Iola native competes in drone racing

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News

May 19, 2017 - 12:00 AM

Iola native Michael Wilson has taken to a new technology — unmanned aircraft (drone) operations — like a duck to water.
Wilson, who is studying unmanned aircraft systems at Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus, recently competed in the first-ever collegiate drone racing championships.
He was the only Kansan invited to the inaugural Collegiate Drone Racing National Championship in April at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.
He joined nearly 50 other UAS pilots from schools across the country, battling it out on a complex obstacle course.
After building their respective aircrafts with mounted cameras, pilots flew around the course using a “first person” view as they completed as many laps as possible in 2 minutes.
A Georgia Tech student wound up winning first place, complete with $15,000 worth of equipment and other prizes.
While Wilson did not bring home the trophy, he was recognized for his work in assisting other UAS participants. (Students can act as flight instructors once they attain a certain rating.)
“Michael holds an extensive amount of knowledge in unmanned aircraft systems and is one of my top students,” said Christopher Senn, one of his KSU professors. “Every chance he gets, he is outside flying his aircraft, and as a flight instructor, he has successfully taught a number of other students how to proficiently operate multirotor unmanned aircraft in a safe manner.”
Wilson is “hands-down one of the best UAS flight instructors at Kansas State Polytechnic,” Senn said.
After graduation next year, Wilson plans to work either as a UAS test pilot for various industries or as a UAS pilot performing inspections.

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