Who’s Who in 2022, Business: Darren Stone

Three months after opening his first permanent Drone-Games arena in Lawnton, business was going so well for owner Darren Stone that he began to offer training courses to help aspiring pilots obtain their remote pilot licences in 2022.

With more and more people buying drones – a flying robot that is controlled remotely – Darren felt the time was right to expand his business and teach people the correct ways to fly a drone in confined spaces, as well as out in large, open spaces.

About Darren Stone

Darren Stone is a former aircraft engineer and the current owner of Drone-Games – a unique business based in Lawnton where flying enthusiasts can fly drones through an array of obstacle courses.

Darren launched his business, which he believed to be the first of its kind in the world, in 2021.

Originally, Drone-Games was a mobile business, with Darren taking his drones to local community events as well as schools, libraries and other venues.

Seeing how popular his business was with children and adults, Darren became determined to find a more permanent location.

In late 2021, Darren opened the doors to his first permanent drone-flying arena at Paisley Drive in Lawnton, which became a popular place for people to go and test their skills at the remote-controlled flying robots.

The Lawnton arena features two netted areas where people can fly their drones through tyres, tunnels, have them weave around air gates, knock down cans and even play drone bowling, where instead of rolling a bowling bowl to hit the pins, you try and knock them down with the drone.

In March 2022, three months after opening in Lawnton, Darren once again spoke with Moreton Daily to share his desires to open more drone arenas across Australia.

Darren hopes one day to expand into cities like Sydney and Perth.

He also announced a new partnership with UAV Training Australia to help aspiring pilots obtain a remote pilot licence.

Through the partnership, Darren set up a corporate training room to teach the correct and safe way to operate/pilot a drone in small, confined spaces.

Darren told Moreton Daily “I found there was a need to offer this service because drones are extremely popular – you see a lot of people getting them as presents”.

“You often see kids and adults using them in the park and they are flying around everywhere, then they might crash them or lose them, and then they go back in the cupboard.

“That’s where we come in – we provide a fun and challenging space and keep you interested in playing with your drone and potentially curating an interest to go the next steps, learn more and potentially gain a license.”

Darren was also a familiar face in Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Back a Local campaign in 2022, which encouraged people to eat, drink, shop, play and spend at local businesses to help them get back on their feet following multiple lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.