CNY Drones Encourages:

  • exploration of drone technology & STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math) in higher education & employment
  • creative & cooperative participation by students and adults
  • collaboration between the community & SUNY Polytechnic Institute engineering student clubs

CNY Drones Connects:

  • regional drone tech industry professionals
  • middle school, high school & college students
  • technology education instructors

CNY Drones Targets:

  • students, age 12+ (at the critical age of career path exploration)
  • schools, tech clubs & community groups around the NYS UAS Test Site
  • lower income, rural & inner-city populations – those impacted the greatest by funding cutbacks

Affiliations & Connections  – est. 2016 & continuing today!

We’ve met with the area’s drone authorities – agencies, officials, educators, manufacturers, 107 certified pilots, clubs & enthusiasts.  They helped us establish so we could grow drone technology-focused competitions, host a regional information hub & share opportunities for educators & students.  Our community ties continue to expand throughout New York State thanks to sponsorships & partnership projects.   Community Connections

Major Event Hosting

  • 2022 U.S. Drone Soccer District II (fka Region II) Showcase @SUNY Poly, Utica, NY
  • 2023+ U.S. Drone Soccer Annual District II Championship @SUNY Poly
  • 2023+ U.S. Drone Soccer Annual District II Kick-Off @SUNY Poly
  • 2023 U.S. Drone Soccer National Championship @SUNY Poly
  • 2025 U.S. Drone Soccer National Championship @Skydome, Rome, NY
  • 2027 CIAM FAI World Championship @SUNY Poly is in the works!

CNY Drones staff facilitates build programs, software workshops, tech meets, & camps.  They mentor dozens of educators by phone & video conference year-round.  And — Ask us where we’ve had a demo?  Almost everywhere.

District II  Directors for US Drone Soccer

CNY Drones joined established a key connection with US Drone Soccer in October 2021, signing on as the NY/NJ  District II Affiliate.  With the help of the Air Force Research Lab in Rome & our sister organization, SUNY Polytechnic Institute AMA UMASC, we set out to make our area a technical & league support hub, tying into & sharing drone technology educational and employment opportunities.  Drone soccer checks all the boxes as a combined workforce development module & sports program.   

“Exciting, fast-paced action is supported by technical skills that build a solid foundation for entry into the drone technology education & employment pipeline.”

Establishment of a Mentorship Network & Year-Round Drone Events

CNY Drones leads the way by hosting a year-round support system with area mentors & events that help drive STEM interest, directly leading to the higher education & employment pipeline.  Our volunteer Planning Committee consists of our key mentors.  They represent various facets of Central New York’s drone community.

We continually support our staff to become FAA Certified Drone Pilots, members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and U.S. Drone Soccer Certified Instructors.  Our staff knows how to facilitate hands-on building, coding, and flying – all transferrable skills for our students’ futures!

Our mentors help beyond any program.  Sponsorships have allowed us to supply guidance to the drone community and those just getting started!  Questions are funneled to available volunteers through our website Contact Form & Gmail account. We respond to most questions within 24 hours.

1st AMA MASC in New York State  & Encouraging New Clubs!

We established the 1st Academy of Model Aeronautics Model Aviation Student Club in New York State in 2017.   Our MASC affiliation allows us to run drone events with insurance, safety information & a great AMA support system.  Once established, we started helping schools & other drone groups so they could gain the benefits of AMA affiliation under this new club system.  Interested in learning more about CNY Drones safety measures during our events?  Ask John Reade, CNY Drones Safety Officer & Director of Pre-Collegiate Outreach at SUNY Poly.

SUNY AMA UMASC Collaboration                    

  • We are happy to have helped establish & now be work with New York State’s 1st University Model Aviation Student Club!  The SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s former RC Student Club is officially an Academy of Model Aeronautics University Model Aviation Student Club – AMA UMASC #15104.

How CNY Drones works along side SUNY AMA (our sister AMA organization on campus):

  • promoting flight safety under the AMA guidelines
  • event planning & event hosting experience
  • fundraising & providing fundraising opportunities through our community connections
  • community service experience – both local & Statewide
  • mentoring experience – working with students & adults
  • connection to local engineers & valuable company contacts
  • connection to local high school students considering STEM fields
  • introducing younger students & families to the college campus

SUNY AMA Club Advisor is  Bob Payne.   Bob is an Adjunct Instructor in the SUNY Poly Mechanical Technology Department, SUNY Fabrication Club Advisor, a SUNY Alumnus & CNY Drones Volunteer & Event Coordinator.