Droning in the RGV

by Eryn Reddell Wingert

Photos courtesy of Chico Garvis

Three times a week, the skies over Bentsen Grove Resort in Mission are taken over–somewhat–by drones. 

In 2015, Chico Garvis and two other men organized a drone enthusiast group. In its first year, they used small, inexpensive drones, but a Black Friday sale the following year really upped their droning game. 

The DJI Mini 3 drone went on sale at Walmart. “That caught our eyes, and we went over and did the Black Friday thing,” says Garvis. 

Coincidentally, Bentsen Grove has a building dubbed the Hanger. “It even has a propeller on top,” says Garvis. It’s home to loads of activities, such as table tennis, poker, stained glass, and woodburning. 

Two afternoons and one evening a week, it’s where drone operators from the Resort meet up, flying drones until the batteries run out.  

Garvis got into droning as something different to do, but he’s always had a love of planes. “I used to build RC planes but didn’t fly them; you crash them, you cry a lot,” he says with a chuckle.

He and his wife, Jackie, are Converted Texans via Illinois. The couple spent 11 years as full-time RVers before settling in at Bentsen Grove. Garvis says he took a lot of pictures during their travels. Now he’s taking his photography to the next level…literally. 

“Oh my gosh, I’ve got so many photos!” Capturing beautiful sunsets and scenery–crediting the ease of using the drones. And the typical reaction from people when he shares drone images: “Oh, wow!”

Garvis explains that you don’t need an operator’s license for the mini drones, boosting their popularity. And once the drone operator has established a home point, if the batteries get low or contact is lost, it automatically returns.

This makes it easier for novices to take part. “We let them fly our equipment,” Garvis says, “because we know it’s not going to run off and disappear or get caught in the wind.” But they also use more inexpensive drones indoors for practice. Garvis has even sent up hoops to hone skills.

Garvis says the hobby is what you make of it. Less expensive options sometimes don’t come with instructions and can be easily lost in the wind. Contrarily, while the DJIs are more costly, they are easy to fly and fun to use. And he recommends keeping an eye out and taking advantage of special deals and sales.