This past weekend was the Sloss Drone Derby at Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, AL. FPV drone pilots from all over the country came in to fly this behemoth of a bando! It's not technically a bando, it is actually a national landmark. They still have some metal working classes and such, but primarily it's used for local events, concerts, etc.
As you can see, this is a spot for the big boys, lol. I was actually quite intimidated and didn't fly the main flight line because I would have probably destroyed my drone, lol. Maybe next year. But really, many of these pilots are sponsored and such, so they are pretty awesome, and well, I am not, lol.
But I will say, that it is one of the most supportive communities I have ever been involved with. They just want you to fly, no matter how good you are or not. There were parents with kids bonding over drones, old friends getting together, and people just getting to know each other. It's really a great scene to be in.
After my first drone event at Castle Crash last September in South Carolina, I have found my way into the FPV drone DJ crew, lol. If you know me, you know I gravitate to the music side of things. Once fun fact is though that I used to be apart of different event groups in town and have actually set up this place about 15 times for different concerts and electronic music events. I actually was apart of throwing one fo the first raves in this location back in 2001, yes kids, I am old apparently, lol...
The main Castle Crash DJ, Zbones, who is an old strip club DJ out of South Carolina, brought his setup for the event's main flight line. He brought me up to the booth which had an awesome view of the main flight line, so we got to watch some crazy shit, lol.
The first day was just a free flight day while FlyTribe Magazine and my buddy FlyhighFPV hosted the freestyle competition on Sunday. But there were a ton of pilots waiting to fly so, I just walked around and had a good time hanging out. I did fly on the race track that was in the back field where they had the pro racers running, doing their competition. They also had open flight on Saturday and the competition was on Sunday. I went and qualified for a free drone, although I didn't win. But I was only 1 of 16 that qualified by flying the track 3 laps without crashing. I just took it slow and steady, lol, but I made it! I'll post a video when I get the footage all together.
But with any event, there is no lack of drama. One of the people hired to put on the Tiny Whoop House in the main hanger pretty much failed completely. So guess who stepped in to save it! I figured out that he was a lazy POS that just made excuses and wanted to bitch and micro manage when we started doing his job. Earlier in the day, I had met the event coordinator for Sloss, so I went and found her to make sure we could get some house lights on in the hanger to get setup.
FlyHigh saved the day by bringing in some LED lights from his store inventory, and some of the community threw in to help get things set up. They had hired a DJ already, so at least there were tunes set up. And after talking with the lady putting on the event and the location event coordinator, looks like I may just be in charge of it next year, lol. But hey, we made it work, and the micro pilots got to do their thing in the hanger while me and my girl danced to some great tunes, mixed poorly, lol. Hey I have been DJing since the late 90's, so yeah, I judge. But what I will say is they were NOT using the sync button and at least trying to mix on their own, lol, they just need more practice, lol. It was still a good time.
As that was going on though my girl and I walked around, they had the whole place lit up and it was absolutely beautiful...
The next day was when I got to do my freestyle flying. They opened up a second flight line while the FlyTribe Competition was going on in the main area. But, if you ask me, this is was the better spot! There was some awesome metal art and stuff to fly around that was made my people that work at the furnaces and students taking the classes and such there.
The skeleton made for some orbit fun...
And this thing... This was just a why??? LOL, it's the ultimate chastity outfit, lol...
But anyway, this area was awesome to fly and I was able to get all my pack in. I'll post the clips video soon once I get the footage all together and edited.
All in all, it was a great weekend hanging out with old friends, and making new ones! If you have ever thought about getting into drones, DO IT! And more importantly, get involved with a group of pilots that can help you get going!
I am excited for next year! I did get to meet the board of directors for Sloss, which felt like a power introduction, lol. But he was really liking the event and what we were doing. So it was a hit and we will be back next year! I have also wormed my way in with the event folks and looking to do some stuff in the future! I told them I am basically retired, so use me as an asset! So Sloss Furnaces, we'll be back!
Until next time...
Be cool, be real, and always abide with the skies!
