Saturday is Drone Day at the Thunderbird Drone Festival.

Drone Day

Taking place at the OSU Tulsa Conference Center

Drone Day will feature various panels, activities, and educational opportunities to learn about the world of drones and UAS technology, including a keynote address from David Zahn (NASA Ames Research Pilot and Principal Investigator). Enjoy the Sky High FPV Races as goggle-wearing pilots race at high speeds through an obstacle course for a chance to be the champion! Whether you’re an avid drone enthusiast or just getting into drones, Drone Day has something for everyone!

Sky High Shootout FPV Races

Watch as goggle-wearing races as they pilot tiny whoop drones through a complicated obstacle course.

Cheer on your favorite pilot and see if they have what it takes to be this year's champion.

Drone Simulators

We’ll have several gaming consoles loaded up with drone simulators

sponsored by Liftoff Drone Simulations.

The FAA and Air Force will also have some INCREDIBLE flight sims on site!

Liftoff: Drone Racing challenges you to start a fast-paced drone racing pilot career on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One! 

With controls optimized for consoles, both pro drone pilots and rookies can enjoy advanced drone physics recommended by top drone pilots across the world. Flying a drone in Liftoff: Drone Racing feels so real, you will forget it is completely virtual!

Customize your authentic race drone with officially licensed top brand drone frames, parts and skins, allowing thousands of combinations. Create the drone of your dreams, start your motors and fly thrilling tracks to be the best drone pilot out there.

Drone Soccer

The Drone Soccer program is an Aerospace/STEM workforce development program. If you have never heard of Drone Soccer, it's like a real life game of Quiddich from Harry Potter. The program is in 34 states and 260 programs nationwide including several teams in Oklahoma. The sport is experience rapid growth adding 120 schools per year and there is a national league for kids to participate. In the program, students build, program, fly, and compete in COED teams. There are many foundational skills that set kids up for future careers in mechanical engineering, coding, troubleshooting, electrical engineering, diverse COED team dynamics, leadership, aerospace maintenance, and Part 107 commercial UAV pilot. These skills lay the groundwork for STEM college programs igniting interest and curiosity in a fun and supportive environment.

STEM Events

Industry Panels & Discussions

The UAS industry is one of the world’s most rapidly expanding industries. Listen to UAS industry experts discuss a range of topics, and get the opportunity to contribute to the discussion via the live Q&A. 

Keynote Address

David Zahn

NASA Ames Research Pilot and Principal Investigator

David Zahn is a NASA Ames Research Pilot and Principal Investigator for NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility research located at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, Oklahoma City, OK. David served as a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot in the U.S. Army and is an Air Medal recipient for MEDEVAC missions flown in Iraq with previous experience in airfield operations, terminal procedures (TERPS), accident investigation and international flight instruction. David’s background in low- level Air Assault, MEDEVAC and aerial firefighting operations combined with his TERPS experience helped NASA formulate revolutionary approach/departure procedures and airspace infrastructure models for AAM research, certification, and integration. David previously led the NASA-Joby partnership and is currently assigned as a project pilot flight testing experimental eVTOL capabilities with DARPA, NRC Canada, Artemis Human Landing System and AFWERX programs. In addition to his NASA duties, David is also developing curriculum for Oklahoma State University’s aerospace engineering program as well as partnering with the Cherokee Nation for research and STEM engagement.  David Zahn graduated from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK where he was also an NCAA Division I athlete.

Industry Panelists

Breakout Sessions

Breakouts led by industry leaders! Click the button below for more info.

Food Trucks