Tony Ellis had only been piloting drones for about a year, but he was already making waves in the RC drift scene. Combining the thrill of drone flight with the art of drifting, Tony found a unique way to capture dynamic footage that elevated the spectator experience. His weapon of choice? The GEPRC TinyGo 4K—a small but capable analog drone with crisp recording quality and plug-and-play simplicity that made it perfect for getting started.

What started as a curiosity quickly turned into an obsession. Tony upgraded nearly every part of his original setup—new antennas, better props, and eventually, a new drone altogether: the Meteor75 Pro HD. Not for speed, but for the ability to project his drone’s live feed onto a TV or projector, making for an immersive experience during local drift events.

Learning to fly wasn’t just about throttle control—it was also about understanding the complex communication between transmitters, receivers, and video systems. YouTube tutorials, especially from creators like Joshua Bardwell, helped him navigate this steep learning curve. Tony drew parallels to RC drifting—just like dialing in ESC settings, getting drones to “talk” to each other required precision and patience.

Though he hadn’t chased full-scale drift cars yet, Tony had plans. He admired pilots like Justin Smash, who followed Formula Drift cars with custom-built 5” drones capable of battling wind and getting inches from the action. For now, though, Tony was focused on refining his skills, logging over 150 hours in Velocidrone, a simulator that helped him hone low-altitude flight with incredible control.

“Two hobbies built on flow, finesse, and control—meant to be enjoyed together.” - Tony Ellis

What really set his footage apart was the intention behind every shot. He didn’t just hover—he chased, flowed, and interacted with the cars like a virtual chase cam from a racing video game. His edits, often stitched together in CapCut, turned raw footage into mini-movies. With each session at DARC, he gathered enough footage for multiple videos, always looking for that perfect blend of pilot skill and driver performance.

Tony sees a future where drones play a major role in RC drifting—especially at big events. Not just for highlight reels, but to build hype, share recaps, and even grow the community. He believes drone piloting will become its own subculture within the drift world. Already, pilots and drifters are crossing over, curious
about each other’s craft.

Follow Tony on youtube and instagram:
blind.robotfpv