Altair Aerial is a popular drone manufacturer. It has a solid range of racing drones that are suitable for beginners. Its drones don’t offer ultra-advanced options, but they do offer intuitive controls and a host of features that help you learn how to fly and race a drone at your own pace.
In this guide we have chosen five top Altair Aerial racing drones that will help you enter the world of drone piloting. These drones offer a great mix. Some have high-quality cameras which allow you to use the drones for photography and video. Others concentrate on racing and offer greater flight times and transmission ranges.
When choosing a drone, be sure to look at the battery life and flight transmission. These features will give you an idea of where you can use the drone, and if you should purchase spare batteries for extended flight times.
1. Altair Aerial Outlaw SE
Of all the Altair Aerial racing drones, the Outlaw SE is usually considered the best choice. This drone has an excellent set of features and is relatively easy to set up and fly. It benefits from GPS connectivity, which makes it easier to control and offers a smoother flight with less interruption.
For racing, the drone can hold one battery which has a maximum flight time of 15 minutes. This is perfect for small races or practicing. For extra usability, we advise purchasing a couple of spare batteries and keeping them charged, too.
It has a transmission distance of up to 600mm, which is more than enough. For safe control, the Outlaw SE has three different return-to-home functions so you can ensure you never lose the drone, even if the battery is running low. It also has a built-in 1080p HD camera that can provide live video. For racing, the motors are powerful and the blades can easily be replaced.
2. Altair Aerial 818 Hornet
For beginners and those just leaning drone controls, the Altair Aerial 818 Hornet is one of the best Altair Aerial racing drones. It is a compact drone that is also lightweight and easy to carry. Also, the standard box comes with two batteries, which provide up to 15 minutes of flight time each.
If you have never used a drone before, you can benefit from the special altitude hold feature that keeps the drone at a specific altitude. This allows you to concentrate on learning the controls and getting used to how the drone flies.
The simple remote control has three different skill settings to change the sensitivity and responsiveness. As you progress and become more confident, you can increase the skill level and start racing your drone with greater control and finesse.
For racing, the Altair Aerial 818 Hornet is capable of FPV flight with a compatible FPV headset or your smartphone or tablet. To use the FPV feature effectively, it is advised that you purchase an SD Card which is sold separately. Get the full rundown in our Altair Aerial 818 Hornet review.
3. Altair Aerial AA108
The Altair Aerial AA108 is a great, mid-range racing drone that offers greater functionality and controls than the 818 Hornet. It is equipped with a 720p HD camera that provides a 120-degree field of view and is FPV compatible. This is perfect for racing, but you must purchase an additional SD card, too.
As one of the top Altair Aerial racing drones, the AA08 has several useful features to improve flight control. Firstly, it has a one-touch takeoff and landing function. Secondly, it has an altitude hold feature so you can concentrate on learning how to turn and maneuver the drone.
The flight time is less, but still decent at 100m, and it has a flight time of up to 10 minutes. To improve the longevity of this drone, it is advisable to keep several batteries with you, so you can swap them over in between flight sessions.
The frame has a stylish and sleek design and the four blades are protected by two sturdy barriers. This helps reduce the likelihood of crashing and breaking the blades or motors. Read more about the design of this racing drone in our review of the Altair Aerial AA108.
4. Altair Aerial AA300
The Altair Aerial AA300 is a great, dual-purpose drone that can be used for both racing and photography. It is equipped with a 1080p FPV camera and has a host of useful features to improve flight control and usability. For an improved flight experience, the drone uses GPS connectivity.
There are several flight features, like a one-touch landing and takeoff, and an altitude hold feature. For photography and videos, the AA300 has a function that allows you to automatically fly the drone back to a point of interest.
In terms of transmission, this drone has a flight time of up to 15 minutes and a transmission distance of 150m. While this is not the largest, it should still suffice for racing. This combination of decent flight time and flight control features makes this a solid drone for beginners.
5. Altair Aerial Blackhawk (Budget Winner)
Our budget option is the Altair Aerial Blackhawk. This is one of the best Altair Aerial racing drones, due to its longer flight distance and battery life. It has a maximum transmission distance of 500m and a battery life of up to 17 minutes.
Although this racing drone doesn’t come with a camera as standard, it has an action camera mount. This is compatible with popular action cameras like GoPro cameras. As a result, you can get some excellent-quality flight footage.
The Blackhawk has a stylish build and its four motors and blades are protected by external guards. The blades, although durable, can also easily be replaced and the standard kit comes with a set of spare blades. The brushless motors also mean a quieter flight and less wear and tear.
The body and blade arms are made from metal, which means this drone is more durable than other Altair Aerial models.
Learn Racing Basics with Altair Aerial Racing Drones
Any one of these Altair Aerial racing drones provides an excellent starting point. Moreover, as most of these models have the altitude hold feature, you can comfortably fly them and learn how to control your drone, and become accustomed to the responsiveness of the remote control.
