First international outdoor drone racing qualifier held in Alberta
Alberta's first outdoor drive racing event was held on Sunday.
Twelve pilots from Strathcona County raced south of Cooking Lake, Alta., at the Ministik School Grounds to earn a spot for the upcoming championships being held in Florida.
The competition was hosted by MultiGP, an international drone racing league.
Drones at the MultiGp Global Qualifier can fly more than 150 km/h and require steady hand-eye coordination by the pilots to fly through multiple hoops.
Cody Hollis-Perdue, the race director for the event, said the size of the aircraft doesn't lessen the thrill of a race.
"It's kind of like flying a fighter jet that can go in dimensions that shouldn't be possible," said Hollis-Perdue. "Everything comes at you super fast. You can move in any direction and it's just so much fun."
Racers are equipped with a controller and a special set of goggles to get a first-person view of the drone while racing.An image of what the drone pilot sees while piloting a drone during the qualifying event on Aug. 4, 2024. (Adel Ahmed/CTV News Edmonton)Multiple drones race at the same time.
Each pilot submits their fastest three consecutive laps to see how they performed against the others.
"It's psychologically different because you have to ignore basically everyone that's in the race with you and just full send on your line and get the best time you can," he added.
Hollis-Perdue is currently ranked 51st at the time of this publication, according to the MultiGP 2024 Global Qualifiers leaderboard. The qualifiers are underway until Sept. 2.
The top 150 race times earn pilots a ticket to race at the MultiGP Drone Racing Championships in Florida on Oct. 22.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Woman who died in B.C. jail cell had asked to be taken to hospital twice, report shows
A woman who died from drug toxicity while in a B.C. jail cell asked to be taken to hospital twice in the hours after she was taken into custody in a case the province's police watchdog says again raises concerns over the treatment of intoxicated prisoners.
Why is this village in Quebec facing a 370 per cent property tax hike?
Residents in the small Quebec village of Danford Lake may soon be priced out of their homes, as property valuations and taxes are set to skyrocket.
James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, 'The Lion King' and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
Romeo Dallaire now recovered from severe infection: CTV News Exclusive
Romeo Dallaire is ready to return to public life again this fall after a serious health scare forced the retired lieutenant-general to postpone his cross-country book tour in March.
Calgary's police chief speaks out against Alberta's anticipated photo radar crackdown
Calgary’s police chief has issued a grave warning about the potential impact of further restrictions on photo radar use in Alberta.
'You can't miss Luke Skywalker': Mark Hamill spotted filming in Manitoba town
Star Wars icon Mark Hamill rode through the streets of Stonewall, Man. last month filming scenes atop what looked to be an Army vehicle for the upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King's "The Long Walk."
White Stripes sue Donald Trump over use of 'Seven Nation Army' riff in social media post
The White Stripes sued former U.S. president Donald Trump on Monday in a case that alleges he used their hit song 'Seven Nation Army' without permission in a video posted to social media.
Alberta protesters get 6 1/2-year sentences for roles in Coutts border blockade
One of two men sentenced Monday to 6 1/2 years for firearms violations and mischief at the border blockade at Coutts, Alta., says the time he has already spent behind bars has changed him and his "solemn weapon” is now love.
Gaudreau brothers are mourned by the hockey community, family and friends as 'linemates forever'
She eulogized John Gaudreau through tears that would not be held back, her stories punctuated by sniffles, even an occasional laugh about falling in love with a young man with a mohawk, and the immeasurable heartbreak over a life that ended “way too soon.” Meredith Gaudreau had more to share about her husband than tales of his modest start on ice and rise to NHL stardom — their family of four was soon to become five; she recently revealed to John he would be a father again.