This drone racer is heightening the youth’s interest in technology

Speeding 200 kilometres per hour should be illegal, especially for a teenager. But Jadon Churchman is a pro. When the 15-year-old flies his drone, it’s with confidence and deft skill. The light-weight machinery is designed to accelerate through obstacle courses as Churchman navigates the route with a pair of video-linked goggles. First-person view drone racing is taking off across the world, and Churchman is the champion with the controls. 

Churchman began drone racing at the age of 12 after learning to operate the gadget by watching YouTube videos. For the high school student, flying is an adrenaline rush – and a creative challenge. “To be a great drone racer you need to be able to build your own drones,” Churchman says. By studying online resources, he upskilled himself to assemble his quadcopters. “This sport has taught me a lot of technical knowledge about electronics and strengths of materials,” Churchman says. 

The teenager is now one of the country’s top-ranking FPV racers and competes at an international level. Last year, Churchman participated at the FAI World Drone Racing Championships in China. Despite being a junior competitor, he placed 48th overall out of 128 contestants. Churchman thrives on the speed, but it’s the support he’s found that he values most. “What is really special for me is the community around it,” he says. Drone racing is picking up momentum, fast. And with a promising interest in technology, so is Churchman’s future. 

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