A Chinese student has designed a drone capable of reaching speeds exceeding 340 kilometers per hour, earning a Guinness World Record for the fastest remote-controlled microdrone quadcopter.
Xu Yang, a student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, was officially recognized by Guinness World Records on March 23 for his achievement. His custom-built drone, named Prowess, weighs approximately 247 grams, lighter than a typical smartphone, and features an ultra-light carbon fiber frame, a 0.4 mm-thick shell, and high-speed propellers.
Xu has been passionate about aeromodeling for over a decade, with three years of hands-on experience designing both quadcopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The development of Prowess took around three months and involved the use of 3D printing technology, according to Guinness.
Previously, Xu had built a model that reached 244 kph, though it was not officially recognized. The prior record for the microdrone category stood at 219 kph, set in 2022.
“Based on the test data, I thought the official challenge speed would be around 320 kph, but I did not expect it to reach 340 kph in the end, and even reached 358 kph with a tailwind,” Xu told Guinness World Records.
His interest in aviation modeling began in elementary school, inspired by seeing hobbyists flying model planes at a local park. “I started playing with model airplanes in the fourth or fifth grade of elementary school. I met people playing with model airplanes in the park, and I became interested in it. From then on, I couldn’t stop,” Xu told Chinese news site QQ.
Now 22 years old, Xu focuses on micro quadcopters, a niche category in the model aircraft community known for its extreme demands on lightweight design and power efficiency.
His inspiration for the record-breaking drone came from Quadmovr, a content creator known for designing high-performance RC aircraft. Xu first surpassed the 219 kph milestone with a 244 kph prototype in October, then continued refining his design after consulting with drone builders overseas, according to the South China Morning Post.
To qualify for the microdrone record, the drone must weigh no more than 250 grams. Xu optimized Prowess for weight, power output, and aerodynamics. The carbon fiber frame weighs just 22 grams, and the 3D-printed shell, only 0.4 mm thick, is engineered to remain stable at high speeds.
The drone’s propellers were also created using photopolymer 3D printing and underwent five design iterations to improve angle, diameter, and shape. To further reduce drag, the drone’s body is smoothed, and small gaps are filled with ultra-light clay. Prior to flights, Xu heats the battery to 40 degrees Celsius to improve discharge capacity and achieve maximum power.
Swiss engineer Samuele Gobbi, who holds a Guinness World Record in a similar category for a larger drone, praised Xu’s achievement. “Building a high-speed quadcopter is already very complex, and he has added a weight limit of less than 250 grams to it, which makes me admire his achievement,” Gobbi told Guinness World Records.
Xu expressed his willingness to support others in the field. He remains committed to further refining Prowess and sharing his knowledge.
“Most of China’s top RC creators are on Bilibili.com, and I’ve learned so much through exchanging ideas with them. Among speed challengers, it’s not about competition—it’s about collaboration and mutual support,” he told Global Times.
“Experience is everything in our field. If anyone attempts to break this record in the future, I’ll gladly share everything I know to help.”
Xu also shares his drone-building projects with a growing audience on his Bilibili channel, where he has become a respected figure among remote-control aviation enthusiasts.
