San Diego, CA—October 3, 2013.   Everyone who joins us for UAV Day at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center can enter to win a Parrot AR.Drone2.0, the one-of-a kind quadcopter developed by French company and featured in our new exhibition, On the Fly: Technology Takes Off.  Meet our multi-rotor experts in the galleries all day Sunday, October 6, from 10AM-4PM—learn all about this new and ever-diversifying field of technology, and take home your own quadcopter! Stable and robust, the Parrot AR.Drone2.0 is controlled by Wi-Fi using a smartphone or a tablet, and equipped with embedded high-definition camera enabling video/photo recording and sharing.

In conjunction with On the Fly, the Fleet celebrates San Diego’s innovative UAV and multi-rotor community by hosting local organizations at UAV Day. They will display small multi-rotor aircraft, custom & commercial UAVs and autonomous RC planes and helicopters for hobbyists. Most will bring videos about their creations, their organizations and UAV technology and the myriad applications they are capable of.  These local engineers, inventors, scientists, educators and hobbyists will all share their knowledge and the latest technology! Join in a workshop on unmanned technology, take a pilot lesson on a quad simulator, see how they function in an interactive mini wind tunnel.  Many of the multi-rotors will be available for sale.

Among the offerings:

Lucien Miller will talk about the safe and ethical use of the technology. Lucien is CEO of Vista’s Innov8tive Designs, which distributes electric power systems for use in radio- controlled model aircraft, helicopters and small UAVs; and manufactures and distributes multi-rotor UAVs for commercial and recreational use.  As COO of ROV Systems, Lucien is focused on developing a variety of commercial UAVs for operation in the National Airspace System.  He holds a multi-engine commercial pilot’s license, with 30 years of flying experience, hosts “All Things That Fly,” a weekly podcast program for the radio-controlled modeling community; and recently started a website with positive reports of multi-rotor applications, thetruthaboutdrones.com.  He even created ghost and clown quads for Halloween merriment!

Dr. Eric Frost, who directs the SDSU Viz Center and co-directs the Homeland Security Master’s Program, was just in Mexico to train and work with local authorities for Hurricane Miguel disaster relief and re-establishing communications using UAVs. He will discuss the uses of this new technology in global disasters, man-made events, and positive uses of geospatial and temporal data. Frost and his colleagues use many new technologies and protocols enhanced for situational awareness for challenges including global disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, floods, tornados), man-made events, and positive uses of the same types of geospatial and temporal data.  They work with sensor networks, wireless and optical communications, satellite connectivity, data fusion, visualization, and decision support for first responders and humanitarian groups, especially crossing the civilian-military boundary.  They currently focus on the use of social media and near real-time mapping with open-source tools and web services.  Their efforts to assist in these disaster responses has also morphed into working to increase Trade as a daily means of ensuring that relationships exist, networks are working, and countries are benefiting from collaboration. 

Gus Calderon of IsisCopter will speak on UAS Operation in the National Airspace System, reviewing the current FAA regulations relating to the three categories of unmanned aircraft.  With 18 years of experience as a commercial pilot, Gus will explain how the airspace regulations affect operators of unmanned aircraft, and review safe operational guidelines for recreational users of multi-rotors. He and his wife Maha Calderon will screen their documentary Civilian Drones - Search and Rescue, based on a Texas man doing search & rescue recovery work with multi-rotors in the desert for the past ten years. Gus runs a Charter Operation, has thousands of flight hours in turbine and high-performance aircraft and over a decade of experience in aerial photography; and has built and flown hundreds of remote-controlled aircraft since the 1970’s. IsisCopter is a small UAS manufacturer developing multirotor platforms and camera gimbals for aerial photography and cinematography.

Chance Roth of San Diego Drone User Group (SDDUG) will speak about the positive commercial uses and applications of the technology and about its popularity from the user group standpoint, as people build their own versions from open source parts.  SDDUG will offer quad pilot lessons on a simulator and a workshop on DIY multi-rotors. Chance runs SDDUG and the DroneLab, the hobbyist end of the hugely popular technology; dedicated to learning and experimenting with multirotors, drones and autonomous vehicles on land, in the air or in the water. We educate, develop and display beginner to advanced rigs and experiments and we all learn and build together to promote the use of civilian drone technology for the benefit of humanity. They will show SDDUG videos, including some amazing footage of the USS Midway.

David Cain will speak on the history and development of unmanned aircraft and civil integration.  David is a former Army tank officer, airline captain, and graduate of UCSD and California Western School of Law. David is President at Cadria Aerospace, works at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc, and also serves as Communication Director for the Air Law Institute at California Western School of Law. Since 2008, David has been involved in an Unmanned Aircraft NAS Integration Study, a regulatory study on the evolving integration of unmanned aircraft into the U.S. national and global airspace systems. He has a varied and interesting background and is an intriguing speaker. They are sponsoring Old Town Academy engineering scholarship kids, who plan to build a scale model of NASA’s Ikhana unmanned aircraft.

Craig Baldwin is a Flight Test Engineer for 3D Robotics, which provides fully-autonomous aircraft and open UAV platforms that deliver professional performance at amazingly affordable prices. From agriculture, search and rescue, wildlife management, mapping and video production to environmental science and medical and human rights applications, 3D Robotics has led the way by building systems that lower the barriers-to-entry for many complex data collection applications.

Wayne Brubaker & Ralph Chaney of American Digital Services will screen The Quest, a short promotional video shot for the Fleet—a hero’s journey to save the Princess, avoid the villain and earn his way onto the demo team for On the Fly—and discuss the challenges shooting in the galleries and giant dome theater!

Mike Morgan of MultiRotor Systems will display both sport flying and how to fly from a computer-controlled ground station.  He will also bring along the stars of The Quest, as one of the pilots involved!

To date, the San Diego Wind Tunnel has tested several unmanned air vehicles (UAV’s) including the Global Hawk by Northrop Grumman Corporation and the Predator by General Atomics-ASI.  Our involvement in the unmanned community continues to grow each day.

Unmanned Vehicle Solutions/CAL UAS (California Unmanned Aircraft Systems) is a front-runner in the FAA competition to select six UAV test sites in the US.  It is America’s most storied aviation testing ground, and team members are pioneering bold new technologies such as sense & avoid and hybrid electric aircraft.

Beth Bulger of Go Professional Cases will display a variety of custom-designed professional cases designed for the protection, storage, transport & organization of remote controlled aircraft and equipment.

The Fleet would like to thank Monica England and AUVSI San Diego for their great assistance organizing this event. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems Internationally better known as AUVSI is the only organization in the world solely dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics technology.  San Diego is a center of excellence for unmanned systems and technology as we have the top two UAV manufacturers right here in San Diego.  AUVSI and AUVSI San Diego are advocates in this ever-growing industry and support STEM education and research for the greater good.

On the Fly: Technology Takes Off made its debut at the Fleet on August 2, and will remain through the end of December 2013. UAV Day will take place on Sunday, October 6, from 10AM–4PM. 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: Members free; Nonmembers: Adults $13, Seniors $12, Children $11. The Fleet’s hours are Monday–Thursday, 10AM–5PM; Friday–Sunday, 10AM–6PM. For more information, call (619) 238-1233 or visit our website at http://www.rhfleet.org/exhibitions/fly

I have lots of photos from our participants and visuals available on request, including:

Links to footage from Civilian Drones - Search and Rescue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Z6P3uq87M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PPzHvsynOI  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEPF9bCJj18

Videos of Lucien Miller’s Halloween creations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lOE4CvyHC4; Paranormal RC Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjRAMy5WxXE; Ghost Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6jfuyA1LHg

On the Fly: Technology Takes Off features a fascinating display highlighting the unique characteristics of UAVs and how they fly, using magnetometers, pressure sensors, ultrasound sensors, gyroscopes, rotors and motors. Catch one of the multiple daily performances by small-scale unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which take flight in a temporary arena in the Main Gallery—hovering, moving, reassembling and reshaping the space. Then apply the principles of aerodynamics to create your own aircraft—the Fleet provides the supplies, you provide creativity. See how your creation takes flight by testing it in a wind tube or sending it into the sky with the motorized airplane launcher. Learn all about the constantly evolving uses of unmanned flight technology at our digital media kiosk highlighting current events in the field.

On the Fly: Technology Takes Off has been designed to utilize current knowledge on this new emerging technology, research its future potential and make that information about UAVs accessible and memorable to the general public. As advances have been made in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, their usage has expanded. Faster, lighter hardware and more sophisticated software have increased their ease of use and maneuverability. Multi-rotor design has become a popular consumer hobby, and their appeal is widespread with local clubs, blogs, websites, competitions, off-the-shelf consumer products and even phone apps for controls.  With UAV Day, we bring the experts together in one room to learn more!

Whether through the air, on the ground or in the water, the use of UAV technology holds enormous potential to make individuals safer, more secure and more productive. The existing uses range from agricultural applications, military uses, ease of filming for commercials and sports, search and rescue, wildlife management, hurricane tracking and mapping archeological ruins.  These systems allow police, fire and other first responders to locate missing children and others in disaster-stricken areas, help fight wildfires and respond to natural disasters. They assist the Coast Guard in rescue missions and help the Border Patrol keep our borders secure. They boost agricultural production and efficiency and allow us to better protect the environment. And they create high-quality, well-paying jobs across the country in a variety of fields.

Civilian Drones - Search and Rescue is a documentary film that highlights the effects of current UAV regulations on search and rescue operations. In moments of life and death, bureaucracy steps in and denies SAR teams an aerial view and situational awareness, the most important tools in Search and Rescue. The faster a victim is located, the better his or hers chances of being found alive.  Civilian Drones can make the difference between a successful rescue and a recovery operation. The film highlights a cast and crew of Aviation Experts, Law Enforcement, Volunteers Organizations as well as advocates that want to see UAV receive more public awareness on its life-saving capability. Applications for UAV's are endless, but the first film in this series takes a close look at search and rescue. After all, isn't a human life worth saving?

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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.