Drone pilots square off at TU drone competition
Drone pilots waged a battle at the University of Tulsa on Saturday.
Pilots from high school and college were challenged to fly a package from one bulls eye to another at the second annual Green Country Unmanned Aircraft System Competition.
Judging was based on things like speed, accuracy and whether or not they hit the bull's eye.
Competitors like Zach Smith and his students from Metro Technology Center in Oklahoma City came from around the state.
"They get the opportunity to learn quite a bit from the competition," said Smith.
Pilots fly by sight, by screen, and by first person goggles.
They come for the $2,000 first place prize. But, for them, it's not all fun and games. They're also here to learn about the future.
Jason Arant is here today with his students from the Oklahoma School of Innovation and Experiential Learning in Bixby.
He said jobs in the drone industry are popping up all the time.
"Whether it's in real estate to FBI missing persons, to land surveying," said Arant.
David Lacy with Airtopo knows all about that.
"We're a licensed survey company here in Tulsa," said Lacy.
They make their money using drones, and he said the jobs are out there.
"It's never ending," said Lacy. "More and more careers are incorporating. What I tell people is that drones are another tool for whatever industry or profession you're in."
But for today, these guys just want to win.
The semi-finals and finals are scheduled for Sunday.
