11 reasons FPV drone racing in schools is the future of CTE

This guest post about incorporating FPV drone racing in schools was written by Scott Buell, founder and CEO of Drone Legends. Drone Legends is a hands-on drone curriculum designed for K-12 schools.

First-person view (FPV) drone racing is taking off in schools across the country. Educators are discovering that this high-energy, skill-intensive activity engages students in a hands-on, competitive way that supports Career and Technical Education (CTE) outcomes.

While robotics and esports have become classroom staples, FPV drone racing offers something different. It invites students into the world of precision piloting, engineering literacy, and real-world career connections. Through safe, indoor races with micro drones and online simulator competitions, schools are turning drone racing into a meaningful, forward-looking academic experience.

If your school is looking to implement a program that’s exciting, standards-aligned, and built to grow with students, here are 11 reasons FPV drone racing deserves a place in your CTE playbook.

1. FPV racing captures students’ attention like nothing else

Students love drones. The thrill of piloting a drone through an obstacle course or battling classmates in a simulator makes FPV racing one of the most engaging ways to get students involved.

Programs like Drone Legends’ FPV Initiator draw in students who might not be part of traditional sports or academic clubs. The FPV Initiator course is a 12-lesson program designed for students in grades 8-12. Early modules teach kids how to fly along with the ins and outs of gear. As kids progress through the course, they learn high-level skills like actually repairing drones.

Once they’re flying, many stay after school, help their teams troubleshoot issues, and even practice at home using simulators.

This level of motivation creates a strong foundation for building technical and professional skills over time.

2. It builds teamwork and real-world communication skills

FPV drone racing is inherently collaborative. When done in a classroom environment, such as the Drone Legends curriculum, students take on different roles like pilot, coach, spotter, course designer or drone technician. They rotate through positions, support one another and strategize as a unit.

This mirrors how professionals work in high-performing technical environments. Students must communicate clearly, solve problems in real time and build trust in each other’s decisions.

3. Students learn through doing

Drone racing involves applied engineering, mechanics, and problem-solving.

In the Drone Legends FPV Initiator program, students use an app called Betaflight Configurator to configure their drone’s flight settings. They understand how tuning affects stability and maneuverability. When drones crash, students repair them, replace propellers, and test again.

This kind of practical exposure helps students absorb complex technical concepts through hands-on activity, not just lectures.

4. It connects directly to real careers

FPV drones are used in media, public safety, inspection, agriculture and more. Skills developed in the classroom —such as configuring flight software, analyzing performance, and safely operating drones — translate into real-world job readiness.

Sure, it’s a fun e-sport that keeps kids engaged, but schools can also position drone racing as part of pathways into aerospace, robotics, IT, or unmanned aviation fields. Students get to explore industries they may not have considered before through learning to fly and compete.

5. FPV racing helps students develop confidence and resilience

Learning to pilot an FPV drone takes time. Students crash. They get frustrated. Then they get better.

Drone Legends’ curriculum includes activities like “Mind Over Motors,” which teaches students how to manage nerves and stay focused during competition. Over time, students build emotional regulation, persistence and a growth mindset. These are vital soft skills that benefit them far beyond drone racing.

6. Turnkey programs like Drone Legends require no experience

One of the biggest reasons schools hesitate to start drone racing is that it sounds complex. That’s why Drone Legends created FPV Initiator — a ready-to-launch package built specifically for schools and educators.

Here’s a look at what you get within the FPV Initiator package:

It includes classroom-safe micro drones, goggles, controllers, spare parts, a simulator platform, physical racing gear, student and teacher handbooks, and access to training.

Even teachers with zero drone experience can begin coaching teams within a few weeks.

7. The program includes built-in professional development

But if you’re a teacher with zero drone experience currently, that won’t be the case for long. FPV Initiator includes monthly professional development sessions held online and unlimited customer support for teachers. It’s all designed to help educators feel confident running the program and never have to troubleshoot alone.

Instructors also gain access to a community of teachers who share ideas, lesson extensions, and racing tips. This helps programs succeed long-term and builds excitement year after year.

8. Students compete in a national scholastic league

Thanks to the Unified Scholastic Drone Racing Association (USDRA)™, students can race in a structured school-to-school league.

Through the Orqa FPV.SkyDive simulator, teams race virtually in tournaments with schools across the country. No travel is required to get started, and in-person events are optional. This hybrid model makes competition more accessible for all schools, no matter their size or location.

9. It fits seamlessly into CTE pathways

Drone racing aligns with Career Ready Practices and the Common Career Technical Core (CCTC). Students practice decision-making, teamwork and tech literacy, which are all common goals for CTE programs.

It also supports CTE pathways in engineering, information technology and aerospace. In Texas, for example, drones are officially part of the state’s Engineering Program of Study, with “aerial drone competition” listed as a learning experience.

10. It sets students up for FAA certification

The logical next step after drone racing is earning a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, which enables students to fly drones commercially.

While most Part 107 courses are designed for individual adult learners, Drone Legends will launch a classroom-ready prep course in Fall 2025. This school-based curriculum is designed specifically for teachers to deliver in class.

It transforms what is usually an asynchronous, self-study process into a structured academic experience. High school students can leave school FAA-certified and job-ready.

11. FPV racing in schools prepares students for all sorts of jobs

Not all students will pursue drone careers. That’s okay. The deeper value lies in the technical fluency and confidence they gain.

Students who learn how to configure Betaflight, update firmware and troubleshoot drone issues are learning how to master unfamiliar tech. They’re developing the ability to adapt, investigate and learn through iteration.

Whether they go into robotics, IT, filmmaking, or emergency response, they’ve had a chance to discover what it feels like to be an innovator — and that experience stays with them.

FPV drone racing in schools: the takeoff point for career education

FPV drone racing is more than just a fun extracurricular activity. It’s a robust educational opportunity that strengthens CTE pathways, builds essential skills and opens doors to the industries of tomorrow.

Drone Legends’ FPV Initiator is the ideal solution for any school ready to embrace that future. It’s built for teachers, engages students immediately, and makes competition accessible and exciting.

Now is the time to bring drone racing into your school. With the right tools, support and curriculum in place, students can soar.

-By Scott Buell, founder and CEO of Drone Legends

If you’d like to submit a guest post, contact The Drone Girl here.

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