STEM Advocates
CNY Drones is a volunteer group located in Central New York State. Our recreational drone information hub provides information to promote safe flying & encourage participation in STEM-rich drone events.
Program Planning
Our core volunteer Planning Committee meets weekly – either in person or via Google Hangout. The Committee steers promotion & event planning. We center our work around our mission & strategic plan. Meetings include a cross-section of our regional recreational drone community, educators, and representatives from local technology business & industry. We encourage participation from new organizations & appreciate their input!
Interactive demonstrations/exhibits & events are scheduled for our supporters, not-for-profit entities & community benefit as funding permits. Programs further our Drones-in-STEM promotional objectives, help produce a safe flying community & inspire new volunteers & mentors. Events are scheduled 2-4 months in advance. Most events are on off-hours & weekends to accommodate volunteer schedules and to insure the availability of space. We attempt to locate space at low-to-no-cost, relying heavily on community organizations to partner with us to keep costs to a minimum. For programs 50+ miles away from our central group of mentors in the Utica/Rome area, additional logistical costs can be anticipated.
Funding 
CNY Drones is supported by annual sponsors, grants, individual donations and a dedicated volunteer network. CNY Drones exists under our fiscal agent, The Griffiss Institute, a 501c3 nonprofit talent and technology accelerator for the United States Department of Defense and an international network of academic, government and industry partners. CNY Drones relies on sponsor funding & program fees to sustain our cost-effective programming. Help Us
Working Affiliations
CNY Drones is growing as the 1st Academy of Model Aeronautics Model Aviation Student Club (AMA MASC) in New York State. We encourage student groups to form drone clubs under the AMA & offer assistance in getting started. We are also a NUAIR Education Partner.
In September 2021 we became NY/NJ AMA Region II Affiliate for U.S. Drone Soccer.
Check out our growing community Connections!
College Collaboration
We collaborate with the SUNY Polytechnic Institute AMA University Model Aviation Student Club #15104 to promote STEM. Our projects bring the community on campus & college students into the community. SUNY AMA regularly hosts events. Their members often travel with us. We appreciate the continued support & commitment of SUNY Polytechnic Institute engineering students from all the CGAM clubs – AMA, Fabrication, & 3D Printing & Design. They’ve worked together to set a great example & help raise the bar higher at every event!
Special Rule for Model Aircraft – Section 336 (2019 – faa.gov)