Looking for Boy Scout Racers/Pilots

Tom Gerencer · Mar 15, 2018

Hi all,

I'm a journalist, writing an article on Boy Scouts who race drones. I'm hoping I can find some through this forum. Do you know any scouts who compete? If not, any ideas how I could find some? Any help appreciated!

-Tom

Wayno52 · Mar 16, 2018

What the? That just don’t sound right.

Tom Gerencer · Mar 16, 2018

I’m looking to interview Boy Scouts who race drones for an article for Boys’ Life magazine.

Wayno52 · Mar 16, 2018

Hahaha now all I can think about is the movie Flying High.
Dude sounds creepy.

Tom Gerencer · Mar 16, 2018

I'm an ASJA accredited journalist who has published 1000+ articles online and in print magazines:

Best Way to Help West Virginia Flood Victims - Money Nation

Project Manager Resume: Sample & Complete Guide [+20 Examples]

These 5 Women Are Saving the Animals of Southern West Virginia

How This Man Built a Business with Reddit in 3 Days and Quit His Job - Money Nation

I'm working with four Scout troops who are organizing a drone race. I got a drone manufacturer to donate 10 drones for the training/event. I talked to a local drone race event organizer who said the event will probably be amateurish. He said drone racing is hard, and 90 scouts who've never flown before holding a race might be fun, but it won't be all that impressive. He suggested I try to find some scouts who already race drones to include in the article. That's why I joined this forum.

Again, I'd appreciate help.

Wayno52 · Mar 16, 2018

And a marine to boot. Good luck

Tom Gerencer · Mar 16, 2018

Thanks for the luck Wayno52. I'm not a marine though. I think you probably found a post from Halopedia. A friend of mine wrote one of the Halo novelizations and put me in the book as a character. When you google my name, that's one of the first things that shows up.

Can anyone help with BSA members who are drone pilots?

Wayno52 · Mar 16, 2018

Not this little brown dog.

Futuramille · Mar 17, 2018

when i was a scout, all we could afford was control line planks. Unless dad is supplementing, there isn't going to be many boyscouts with time for a job that supports quad "racing" at any competitive level.
I'm not sure what 10 quads you got but unless you have several true adult pilots there as well, good at training, patience etc. when you add scouts withought experince its going to be havoc, the word "dangerous" comes to mind.

You are more likely to find some scouts that just fly for fun. I'd rename the event scope as a "fun fly" and keep looking. best of luck and if you do an article, please share it!.
JJ

Tom Gerencer · Mar 17, 2018

Thanks JJ! That's great advice.

FYI I'm not looking for more scouts to be involved in the event. I'm looking to feature a scout or two who races drones in a separate part of the article. Do you really think there's not one scout who races drones in the entire country?

Futuramille · Mar 17, 2018

well, let's hope you find some. that would be cool.

Futuramille · Mar 17, 2018

imho BSA stands for baby sitters of America and money simply to teach them how to start a fire is hard to come by, let alone 1000$ fpv racing equipment and experience doing it.
there may be someone though.. maybe get on FB - BSA and ask there as well.
,it would be cool to pull off such an experience for the kids. experiencing flying FPV could be life changing for a young man who hasn't seen it.
in my experience there was always some class or training or something prior to an event in scouts. some instruction ahead of time will improve your event and everyone's experience overall. keep nagging the local drone racing chapter to help. (pro pilots)
one of those guys probably owns the local hobby shop.... eg dimigod at this.

Tom Gerencer · Mar 18, 2018

Thank you Futuramille. FYI I'm not organizing the event. The scoutmasters who are do plan to have several training sessions with the boys first. Again, I'm not looking for help with the event, but trying to find a boy scout or two who already race drones for a separate part of the article. If anyone reading this knows of one, please post here.

-Tom