will be able to make it to the final and win?
And what will this mean for our sport in the future?
FINALS & WINNERS
To better understand what was the WDP and how will worked we need to go back to the very start.
PRE-QUALIFICATION
Simply put, in order to pre-qualify to the event you would need to have the following requirements:
Have a team of 4 to 5 members comprised of:
A team manager
A pilot
A navigator
A technician
A pit crew member (optional)
Create a video with:
Presentation of your team
Unedited onboard recording and HD recording of a track where you perform the minimum of
4 90 degree turns
1 180 degree turn
1 10 meter drop
1 pit stop
1 km track (which could be divided into several laps)
and send it to the WDP organization for evaluation until the 15th February
Here are some examples:
PRE-QUALIFICATION PASSED
If you were good enough and the judges agreed, you and your team were sent an email on the 23rd February (or a date close by) indicating that you had pre-qualified together with a formal invitation for the team to attend the Official Dubai WDP Qualifier at Skydive Dubai on March 7-8, 2016.
The Qualifier is the final, mandatory selection step before 32 teams are accepted to participate in the World Drone Prix Dubai 2016.
A follow up confirmation email on where you were on a sponsored team or not and next steps came on the 27th February together with a race pack indicating everything that you required to attend and race.
This meant that while 32 teams are getting sponsored with their trip and accommodation payed for, many other teams will have to pay for their own expenses if they wish to attend.
Here are the 32 teams that were sponsored
And here is a video of a team that got to the 32 best
QUALIFIERS
REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFIER
If you are attending Freestyle race you will be given equal amounts of time. You must have an HD camera like a go-pro 4 or session 4 and record in 1080p 60fps or one will be provided to
you.
If you prequalified to race you cannot attend Freestyle.
Only the people who signed up as a freestyle pilot online may compete in the freestyle competition.
If you are racing you do not need to use the same drone for qualifying and racing but they must both be able to carry the HD Box.
The qualifying track will be in a building which is 50m x 30m.
There will be 1 level change and 6-8 turns. Gates will have a minimum size of 2x2m.
All drones used in the WDP Event - Qualifier, Practice and Race must comply with the Technical Requirements Document.
The term identical refers to the compliance with the technical requirements, but does not to extend to the props, body, and motor used. These may be changed through the Qualifier Day 1 and 2 and Practice and Practice Race sessions, but have to be locked on the first WDP Race day.
During the Qualifier, teams may use 2.4 Mhz frequency for RC.
Each pilot will get a chance to fly the qualifying track during the first 2 days March 7-8, then the final 32 teams will Practice on the 9th and 10th.
Except for during the first qualifier you have 5 min alloted to get your best lap time so if you crash you can retrieve your craft, fix it and fly only with in that allotted 5 min.
MANDATORY GEAR FOR QUALIFIERS
Qualifying gear is being provided to pilots by WDP.
1. a Go-Pro that will be the same size and weight as the HD box for the final race (has added dummy weight). You will only need to attach it to your drone.
2. a Radio Frequency Identification device. It will be attached to bottom of craft by sticky tape. It weighs 17grams, and it’s 36x40x9mm.
None of these have power requirements.
The following must be provided by the team for the qualifying
1. FPV gear
2. Control radio frequencies of 2.4GHz, 900MHz, or 433MHz
3. Goggles/screen
INDOOR QUALIFYING RACE TRACK
QUALIFICATION PASSED
Here's a team Vlog about all they had to do in qualification
FREESTYLE
Johnny Schaer
Chad Novak
Luke Bannister
Minchan Kim
RACE
REQUIREMENTS FOR RACE
During the Race, each team is allowed 2 identical aircrafts.
The Primary, and Backup aircraft.
Both must be identical electronically, mechanically, and have the same build structure. The only difference is the aircraft registration tag ( a sticker provided by WDP post technical inspection).
All backup aircrafts must be inspected and follow regulation.
During the Race, teams will be required to use 900 Mhz or 433 Mhz for RC.
In the cases that the teams do not have the necessary equipment for 900Mhz or 433Mhz, WDP will provide the equipment that shall be returned to WDP in order to be used by the following teams shall they need it.
The HD system must be placed flat on top of the drone and nothing can be placed on top of it.
Please be advised that all entered drones will be put through technical inspection prior to the Dubai Qualifier and must be accommodating to the HD
system. Only the drones that fit the requirements outlined in the Technical Requirements section of your Invitation Package will be allowed to participate. It is also important to note that only the drones identical to those flown in the Dubai Qualifier may be used in the Race.
MANDATORY GEAR FOR RACE
WDP will supply the team with:
1. HD Box, This system will only be used for the Race of 32 pilots. The box must be mounted flat on top of the drone with nothing above it. It cannot be on its side
or vertical. I can be tilted. The camera is adjustable from 0-45° and must not have any obstructions. It will operating at 2.4 GHz and will be the following specs:
<200 grams
10W power consumption
XT-60 connector(Female)
95X61X25mm
2.Team Black Sheep Unified Pro 5G8 VTX
http://team-blacksheep.com/products/prod:unify_pro
5v input
The following must be provided by the team for the qualifying
1. FPV gear (minus VTX)
2. Radio control frequencies for practice and Finals only 900MHz or 433MHz.
3. Goggles/screen
MAIN RACE TRACK
FAQ Technical Questions
Q: Can we fly around Dubai?
A: No. It is illegal. You could be arrested, imprisoned, and of course disqualified from the race.
Q: But we’ve seen footage of people flying up the Burj Khalifa?!
A: If you are not caught by police, and we catch you flying illegally, we will disqualify you immediately. Please don’t do it. It’s not worth it.
Q: What’s up with the Freestyle contest?
A: There is Indoor qualifying, You will be given equal amounts of time. You must have an HD camera like a go-pro 4 or session 4 and record in 1080p 60fps or one will be provided to you.
Those that make it past the Qualifiers, will compete during the finals.
There will be a section of time allotted for all the final freestyle competitors.
Q: I pre-Qualified as a pilot for the race, Can I enter the freestyle competition?
A: Unfortunately Not, only the people who signed up as a freestyle pilot online may compete in the freestyle competition.
Q: What type of gear is required for the freestyle Competition?
A: You are only required to have an HD camera that can record 1080p 60fps.
Q: How will freestyle be judged?
A: By judges and crowd based on the criteria listed in the original online application (no longer online) which is 1. Level of flight control, 2. Level of Entertainment, 3. Agility and Maneuverability, 4. Variety of Tricks performed, 5. Difficulty of Tricks performed.
Q: Do we have to use the same drone for racing and for freestyle?
A: No
Q: Do we have to use the same drone for Qualifiers and the Race?
A: No, but they must both be able to carry the HD Box.
Q: If I make it to the final 32, Do I have to use the same drone for each elimination round?
A: Yes. And you can have one exact replica to use only if approved by WORD.
Q: What will the indoor qualifying track be like?
A: The building is 50m x 30m, there will be 1 level change and 6-8 turns. Gates will have a minimum size of 2x2m.
Q: What type of gear is given to us for the Qualifiers?
A: We are providing 2 things, 1. A Go-Pro Box 2. RFID
1. We are providing a Go-Pro that will be the same size and weight as the HD box for the final race (has added dummy weight). You will only need to attach it somehow. (Velcro)
2. Radio Frequency Identification Devise. It will be attached to bottom of craft by sticky tape. It weighs 17grams, and it’s 36x40x9mm.
Q: What type of power will those require during the qualifier?
A. No power requirements from us on the indoor Race.
Q: What type of FPV camera is the WDP providing?
A. None. You must use your own FPV camera for the entire event.
Q: What type of VTX are you providing?
A. 1.For the qualifier, you provide your own.
2.For the Final race we will provide you with the Team Black Sheep Unified Pro 5G8
http://team-blacksheep.com/products/prod:unify_pro
your technician will have to install before final race. Your FPV camera can be powered from it.
Q: What Radio control frequencies can I use?
A: For Qualifiers, you can use 2.4GHz, 900MHz, or 433MHz.
B: For Practice and Finals only 900MHz or 433MHz.
********Please note we highly recommend installing the 900MHz and 433MHz system and
updating all firmware before coming.****************
Q: What gear are you providing for the Race of 32 pilots?
A: You will be given 2 things an “HD Box”, and VTX.
1. HD Box, This system will only be used for the Race of 32 pilots. The box must be mounted flat on top of the drone with nothing above it. It cannot be on its side
or vertical. I can be tilted. The camera is adjustable from 0-45° and must not have any obstructions. It will operating at 2.4 GHz and will be the following specs:
• <200 grams
• 10W power consumption
• XT-60 connector(Female)
• 95X61X25mm
2.For the Final race we will provide you with the Team Black Sheep Unified Pro 5G8
http://team-blacksheep.com/products/prod:unify_pro
your technician will have to install before final race. Your FPV camera can be powered from it.
Q: What will our navigator use to see the race?
A: You will provide your own goggles or video screen.
Q: How will you prevent pilots from losing signal when other people are powering up?
A: During qualifiers, you are given build time then not allowed to touch drones while others are flying.
During the Race of 32 You are not able to power down during the race so you must do a “hot swap” and plug into the WDP House power base station in order to change the battery. This House power will be located in each pit stop. The hot swap will be a harness which goes between the battery and the drone with an extra connector that will plug into house power to allow the drone to stay powered, after your team has qualified for the final race your technician will be provided a diagram and connectors necessary to build this harness.
Q: How much flying will we get to do?
A: Each pilot will get a chance to fly the qualifying track during the first 2 days March 7-
8, then the final 32 teams will Practice on the 9th and 10th, Race of 32 on March 11th, Final 16 on March 12th.
Q: Will we have a chance to fly the track after the competition?
A: Unfortunately no, we must begin taking it down right away.
Q: Can we use HV batteries?
A: As long as the batteries comply by the regulation of 4s 75c Discharge lipo.
Q: Will props be provided?
A: No
Q: Will batteries be provided?
A: No
Q: Will there be soldering stations?
A: Yes, there will be a few stations and plenty of power supply but it’s best to bring your own.
Q: What is the schedule?
A: The detailed schedule will be distributed when the pilots arrive at 9am on March 7th.
At SkyDive Dubai at the Marina. (They have a desert location so don’t go there by mistake)
Q: How do we get there?
A: How ever you like. Taxi’s and Uber are great but there are also busses and trains here.
Q: What should we wear?
A:Feel free to wear what you like, as long as it is not offensive you should be ok.
Q: In the event of a crash will we have another chance to go again?
A: No. Except for during the first qualifier you have 5 min. to get your best lap time so if you crash you can retrieve it and fix it and fly only with in that allotted 5 min.
Q: How many Batteries can I bring?
A: Most international airlines allow up to 20 Lipo Batteries that are under 100 MwH each. However, please check with your airline because not all airlines allow this i.e. Delta Airlines.
PRIZES
SCHEDULE
RACE DAY
Congratulations to the Winners!
See you again next year
![[-]](https://intofpv.com/images/collapse.png)
