DCL Big Drone: The Groundbreaking Manned Aerobatic Drone

Initial testing has completed on the first manned aerobatic drone, a historic maiden flight milestone that took place in Vrsar. Drone Champions AG, the founder of DCL, is one step closer to its vision to create a brand-new future racing experience and to recruit drone pilots through DCL - The Game.
Start your training for this future facet of flying on DCL - The Game!

[@jeremiahfrancisco3034]

Should show this to my wife as proof that riding a motorcyle isnt THAT dangerous..

[@Spinfast]

Hahah, well - rethink that. So far, there is hardly other drones in the Sky you can crash into.

[@redpiper1]

I like your way of thinking. I might investigate this myself.

[@ChaosBW]

There's nothing to hit in the sky where you are legally allowed to fly. The most biggest risk is pilot error. Motorcycles are still more dangerous, sorry. Also it's not the motorcycle that's dangerous, the thing that kills you is a girl on her cellphone driving her husband's SUV.

[@BoSSLeVeLs]

Meme Machine As a disabled biker I can guarantee it was the road that messed me up not the bike 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

[@PHXKOPRITI]

Awesome!! Needs a roll cage tho. 👍

[@Darksilverfpv]

Already shaped like a coffin so thats handy. :)

[@herbertweirather]

Just remove the arms:)

[@SlNlST3R]

No, the arms are required for six men to lift, carry, and lower the coffin in the hole in the ground

[@freezatron]

Cowards need not apply, only for the brave among us ! I'd fly it :)

[@Zoza15]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@RCOverKill]

@@freezatron me and you, would love to try to rip a real one. I want to see a punch out, seems to catch itself pretty good.

[@WISEMARTIAL]

These guys are conquering the future! Good luck folks!

[@DstruX]

Nuts. This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while.

[@veganautfpv1237]

Music is so loud, It's hard to hear the commentary!

[@ClannerA01]

Was trying to listen for the specs. Did they say anything? Motors? Power supply? Flight computer? I think they mentioned the battery but i couldn't make it out.

[@freezatron]

@Rogue Mentality... don't be so negative, every designer relies on the knowledge of those that came before them, this is how development works, this is how ideas evolve and become more refined in order to become a commercially viable product. Hats off to them I say :)

[@ClannerA01]

Video is up at flite test 24 batteries with what looks like XT90 plugs. Maybe higher, i don't know if there are bigger XT's. Looked like 7S batteries, paired up in series so they'd be 14S. And they're just strapped inside a bucket stowed in the back. Yeah, it's a hobby build alright. XD I still don't know what computer they're using as a flight controller tho.

[@veganautfpv1237]

@@ClannerA01 there are XT120 connectors out there.

[@ClannerA01]

@@veganautfpv1237 Probably that. XT90's are kinda high for our hobby builds, but something like this is well beyond that. Jeez, all those batteries and it only has the flight time of a racer. The amount of power going through those connections... Rather than plugs, I was half expecting these things to have the batteries bolted together =P

[@FliteTest]

LETS GOO!!!! WHAT an experience and what a great group of people!! ;) Crushin it! Love it!

[@herbertweirather]

Everybody needs to check out the FliteTest video coming soon, it is even better! Was awesome to have you in Europe guys!

[@Eagle0watch7dv]

I thought the point of having a drone is so you can fly without putting yourself in danger lmao. We're going backwards.

[@luiscremonini3635]

What a bunch of stupid idiots wasting time and money in senseless entertainment

[@1717amoon]

😍☺️☺️☺️

[@kellypainter7625]

"Manned drone"? That is the very definition of what a drone isn't.

[@desaufruhrsdumpfesgaren6115]

Came here just to say that. Thanks, i'm out.

[@Garandmasthumb]

depends if the mans driving.

[@Clint3571]

I agree. We need a new name for these things. Multi-copter?

[@unikorn9117]

@clint skyblade

[@PrototypeThinker]

As a name of this kind of machines "manned drones" I'd go with just ev-copter from electric vehicles or ez- copter as easy to fly. Multi- copter suggest that many people can fly, so rather no until it's gonna happen. We can also go back in the 50' the first one and only VTOL Bensen B-10 "Propcopter" .

[@hOZish7]

It's not a manned aerobatic multirotor until you have someone man it while doing aerobatics...

[@freezatron]

Don't be a pedant, they are still in the testing phase :)

[@PeterLunk]

It's a protoype for a ... etc... Duhhhh.

[@hOZish7]

@@freezatron You sure it's not click bait though? They are calling it a historic moment but all that happened was a guy flew in a multirotor, it's been done before. Aerobatics with a person in it would be a whole other level! I would have felt less cheated if they called it 'the worlds largest aerobatic multirotor'.

[@freezatron]

Ok but I think you need to put yourself in their shoes for a moment, if that was a project I had been working on I would feel pretty elated too & might be forgiven for some hyperbole :) Bear in mind it's the first multi rotor capable of carrying a man to do aerobatics, it's their first video demonstrating their first test flights and you can see the exciting potential for this beast that lays ahead and represents a remarkable step forward in man carrying multi rotors. Of all the ones I've seen thus far it is easily the coolest machine by some margin. Also as a test pilot you would have to be very foolish to jump straight in to it and start doing back flips when your life is on the line, typically most test programs require about 500 hours of flying before you can start pushing the limits in a new aircraft, especially if you intend to sell them :) I say be patient and positive for them, it's only going to get better :) I doubt they've even had 1 whole hour of flying it yet, it's going to take them a while to build up confidence in their machine to the point where they will climb in and starting flying it like they stole it !! :D The alternative of course is to put a team together and have a go at designing, building and flying your own, which I would encourage you to do, not only would it give you a greater insight to the challenges of such a project but it could be really rewarding :) If you happen to live near me I'd be happy to join your team as I know how to build things, aircraft included plus I am a reasonably good pilot, helicopters, fixed wing and aerobatics both full size and RC, I a;so taught myself to fly paragliders too :)

[@PeterLunk]

@@hOZish7 I never saw any multirotor capable of lifting a person doing flips and corkscrews ;) That's a good first to me :)

[@ZanderSwart]

the name of this sport will change in the future. having a huge drone with a pilot inside it makes it a regular aircraft. 4 rotors = Quadcopter, 12 rotors = DOZOCOPTOR!!! Dozocoptor Champions League! I guess the name doesnt have to change that much...

[@haentz]

Can you please give this thing to Quadmovr? 😁 Well done guys!

[@t0tobi]

yeah put someone in there and give itto quadmovr ;)

[@StenniZ77]

@@t0tobi The poor soul. XD

[@MrRammsteinfan09]

That would probably kill the person inside...

[@Sully365]

YES

[@allistairneil8968]

Totally mind blowing that it has got this far. And this must be the first time a game becomes reality. EPIC!!!

[@벡터나인]

This is EXACTLY what i've been dreaming since i was a child. Thanks for making my dream reality.

[@Spinfast]

Congratulations DCL! We´ve seen this incredible drone at the very beginning and what finally made it´s way into the air can`t compare. Well done guys!

[@alarmclock7709]

That moment when you realize this is faster than a helicopter little slower than a plane and hovers

[@vladimirkrpan8922]

I'm so pleased that test flights are done in Croatia! Make me wanna move back 😎

[@EGAN815MX]

That is absolutely mental!! Hats off the the people behind the tech and build 👍 well done 🤙🤙👌😁

[@marcusapperley6456]

0:58 Did that dude actually just call this a quad...? Awesome build regardless. The sort of thing we dreamed of only a couple of years ago.

[@tgregi]

quad, drone, multirotor... does it matter? everybody know what he means....

[@MSaleh-vy8rr]

@@tgregi Not all drone is a multi-rotor machine. A drone is a umanned autonomous ariel craft. No human control. It could be like a plane, helicopter, anything even on land and sea.

[@tgregi]

@@MSaleh-vy8rr yeah i understand the official difference. but. how many people nowdays know what multirotor is and how many know what drone is? Most people when you say drone imagine quad..... words are not fixed with meaning, sometimes they shift by time. that is lenguage:)

[@Leonsimages]

This thing has a Tatooine vibe to it hahaha

[@sarcasm-83]

Yeah after reading a huge thread arguing about what "drone" means, I guess we should just call it a Pod. NOW THIS IS PODRACING. (Inb4 some nerd comes along like "But a pod is an elongated seed vessel of a leguminous plant")

[@jbalatutube]

Great job guys, I would really love it if you get Thomas or Chad to take it through it's paces once its had a few hundred hours of flight testing !!!

[@kmanyan345]

1000 ways to die just updated its title for 2020... “1001 ways to die”

[@Nordlicht05]

Iam asking me why dies this still works with Hobby elektronics

[@raymondgoubet]

Not 1001, but 1002: Coronavirus.

[@WIDGET738]

raymondgoubet, there are NO confirmed cases according to honorable Chinese gov’t. 🤣😂

[@raymondgoubet]

@@WIDGET738 Aha LOL. Just take an old crazy Kamikaze shouting "Banzai!". I trust no governments...

[@electrified9297]

Coolest thing I've seen this year so far

[@rwdesigner]

"Manned drone racing" - it's not a drone, though... if a person is in it and flying it... it's not a drone lol

[@rwdesigner]

Bixler said it "Manned multi rotor"

[@moren0d1]

If it’s remotely piloted....it’s a drone. If it’s piloted by a human onboard it’s a multi rotor.

[@roamswif]

Starting Good,,,

[@dbsonlinesales4816]

@Rogue Mentality It may be a Multi rotor, but it identifies as a Drone LOL!!

[@JaraFPV]

Manned Made Multirotor Drone

[@Jumany2]

F♤.king sad that no one from croatian news didn't spoke a word for this.. great job guys and regards from sad sh♤tty Zagreb!!!! 🤗🤗🤗

[@O.L.D_RC]

You guys ROCK!!!! I work at ZF, the next time I am in Germany I am looking you up! Great to see Flite Test in the hangar and on the tarmac with you. Let's take this to the next level, I am totally on board!

[@wheresfuninthat]

ZF as in ZF that makes gearboxes etc?

[@O.L.D_RC]

@@wheresfuninthat I helped build and start a new facility in SC, USA. It is over a decade old now.

[@Moto.Disiac]

a new way for smuggling xD , nice concept , must be a lot of challenges to make it to this point , can't wait to see people racing in one of those , good job team ^^

Will the crash gate stay for the manned version of drone racing? :-)

[@herbertweirather]

Of course!

[@Girlwatchingtheworld]

I can see this becoming a whole new sport....awesome!

[@erikt81a]

This decade's gonna be awesome!

[@d-culture927]

Now _this_ is podracing!

[@jimmcnally2524]

It is amazing the innovations coming from the hobby. I would love to see a Red Bull manned-multirotor race. Imagine being chased by a cop in one of these.

[@kawigreen3702]

One of the best quad pilots in North America , Matt Nowakowsk is in this video so I'm watching . Good job guys !! I'm looking forward to what the future brings .and great idea getting Flite test involved . Matt , josh and Alex are pioneers to this great hobby/ sport

[@AngeloSamuelFPV]

Wow a big dream come true! I hope one time to sit in a drone like this! Good job guys ❤️🙌

[@andrewcavallo1877]

You should call it the MAD-Hornet MAD stands for Manned Aerobatic Drone

[@cypvh74]

Andrew Cavallo I was thinking “Vomit Copter of Doom” or “Doom Copter” for short.

[@andrewcavallo1877]

Cypress Van Horn I do like Doom Copter haha

[@sarcasm-83]

I vote for Hexa-Coffin

[@thenatureguy4803]

You very humourous 🤔

[@nythawkfpv]

its not a drone tho

[@SteFly]

Would love to fly with that multicopter from my house to the airfield :D

[@herbertweirather]

Me too, I would say this is the Ferrari of Taxi Drones;)

[@highlikejordan1818]

Seeing this is seeing one of my earliest dreams come true. This will change the future. Great job 🤝🏆

[@nefastulo]

Congratulations on such incredible achievement! I would’ve loved to see the GoProMax footage.

[@magicalpencil]

I'd love it if there was a Tiny Whoop flight controller in the middle of all that 😅

[@DutchCommando]

just a Naze32..

[@samurphy]

I was thinking it would probably fly better. It seems super sketchy in its tune and ability to maintain attitude.

[@monkeypox9683]

Lol

[@designz3660]

1970: In 2020 there will be flying cars. 2020: Well, yes. (kind of.)

[@simpletongeek]

It needs to have flight control in the cockpit, unless it's a push button operation thing. Push button, go to work. Push button, go home.

[@Phelan666]

We also have cyberpunk dystopia and streets on fire.

[@InventorInvestor]

Finally. Been waiting for someone to do it.

[@TinyWhoop]

Bravo DCL!!! My hat is off to you guys!

[@KyleLi]

Christ, imagine crashes. If you thought actual racing was dangerous... Dang. I want in. Lol

[@DutchRC]

VERY cool! What kind of controls are you planning to put in it? (helicopter setup?) if you're looking for someone that isn't afraid to actually be the pilot IN it.. I'd fly it :)

[@peterzingler6221]

I guess a normal stick control wouldn't work also helicopter would be difficult mhm. Maybe just a radio like pilots from the games are used too

[@DutchRC]

​@@peterzingler6221 hard to imagine what would and wouldn't work well :) Keep in mind the G-forces will now also pull on your hands / body.. almost impossible to keep your hands in place.. :)

[@masoninnovation]

I'm down too. Let's race already!!!!!! We'll figure out the safety thing along the way.

[@MrSmartstots]

Excellent engineering, well done to all.

[@YOUTUBE.COM.EZEQUIELRF32CNC]

Very cool Friends congratulaitions.

[@chefantz6389]

Why am i not driving this to work yet its been 3 years get it to the production line already..

[@DavidCook42]

Holy shit that's freekin awesome

[@gypsymanjeff2184]

Just the thought has me ..let alone .watching. CANT WAIT..A MUST HAVE..PLEASE SOON

[@andrewlopez532]

I would love to drive one that's freaking awesome you guys just made one of my dreams come to now I just have to fly one!!!!!

[@johhny303]

any sensible person would think this is some sort of PR stunt, with their game being released the day after this video lol

[@freezatron]

yeah so what ? what do you expect them to do, sit quietly and do nothing to promote their product ??

[@GTXgb-gt8lz]

Does pr stand for positive recognition?

[@freezatron]

usually it mean Public Relations but given the low caliber of some of the comments to this video it could easily mean Plebeian Reply ;) :D

[@captainalant]

At First I thought you were scared to get in it and fly. Even Peter Sripol built one and got in it. But at the end you did. a little.

[@asadabdulqaabir4006]

Now, that guy really have balls. He dares to fly on things he made in his garage with his bare hands. Not big sponsored shit like these clowns.

[@MrTitobo]

Ich habe nur darauf gewartet! Es ist jetzt die Zeit! Ein neues Zeitalter ist angebrochen. Gut gemacht und Respekt.

[@user-xg1gm4in5l]

how many minutes does it fly with full charge battry ????

[@artysanmobile]

Serious? Manned drone? We’ve called that an aircraft for over a century. Duh.

[@Maxippouce]

Someone else remote control the aircraft

[@msarte5661]

That’s pretty cool when is this coming out in the market? I’m pretty sure FAA going nuts on this and regulations.

[@heeder777]

Mike Apila No worries, it’s already regulated. It’s called and experimental aircraft.

[@JDOGFPV]

This thing is insane! A lot of trust in the flyer...

[@SugarFPV]

Wow this is insane!!!! 🔥🔥 Super awesome

[@MidnightMaker]

Love this! Not sure you should say “groundbreaking” when referring to your flying project...🤣

[@billden4901]

"groundbreaking" in this context could have a double meaning, As when it falls out of the sky due to an ESC or Battery blow out it would Break the Ground on impact! I would hope that if an one prop failed, the software can compensate to level and land the craft. As for racing in competition...well that would be scary...i can see many collisions.

[@SailingSarah]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[@BrigzyFPV]

Hehehe Earth Shatteringly good.

[@Sergiuss555]

@@billden4901 ah, here is the guy to explain jokes that everyone easily understands

[@billden4901]

Everyone would be... "Generalizing". If everyone used this basic formula to understand reality, this world would be a better place. "What you think you know?" compered to "What you actually know?" compared to "What you should know?". That would be truly ground breaking for most people! And of course many would think they "Know Better!".

[@Leonsimages]

Such a ridiculous idea. Such an amazing project. Can't wait to see what they're going to do with this. It's still a shame they made the music way too loud so it's hard to understand what they're saying......

[@rcbif101]

Did it have full human weight ballast for the flight?

[@bikutama]

The stability that makes Ｉ want to ride. It's a very advanced technology. 乗りたいと思える安定性 すごい進化です

[@bikkevliegenfpv5867]

Maybe add a plexiglass cockpit to protect the pilot :p.

[@williwonti]

be like a raw egg in a tupperware. Still gonna smash from any real height

[@wodiexbb]

They need some kind of crash pod, like they use in hydroplane racing.

[@matthewbrothers2823]

Ejecto seato cuzz! Lol.

[@Mycatsname]

Manned multi rotorcraft. MMR. Or even the MMaR, instead of car “Hey dude, where’s my mmar” lol

[@idfpv6510]

🔥🔥🔥!!!This is awesome!!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@nicogaming6814]

What brand and type of motors did they use on that drone, I have been using T-Motor U15xxl. Thanks for your attention, good day

[@ezikiel121212]

Needs more dubstep

[@tngtacticalmiata1219]

Would have been way cooler if the "man" in it was actually flying it.

[@toddspeck9415]

So amazing DCL This is the future!

[@VerbFPV]

So much yes! Cant wait to play the game!

[@rklauco]

Let's see what Alex Vanover can do with this :)

[@amalgamxfpv8348]

Meh. Let's see MinChan Kim in it.

[@hulpe]

@@amalgamxfpv8348 +1 for minchan :)

[@williwonti]

@@amalgamxfpv8348 Who?

[@amalgamxfpv8348]

@@williwonti MCK, the young pilot that kicks Vanover's ass left and right. Vanover has nothing on MCK, and he knows it.

[@WIDGET738]

*This is hilariously idiotic... but I wanna see more!* 🤣😂

[@reedanthony106]

A Racing Drone You Can Ride In Is SICK! 💖💖💖💖👍🏆

[@keithdouglass3618]

still early days . like the plane. will get more adventurous. who cares what you call it .fly it . good work . Keith Australia

[@ChrisCorbettFPV]

*LOUD MUSIC* *indistinct mumbling* Me: what? WHAT?

[@keithbrown2458]

Congratulations on your record breaking flight

[@RCINFORMER]

Sooooooo.... is this a human occupant/passenger in a drone piloted by someone on the ground OR is this a full scale multi rotor craft piloted by the pilot INSIDE the craft?

[@Javier79ism]

€1000000 I would like it to fly from Netherlands to Aruba in 1hour. Looks awesome but to expensive... So far it's the best one I've watched on KZbin, Great concept

[@frankmcgregor5355]

This is really amazing work guys.

[@BRadFPV]

MIND BLOWN!!! CONGRATS GUYS 🔥🔥🔥

[@DroneChampionsLeague]

🤯🚀

[@LearningWithTitus]

@@DroneChampionsLeague not Impressive at all....how much money was invested in this ? Complete waste...

[@davidsapir3764]

So cool. The drone's body bears an uncanny resemblance to a Feisar from the Wipeout games. And that's a very very good thing.

[@polomarknot17]

This is absolutely crazy. I want to do it.

[@galphadavenport5454]

This is Great ! The future of racing.

[@mayamachine]

So flipping loud, nothing could bear it without hearing protection. Real fun

[@MJPilote]

Awesome, truly awesome! One thing that wonders me is the boom loading, what kind of structural analysis have you done for the motor booms and their loading? And what kind of safety margin do they have on full G loading. What is the max +-G loading of the aircraft?

[@jaystone766]

Another KZbin engineer...sheeeez

[@xisleprez]

AWESOME. Congratulations !

[@abvmoose87]

Those last seconds will make for a great gif

[@SkyCandyVisuals]

Thank you guys for pushing the boundaries! I purchased the game for xbox but was disappointed that I can't use my qx7 taranis controller with the usb cable. According to @dronechampionshipsleague I will need to either extend the sticks or switch to pc system which allows connection of the taranis controller for a more realistic feel... guess I'm buying the game all over again😫

[@TheFilmCouple_]

'Groundbreaking' is a brave word when describing MANNED drones 😆

[@cazafpv8312]

how commands will work inside the cockpit? 2 sticks like a rc one?

[@richardike2342]

This will be the new game of the future.

[@VATMC]

Is it really safe for onself to train on the video game and then switch to the manned "drone" ? I have not played the game myself, but from what I see in this video, in the game, one would control the drone in a third person view in order to see potential obstacles all around the drone. If I were in one of this drone I would be terrified to lower my altitude and crash in another drone except if somehow there is a 360°-all-around-"rear"-view mirror ? Also how is it a good idea to base the body of the drone on a fomula 1 race car as the aerodynamics constraints are so different (some part on a formula1 race car are actually there to keep the car ON the road and not having it flying off) ? Also some compagnies have already optimised the aeorodynamics for manned hovering-capables flying "drone", those are called helicopters...

[@AdamBuckley1964]

One word. INCREDIBLE

[@avronaut]

Was ballast on board during the test flights according to the weight of a pilot?

[@TONYPARAMOTOR]

excellent workmanship to all.please make dreams of flight come true.... thumbs up. ;0). dreams can come true....

[@mattgaming8717]

And they said gaming was a waste if time. Do your thing. Cant wait to see the real racing start.

[@vishnoor]

Mind blowing. The Swag and the music match

[@moren0d1]

Wow! Pushing the limits.

[@dekayzFPV]

respekt jungs! sehr sehr geil!!!

[@AlexTheStampede]

I like where this is going, a future with WipEout is a good future.

[@Critical_Stinking]

Best PS1 game, hands down.

[@albertschrocker9995]

Is it possible to get some additional info? F.e. which electrical motors are used and who is the manufacturer?

[@jb5music]

I don't really need to do loop the loops though if I'm flying from my water-locked castle back to the store on the mainland.