San Diego, CA—August 2, 2013—On the Fly: Technology Takes Off debuts at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, today, August 2, 2013. Explore aerodynamics and flight technology, with multiple daily performances by small-scale unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), complemented by interactive stations where visitors can create flying objects of their own and then test them out using wind tubes or a motorized airplane launcher. A digital media kiosk highlights current events involving unmanned flight technology and its uses.

In conjunction with the exhibit, Exploring Ethics presents “Drones and Other UAVs: Benefits and Risks” on Wednesday, August 7, 5:30–7PM. In an ongoing partnership with the Center for Ethics in Science and Technology, the Fleet welcomes guests to encounter science from an ethical viewpoint; brings together community leaders of various backgrounds to examine current scientific issues from diverse perspectives; and invites the public to explore with them how science can best serve society.

A guest panel of experts in the field will examine UAV technology and the myriad uses it is being applied to across the world. New technologies can raise challenging ethical dilemmas, and drones and other UAVs are no exception. These aircraft may be autonomously operated by onboard computers or directed remotely by a human operator. UAVs are used for many purposes, ranging from crop dusting farmland to public safety and military operations. Join our UAV experts as we explore this technology’s benefits, perceived concerns, real risks and public safety. How might UAVs be used in the future? We will explore the myriad applications for this innovative technology, their uses and ensuing repercussions.

Our guest panel will include Lucien Miller, CEO of Innov8tive Designs; Keith McLellan, CEO of ROV Systems LLC; and Commander (Ret.) Bob Osborne, who served 38 years with the LA County Sheriff’s Department; moderated by Larry Hinman, USD Professor of Philosophy. Special thanks to Monica England of AUVSI (Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, San Diego Lindbergh chapter), for lending us her expertise and helping arrange for our UAV experts. Please contact Susan Chicoine at schicoine@rhfleet.org to arrange an interview with these knowledgeable and fascinating experts in a new and challenging field!

Exploring Ethics: Drones and Other UAVs: Benefits and Risks will take place on Wednesday, August 7, 5:30–7PM, in the William & Grayson Boehm Community Forum at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Free; please join us by registering here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/7507586393.

On the Fly: Technology Takes Off at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center from August 2 through the end of December 2013. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is located at 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101. Gallery admission, which includes access to all eight exhibit galleries: Adults $13, Seniors $12, Children $11. The Fleet’s summer hours are 10AM–6PM daily. For more information, call (619) 238-1233 or visit our website at http://www.rhfleet.org/exhibitions/fly.

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We have great videos available on our media dropbox for production footage:

the Parrot b-roll shot in France used behind the demonstration itself, and UAVS in the Field and the Laboratory, courtesy of Calit2’s Qualcomm Institute at University of California, San Diego.

Available for Download for Members of the Media:

Press Releases and Photo Captions:  http://www.rhfleet.org/press-room

High-Resolution Photographs of all Exhibits and Giant Dome Theater Shows: http://www.rhfleet.org/press-room/images

B-roll of Giant Dome Theater Shows & production footage of exhibits and galleries on the Fleet Media DropBox: http://www.dropbox.com; Click on sign in; email  reubenfleet@gmail.com;

password pr1973media; "RHF Public Relations" folder.

Lucien Miller is CEO of Innov8tive Designs in Vista, CA, which distributes electric power systems for use in radio- controlled model aircraft, helicopters and small UAVs.  Innov8tive Designs also manufactures and distributes multi-rotor UAVs for commercial and recreational use.  Lucien is also the COO of ROV Systems, which is focused on developing a variety of commercial UAVs for operation in the National Airspace System.  Lucien holds a multi-engine commercial pilot’s license, with 30 years of flying experience, and is the host of All Things That Fly, a weekly podcast program for the radio-controlled modeling community.

Keith McLellan is the CEO of ROV Systems LLC, headquartered in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.  ROV Systems is focused exclusively on the innovative development of a variety of unmanned platforms for purely commercial use.  Keith is a 35 year aviation industry veteran, holding an  airline transport pilot license with 15,000 hours of total flight time, including 18 years as a business jet captain flying all over the world.  He has a great deal of experience working with the FAA on maintenance, operations and certification issues, and this experience is reflected in his approach to UAV design and certification.

Commander (Ret.) Bob Osborne served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for 38 years prior to his retirement and transition to reserve deputy status in October 2012.  Osborne began working on the acquisition and use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in 2008.  He is currently a member of the Department of Homeland Security Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety Steering Committee developing and implementing UAS testing and evaluation protocols to assist public safety agencies that may be interested in comparing and evaluating performance capabilities of various UAS prior to pursing acquisition.  Commander Osborne has been a speaker and presenter at various events and conferences, including the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International annual conference and the Unmanned Systems Interoperability Conference.