AV News: Preparing for Drone Nationals

“We're at the Propsman Warehouse in Freemont, California. This is kinda our home course that we have set up where we come fly, bring friends out and have a good time on the weekends.” About 15 pilots were at the warehouse talking shop, trying out new gear, and racing around the track. Pilot Colby Curtola told us having the warehouse is great, but there are other, bigger advantages to flying there. “The biggest advantage is having people to fly with every weekend, you can’t undervalue always having people there to push each other to fly faster. We’ve got some really skilled pilots here so we are always getting better always improving.” This year’s Drone Nationals is a big deal. Pilots aren’t only taking the title and prize money, but their flying will place them in front of a massive, international audience for the first time, thanks to the livestream on ESPN 3. “All the energy that’s gone into the sport and the passion, I think it’s great that networks like ESPN are recognizing that.” Kenneth Loo is one of the top ranked pilots in the world. Practicing on the weekends is great, but for him the work never stops. “I’m practicing as much as I can, I’m waking up early before work. If I can’t do that I get off work early and I come here. I’ll set up a couple gates and just run drills through them over and over and over, practicing different racing techniques. It’s gonna be really fun, the best pilots in the country gathered in one spot, all going head to head, I’m going to have to practice a lot to keep up.” Follow AirVuz News for the latest in the drone community.