It’s almost 9:30pm when my computer buzzes. Bernard Ramault, captain of team Slunse, is late. I press the green button to accept his Skype call, expecting a one-on one chat about the Belgium team’s experience and DroneClash strategy. What I got was even more fun!

Ta da! The inches of my laptop screen are bursting with a fluctuating number of smiling faces –  flushed from two hours of flying practice. What ensues is a jovial chat about the fun of FPV flying and the exciting challenge of preparing for DroneClash, punctuated by occasional wise-cracks coming from off-screen. “FPV is not a crime!” chips in one of the voices, “We like to do crazy sh**!” enthuses another

Modelling the Team Slunse hoodies

These boys from Bruges, proudly dressed in their custom-made Team Slunse hoodies are CarbonV Van Der Elst, Free Zillion, Jarno, Mario, Dimmy and Bernard (aka “opa”). By day they are plumbers, community workers, mechanics, construction workers and electricians. By night they fly – three two-hour sessions per week. When I express my surprise at the heavy time commitment, they are dismissive. For team Slunse, flying drones is summed up in one word: fun!

For team Slunse it’s about the fun of flying

Warning! Opponents should not be led into a false security. This team boasts some heavy hitting FPV pilots among its ranks. CarbonV Van Der Elst (AKA Victor Vanderelst)  was the 2018 Belgian f3u champion and Free Zillion is a top freestyle pilot. Team Slunse should not be taken lightly.

CarbonV Van der Elst: laid back or lethal?

So, besides some top-flight piloting, what can we expect from team Slunse in the DroneClash Arena? Bernard’s answer was not one that I had been expecting: recycled drones! Apparently the team, which has been flying for the last three years has crashed a fair number of drones in their time. Each drone is salvaged for its useful components and thus, the team will be creating the 20 or so drones they plan to bring to DroneClash from their substantial stash of spare parts.

I can’t wait to see these eco-warriors in action. Will you join me? Book your tickets for DroneClash on 16th March now!

Flyin’ Amber

Flyin’ Amber is the pseudonym of DroneClash’s event manager – our very own Amber Marijs. With a degree in aeronautics and a career that has involved rollercoasters and scaffolding, Flyin’ Amber has always been excited by things that fly and things that are, mmmm, high. Just like drones.

Over the last five years, Flyin’ Amber has become something of a drone expert thanks to the infectious enthusiasm of her drone-designing and flying friends at TU Delft’s MAVLab. In 2018, Amber was able to put her enthusiasm into practice by helping organise the first ever DroneClash. This year she is dedicated not only to making DroneClash 2019 bigger and better but also spreading the news of counter-drone developments through these blog posts.  Come back for more!