methods to discover an occasion close to you

Mark your calendar: FAA Drone Security Day 2026 is about for Saturday, April 25, 2026. Even higher is that there are dozens of free occasions taking place throughout the nation so you possibly can take part in what’s the closest factor now we have to a nationwide drone vacation.

The annual occasion was beforehand often known as Nationwide Drone Security Consciousness Week (sure, it spanned 7 days). Extra lately, it’s been condensed right into a single targeted day, and it’s the FAA’s marketing campaign to convey collectively the drone group round protected and accountable flying.

This 12 months’s theme is “Fly RIGHT” with a give attention to three matter areas: schooling, emergencies, and setting. Assume drone use in STEM school rooms, public security drone packages and environmental functions like wildlife monitoring and reforestation.

For drone pilots, I contemplate this drone vacation excuse to get out, meet different pilots, be taught one thing new, and — in lots of circumstances — truly fly.

Many individuals commonly go to drone meetups, however I understand it could robust to be a beginner at one in every of these drone meetups when everybody else seemingly is aware of one another! That’s not the case on Drone Security Day, after I discover persons are particularly open to newbies (although for what it’s price, I at all times really feel welcome at any drone meetup I’m going to). It’s additionally excuse to take a look at native faculties which may have drone packages and meet the school. And whereas some folks would possibly solely have free time for a number of meetups a 12 months, these are typically probably the most full of life meetups — as a result of if folks can solely select one, it’ll usually be this one.

Better of all? Most occasions are free.

FAA Drone Security Day 2026 occasions taking place across the nation

Although not a whole record of FAA Drone Security Day 2026 (to be sincere, extra maintain getting added daily!), listed below are a handful of the registered occasions that I believed to spotlight, both as a result of they have been in comparatively populated areas, that they had some kind of distinctive element to them or they have been particualrly price visiting given their robust instructional or group ties.

Bay Space, California — 4th Bay Space Annual Drone Security Day April 25 | 9:00 AM | SF Drone College FRIA Discipline, Treasure Island (eleventh & Ave E)

This one has rather a lot occurring: meet FAA FASTeam drone execs and security inspectors, see what the U.S. Coast Guard is doing with drones, fly the NIST course, get your airframe Distant ID examined, and watch FPV racers arrange a course with 7-inch, 10-inch, and X-Class frames. Carry your individual plane. Free to attend.

Dade Metropolis, Florida — third Annual Drone Security Day at PHSC April 25 | 10:00 AM | Pasco-Hernando State Group Faculty, 36727 Blanton Highway

A family-friendly occasion protecting public security drones, micro drone impediment programs, RC automotive races, an underwater ROV expertise, and a stay LiDAR mapping simulation. Free admission and parking, plus meals vans.

Lansing, Michigan — 4th Annual FAA Drone Security Day at Lansing Group Faculty April 25 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | LCC West Campus, 5708 Cornerstone Dr

Morning periods with business consultants protecting drone security and group functions, afternoon open flying. Leisure pilots may take the TRUST examination on-site — that’s the FAA leisure security certificates required for pastime flyers. Carry your individual drone. Free.

Minneapolis, Minnesota — Drone Security Day at U of M Robotics Institute April 25 | 10:00 AM | Shepherd Laboratories, 100 Union Road SE

Hosted by the Minnesota Robotics Institute on the College of Minnesota Twin Cities, this one is extra research-oriented — you’ll get to tour the lab and meet researchers, native drone firms, skilled associations, and aviation security professionals. Although it’s free, parking prices a nominal payment at $1/hour in campus ramps.

Wilmington, Delaware — Drone Security Day at Goldey-Beacom Faculty April 25 | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

A full-day occasion protecting drone security schooling. See their full schedule of occasions, and register right here:

Palatine, Illinois — third Annual Drone Expertise and Security Day April 25 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Harper Faculty, 1200 West Algonquin Highway, Constructing D

Puerto Rico — Drone Security Day April 25 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Inter American College, Bayamón Campus

El Paso, Texas — Drone Lovers of El Paso (DEEP) Drone Security Day April 25 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Westside Group Park, 7400 Excessive Ridge Dr

Jensen Seaside, Florida — sixth Annual South Florida Drone Meetup April 10-12 | 7:00 AM | Jensen Seaside Causeway Park

This one runs a number of weeks earlier than Drone Security Day correct however is a part of the broader marketing campaign. Open to new and skilled pilots, TRUST certificates required to fly, giveaway prizes and leisure. Electronic mail raykelly735@gmail.com for extra particulars.

Brenham, Texas — Blinn Faculty Drone Fest 2026 April 17 | 9:00 AM | Blinn Faculty Brenham Campus, STEI Constructing

Scottsdale, Arizona — First Annual DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm April 20-22 | Speaking Stick Resort, 9800 E Speaking Stick Manner

This one skews extra towards public security and enterprise drone operators than leisure pilots, however price realizing about if that’s your world.

Wildwood, Missouri — Drones and Cones Could 7 | 1:00 PM | St. Louis Group Faculty Wildwood Campus

Technically after Drone Security Day however registered as a part of the marketing campaign.

Thief River Falls, Minnesota — Northland Expo 2026 April 14 | 9:00 AM | 13892 Airport Dr

Tasley, Virginia — Japanese Shore Drone Security Day 2026 April 25 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | A&N Electrical Cooperative Headquarters, 21275 Cooperative Manner

After which simply after Drone Security Day 2026, don’t miss the 2026 version of Palm Springs Drone Fest. I attended the inaugural 2025 occasion and it was significantly the most effective drone competition/occasion/honest of all time. Get extra information at psdronefest.com.

Easy methods to discover extra Drone Security Day occasions and register

The total record of registered occasions — and a device to search out ones close to you — is on the Nationwide Middle for Autonomous Applied sciences web site. It’s also possible to register your individual occasion if you wish to host one thing in your group. The FAA encourages in-person, digital, and hybrid codecs.

Whether or not you’re a leisure pilot who’s by no means thought a lot about airspace guidelines, a business Half 107 pilot trying to keep present, or simply somebody interested in what drones can truly do — Drone Security Day occasions are low-stakes, free, and a great way to fulfill the native drone group in individual. April 25 isn’t far off.

And if you’d like much more drone occasions by 2026, try my information to all the opposite high festivals, conferences and workshops scheduled by the tip of December 2026.

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