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Another pilot, who has been flying for six years, explained that the thrill of beating others and the adrenaline rush of high-speed racing keeps him hooked. Many of these pilots prefer to build their own drones, customizing parts to optimize performance and repairability.

The Cost of Fast: Expensive Investments and Repairs

Serious racing pilots typically spend upwards of S$10,000 on equipment—covering buying, repairing, and upgrading multiple drones. Accidents are frequent, with crashes often destroying expensive components, which means repair skills are crucial. One pilot admitted that when competing in Korea, he brought five drones but only returned with one intact. Fires and crashes are commonplace, and repair centers are rare, making self-repair a critical skill.