If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to pilot a drone or program one, FCHS’s Drone Club offers students the chance to learn about these technologies while exploring new skills. Club members meet for 30 minutes a few times a month, and those who take and pass the CoDrone EDU Pilot quiz can fly drones. There’s also an opportunity to work on coding projects for autonomous flight.

“The students who have passed the quiz can get the chance to fly, while others can focus on coding,” said teacher and Drone Club sponsor Terry Schnitter. This approach allows students to learn from each other while engaging in the world of drones.

The club is preparing for competitions as well. In December, they plan to participate in a qualifying competition, hoping to send three teams to Regionals in West Virginia if they perform well. Each team will take on four missions: Piloting, Autonomous Flight, Teamwork, and Communication. Collaboration is crucial during these competitions, as it not only enhances the team performance, but also teaches members valuable life skills.

Currently there is a limit of 20 students in the club, and about a dozen students attend regularly. The after-school meetings focus on helping those who want to improve their skills further in preparation for the competition.

Club President Delaney Feury said her goals for the year are “for a wider range of team members to participate in the club and a more active role in the community in terms of drone demonstrations and fundraising opportunities.”

Freshman Nathan Fenlon is one member who finds value in the club. “It is very fun and it has gotten me more interested in coding than ever before,” he said.

“We welcome all who are interested in flying drones,” Schnitter said. “Pilots must pass the quiz, but we also need members who can code and communicate well.”

For more information regarding the club, email Feury at [email protected] or Schnitter at [email protected].