Inaugural event to feature live drone demonstrations, highlight the latest in UAV technology
Flying enthusiasts from Los Angeles and Orange counties are invited to the International Drone Day celebration on Saturday, March 14, in Los Alamitos. Sponsored by RadFlight Inc. and the nonprofit Southern California Drone Zone organization, the event is one of more than 115 taking place in 40 countries to educate the public about the positive ways in which drones are used to better society.
The free event will be held 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Built It Workspace, 4478 Cerritos Ave. in Los Alamitos, where there will be drones on display as well as exhibits and vendors, educational and safety literature, and tours of the facility that offers 3D printers and other tools needed to build small drones.
In addition, SoCal Drone Zone members will fly their own drones and the popular Phantom and Inspire platforms of event sponsor DJI at a nearby location.
SoCal Drone Zone, chartered by the Academy of Model Aeronautics, was formed in 2014 to promote small drones as an entertaining and educational hobby and to encourage the safe and responsible use of all drones by teens and adults. President Mike Rivard said the event will highlight for the public the positive applications of drones. Also referred to as multirotors, quadcopters, flying robots and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones can be used in search and rescue, law enforcement, firefighting, environmental research, conservation and preservation, agriculture, sports, photography and cinematography.
Rivard, who is also CEO of RadFlight Inc., a professional drone company that consults, builds and operates small commercial drones, said, “People are getting more accepting of drones and more comfortable about their operation. We hope we can mitigate fears some people may have about commercial drones.”
The Federal Aviation Administration recently released proposed rules for the operation of small drones weighing 55 pounds or less for commercial purposes. Those proposed rules could go into effect by 2017 after a long public comment period. Other Southern California drone events will be held in Venice and in the San Fernando Valley. For more information, go to www.radflight.com, @RadFlight or www.internationaldroneday.com
Contact: Mike Rivard 310.266.7676 mikerivard@radflight.com
