PSD Performance Drone Team | Drones@psd401.net | www.psd401.net/drone-shows |
Welcome to this month’s update from the Peninsula School District Performance Drone Team! Our student pilots continue to push the boundaries of creativity, engineering, and teamwork as they design, program, and perform with precision drones. From honing flight maneuvers to collaborating on synchronized routines, the team exemplifies innovation in action.
This month, we’re highlighting recent achievements, upcoming events, and ways our students are learning leadership and STEM skills that extend far beyond the flight field.
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An essay by Chase Nichols (Drone Intern) |
On the trip to Auburn Hills, Michigan with Peninsula School District (PSD) Performance Drone Team, I learned many things about how to operate these drones. I learned how to fly them, the process for flying them, and the process to troubleshoot any issues that may come up. It was on this trip that I also understood that the pilot position was one of importance, communication, and leadership.
At the beginning, when I was first told I was to go to Michigan to learn how to fly these drones, I was taken aback, but nonetheless I was excited for the opportunity. To be able to go on a trip to the manufacturers of the drones we’ll be flying was truly a privilege I am extremely grateful for. It was instrumental as well, to be able to understand our roles as pilots who are in charge of crew and crowd safety, show set-up, and communication with the field crew.
The first time we got out to that field, it was amazing to see the reality of it all in front of me, to see these drones set out for us to fly. This was when I started learning about the flight process, setup, and how to troubleshoot issues. We dealt with issues that were both planned by our mentors and caused by our own errors, and even though they were frustrating at times, they ended up helping us understand the drones on a deeper level and learn how to problem-solve while flying.
When we started setting up and flying the drones, that was when it really hit me, the gravity of our position. All positions play a role, but the pilot especially has to talk constantly with the field crew and explain what needs to be done. It also requires leadership, since the pilot is one of the main people making sure the setup is done correctly, the show keeps moving, and the crew stays safe. That experience led to one of my biggest realizations that we are the ones who have to keep our crew and the audience safe, and it made the importance of our job really clear to me.
I was excited to learn these new concepts, but also gain experience in the field, to truly understand my role within the team, as I’m sure Colby, the other student on the team felt. I would like to thank those who helped us on that trip, as well as our advisers Mel Benner, Jonna Waage, and Kelly Wilson. They were extremely helpful, professional, and helped me create an experience that would stick with me for a long time.
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PSD team learning about the assembly process and seeing our drones being built by the Firefly Drone Systems Team. |
Learning how to set up our Ground Control Station and navigate the pilot application. |
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A Lesson in Resilience flew on November 7, 2025 |
Iwo Jima tribute made from 200 drones flying over Gig Harbor. |
Team setting up & troubleshooting drone connection for the show. |
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On November 7, the Peninsula School District Performance Drone Team lit up the sky over Harbor Ridge Middle School with a standalone Veterans Day tribute. With the Gig Harbor waterfront providing a perfect vantage point, a few hundred community members gathered to honor service and sacrifice and to witness a first-of-its-kind aerial art show over or town harbor.
Across nine minutes, 200 drones painted a patriotic story in light: a stirring replica of the Iwo Jima flag raising, a giant American flag, an aircraft carrier launching the Blue Angels, a B‑17 bomber, a space shuttle, and a soaring American bald eagle, concluding with the message, “Thank you for your service.” While the show wasn’t synced to a soundtrack, an adhoc group of local youth led the crowd in the National Anthem and other patriotic songs, amplifying the emotion of the moment.
Behind the scenes, the team faced a real test. During the pre-show “Corners” systems check, a connection bug caused show download issues and an aborted test flight. Under time pressure to make a 6:30 p.m. launch, the crew, guided by Mel Benner & Jonna Waage, the Student Intern pilot in training made the tough call to perform a full system reset and reload the entire program rather than risk a compromised flight. The choice meant a one-hour delay and some spectators heading home, but it paid off: the team delivered its first perfect 200-of-200 drone performance of the season, a powerful lesson for students in professionalism, safety, and doing things the right way to honor our veterans.
This show was made possible by the Peninsula School District, which owns the Drone Team, and by our show sponsors: Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Morris Investment Management Partners, Hutchins Home Group, HomeWatch CareGivers, BBQ2U, and American Family Insurance. Special thanks to Team Leader and Pilot Jonna Waage; student intern co-pilot Chase Nichols; field manager Matthew Cooper; visual observers Colby Piquet, Wyatt Hoggatt, Walker Faulk, and Zachary Schley; and Social Media Support Nicole Paquette & Mason Hasslinger and Tech Coordinator Mel Benner for coordinating logistics.
One community member summed up the night best: they “couldn’t believe such an amazing program could happen right here in our little Gig Harbor community,” and were deeply grateful for the innovation and heart behind the tribute.
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My name is Colby, and I’m a Pilot in Training & crewmember on our performance drone team. I support our tech operations—setting up equipment, maintaining gear, and keeping the crew show‑ready. I’m drawn to hands-on, team environments and serve in a leadership‑focused technical role that’s helped me build strong communication and problem‑solving skills.
I’m currently studying for my FAA Part 107 certification so I can take on more responsibilities during shows. I’ve been personally studying FPV systems in addition to learning our professional drone‑show platforms, and I’ve traveled out of state with the team for training and live events.
Aviation and the engineering behind flight inspire me. I attend PHS as a Junior and the PSD Aviation Academy with hopes to deepen my skills and experience in the flight industry. I have a long‑term goal of contributing to the next wave of drone innovation.
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My name is Chase, and I’m a pilot on our performance drone team. I focus on precision flying and mission prep—running checklists, coordinating with the flight lead, and helping ensure safe, smooth shows. I thrive in fast-paced, team environments where clear communication and attention to detail matter.
I attend Gig Harbor High School (GHHS) as a junior. I joined the team in 2025 and was selected for specialized out-of-state training to master our show platforms. I’m currently working toward my FAA Part 107 certification; in the meantime, I’m authorized to fly as a co‑pilot and continue building hours and experience. Outside of flying, I stay active with sports, and I’m always looking forward to the next show.
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While we don’t have any shows on the calendar right now, the Performance Drone Team is ready to take flight at your event! We’re seeking opportunities to perform and welcome inquiries from organizations, community events, and potential sponsors. All shows are weather dependent, and we work closely with hosts to ensure every performance is safe, precise, and unforgettable. If you’d like to bring the excitement of a drone show to your audience, let’s make it happen! |
The Peninsula School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. If you have questions or complaints regarding alleged discrimination, please call the Peninsula School District Educational Service Center at (253) 530-1000 or visit our office located at 14015 62nd Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, and ask for one of the following coordinators: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, compliance@psd401.net; Title IX Compliance Coordinator, titleix@psd401.net; 504 Compliance Coordinator, 504@psd401.net; ADA Compliance Coordinator, ada@psd401.net. |
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