Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport located in southern New Mexico in the USA has partnered with the New Mexico Filmmakers Give Back, the International Cinematographers Guild and the AMA – Academy of Model Aeronautics to bring together drone enthusiasts from across the USA and beyond to share in three action-packed days of racing, workshops, R/C fixed wing airplane demos and an aerial cinematography contest inside the futuristic horizontal launch campus.
The Spaceport America Drone Summit, November 11-13, 2016 features four main areas of activity: FPV (First Person View) Drone Racing, R/C Fixed Wing Aircraft Demos, Drone Workshops and an Aerial Cinematography Challenge. The horizontal launch area will be converted into the “Gateway to Space Drone Village” for the duration of the summit, where spectators and participants can enjoy an excellent view of the races and demos as well as live music, and delicious food and beverages provided by local vendors. Vendors from the drone industry will also be on hand with their latest offerings on display.
Registration is open now for pilots, workshop participants and spectators. All pilots must have registered their drone with the FAA at https://registermyuas.faa.gov and be current members of the AMA www.modelaircraft.org/joinama to race or fly at the summit. The AMA is the official sanctioning body of the Spaceport America Drone Summit 2016.
“This is a first-of-its-kind of event at Spaceport America designed to bring drone enthusiasts from the film industry, FPV racing circuit, drone manufacturing and regulating bodies together for an amazing three days.” said Tammara Anderton, Vice President Business Development Spaceport America.  “We are very fortunate to have such enthusiastic and expert partners in the New Mexico Filmmakers Give Back, the International Cinematographers Guild and the AMA – Academy of Model Aeronautics.”
“NMFGB are honored to be a part of this great event and the NM Film Annual Film & Media Industry Conference in Albuquerque that is being held in conjunction with it. New Mexico will truly be ‘Film Central’ in November,” said Jon Hendry, Member of the Board, New Mexico Film Makers Give Back.
“The international Cinematographers Guild is pleased to be a supporter of Spaceport America, New Mexico Filmmakers Give Back and the AMA in Spaceport America’s first drone event,” says ICG Business Representative Michael Chambliss. “Drones are a transformative technology with broad commercial applications as well as being off-the-hook fun for hobbyists and racers. Our expert members believe that it’s vitally important for everyone who flies drones, professional and amateur alike, to attend events like this as part of learning how to fly safely and responsibly.”
The AMA has designed three exciting race types with thousands of dollars in prize money:
- 4-Cell FPV Drone Race
- Race-What-You-Brought FPV Drone Race
- 25-lap Team FPV Drone Race
R/C Fixed Wing Demos
Spaceport America’s two mile long spaceway will host the R/C Fixed Wing Airplane Demonstrations, where experienced radio controlled airplane pilots will be flying and showcasing their aircraft of all types. There will be scale aircraft replicas of WWI and WWII war birds, extreme acrobatic airplanes and more. Some airplanes will have 8 to 10 foot wingspans! The demonstrations are open to all participants and spectators and will begin on Saturday, November 12 from 10:00am until 5:00pm and again on Sunday, November 13 from 10:00am until 12:00pm.
Aerial Cinematography Challenge
The Aerial Cinematography Challenge is composed of three phases: Practice Day (optional on Friday, November 11 from 9:00am until 5:00pm), Camera Day and Judgment Day. The contest will take place on Saturday, November 12 from 9:00am until 5:00pm and is designed to resemble the challenges and scenarios found on a live motion picture set. With specific targets and a storyboard that the ‘director’ wants to see take life. The participant will help the director realize his/her vision. In addition to capturing the shot, participants will be evaluated on safety, and how they conduct themselves ‘on-set’. The Aerial Cinematography Challenge will culminate with judging and an awards party on Sunday, November 13.
Workshop sessions featuring the following speakers will be available on Friday and Saturday from 9:15am until 5:15pm:
Colin Guin, President, Hangar Technology, former CRO of 3D Robotics, former CEO of DJI NA
Topic: Drone Technology – from Hobbyist to Professional
Chad Budreau, AMA Government Relations Director
Topic: Know Before You Fly & The Future of Drones
Luke T. Davis, Co-founder of Flytcam Motion Pictures
Topic: Flying for Hollywood – Challenges and Opportunities
FAA’s Safety Team (FAASTeam)
Topic: Federal Aviation Regulations Part 107
Enjoy the sizzle reel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW2uYVquFDI
Check out the amazing – Gateway to Space Drone Village, speakers and schedule here: http://spaceportamericadronesummit.com/schedule/
Drone Race Tracks, Cinematographers Challenge and R/C Fixed Wing Demo info here: http://spaceportamericadronesummit.com/racetrack-rules/
Become a Sponsor or Vendor here: http://spaceportamericadronesummit.com/sponsors/
BOOK your tickets here: http://spaceportamericadronesummit.com/registration/
Travel and accommodation info here: http://spaceportamericadronesummit.com/about/
Engage here: @SA_DroneSummit
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About The International Cinematographers Guild (ICG 600)
The International Cinematographers Guild represents the most talented camera professionals and publicists in the world. The technicians and artisans in our union are the creators of the visual images on the big screen, the television screen and our computer screen. Visit https://www.icg600.com/ for more information.
About The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)
The Academy of Model Aeronautics, founded in 1936, continues to be devoted to national airspace safety. It serves as the nation’s collective voice for approximately 190,000 modelers in 2,400 clubs in the United States and Puerto Rico. Headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, the AMA is a membership organization representing those who fly model aircraft for recreation and educational purposes. For more information, visit www.modelaircraft.org.
About New Mexico Filmmakers Give Back (NMFGB)
New Mexico Filmmakers Give Back (NMFGB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to acknowledging the faith the citizens of New Mexico have in our state film programs – which provide sustainable, long-term, well paying jobs and benefits for New Mexicans. NMFGB strives to give back by supporting community building events and organizations throughout the state of New Mexico. Visit https://www.facebook.com/NMFilmmakersGiveBack/ for more information.
About Spaceport America
Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. The FAA-licensed launch complex, situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico, boasts 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, low population density, a 12,000-foot spaceway, and 340+ days of sunshine and low humidity. Some of the most respec
ted companies in the commercial space industry are customers at Spaceport America: Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, UP Aerospace and EXOS. Visit http://spaceportamerica.com and http://gatewaytospace.com for more information.
