Taking wing
Courtesy photo Christopher Hartman, 15, of Rathdrum, will be competing in the MultiGP National Drone Race in Reno, Nev.
A Rathdrum teen has received an invitation to compete in the MultiGP National Drone Race in Reno, Nev., Sept. 13 to 17.
Christopher Hartman, 15, will join two pilots from Boise and three from Seattle to represent a five-state region comprising Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming at the national event.
Hartman competed against hundreds of pilots from throughout the region in a series of events, to first quality for the regional championship in July in Kennewick, Wash., and then for the upcoming national championship.
“I didn’t think that I had a chance.” said Hartman, who maintains a 4.0 GPA and is a senior swimmer for both Lakeland High School and the Coeur d’Alene Area Swim Team. He flies his drones whenever he’s not at school or swim practice.
“I was racing against guys that have been racing internationally and are really fast,” Hartman said.
He set a goal to be in the top 10 and then just tried to keep his flying smooth and consistent.
Drone racing has grown from a backyard hobby to a sport recognized around the world. The MultiGP national league has a history of more than 6,000 race events in only two years.
Hartman is a member of the Spokane FPV (First Person View) drone club. The club can be found online at www.facebook.com/MultiGPspokane.
For more information, visit www.MultiGP.com.