Drone Demo Educates the Public

Photo By Cpl. Logan Snyder | WILLIAMSBURG-JAMESTOWN AIRPORT, WILLIAMSBURG, VA - Drone demonstration held to promote responsible use of drone technology for positive applications, May 7. The event was open to the public and marked the first time aircrafts and drones were being operated simultaneously at a public airport. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Logan Snyder)  

WILLIAMSBURG, VA, UNITED STATES

05.07.2016

Story by Cpl. Logan Snyder 

Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command

WILLIAMSBURG-JAMESTOWN AIRPORT, WILLIAMSBURG, VA. - Drone displays and demonstrations were conducted on Saturday May 7 at International Drone Day 2016 sponsored by the Academy of Model Aeronautics. The event was open to the public.
“We wanted the public to witness firsthand the kind of things they see and read about on the news,” said Jay Willmott, a member of Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. “This is an opportunity for us to educate not only the general public but the general aviation community that drones can be operated safely in the national airspace system.”
The Federal Aviation Administration must license drones for commercial use. The FAA also offers an app, B4U FLY, that educates drone hobbyists about how to safely fly their unmanned aircrafts.
“The FAA limits drones to an altitude of 400 feet and within line of sight,” said Daniel Morris, executive director of the peninsula technology incubator.
Anyone who flies a drone must realize they are aviators, said Wilmott. “They are members of the aviation community and have a responsibility to operate safely so that no one gets hurt.”
There are two types of aerial drones, a multirotor helicopter type and the fixed wing aircraft designed for horizontal flight. Most of the drones at May 7’s demo were of the multirotor variety.
“As we start building more membership, we started realizing the need to promote a more positive, responsible image of drones with the general public,” said Morris. “We wanted to offer more opportunities for people to come and learn about drones.”
The Tidewater Drone Club holds their meeting at Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport on the first Sunday of every month and is the newest AMA chartered club.
“We enjoyed the opportunity to come to the airport, the owner has been very supportive, as well as the Department of Aviation,” said Willmott. “The drone is a means of attractive kids into getting into the hobby, helping them find careers in aviation, aviation maintenance, or other mechanical engineering.”

• Date Taken: 05.07.2016
• Date Posted: 05.10.2016 13:26
• Story ID: 197774
• Location: WILLIAMSBURG, VA, US