The Thunderbird Drone Festival, held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offers a mix of entertainment and education for drone enthusiasts and the general public. The festival features a keynote presentation by David Zahn, a NASA research pilot and expert in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Zahn’s presentation covered the future of AAM, a rapidly growing field that encompasses technologies like electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. A detailed overview if various aspects of AAM was covered, including passenger comfort and safety relating to this new technology. Oklahoma is actively investing in AAM, with a projected economic benefit of $8.2 billion and a focus on infrastructure development, including vertiports. Significant regulatory hurdles remain for the AAM industry and potential roadmaps to addressing these challenges were discussed during industry panels.

Thunderbird Drone Festival Highlights

• FPV Drone Racing: The festival features “Sky High Shootout FPV races”, offering exciting live drone racing action. FPV (First Person View) drone racing allows pilots to experience flight from the drone’s perspective, adding a thrilling dimension to the competition.
• Drone Light Show: A drone light show followed the film/photo awards show, showcasing the artistic capabilities of drones. Drone light shows are a growing form of entertainment using coordinated drones equipped with LED lights to create mesmerizing aerial displays, the performance for the festival highlighted Oklahoma and Tulsa in the light show display.
• Industry Panels & Discussions: The festival includes industry panels and discussions, providing insights into various aspects of the drone industry. These panels covered topics like drone economics, regulations, and emerging technologies. The sources project a significant economic impact from the drone industry in Oklahoma, with a projected $69 million annual payroll for commercial drone operators and 1,425 cumulative drone pilot jobs by 2045.
• USAF MQ-9 Pilot & Recruitment Booth: The United States Air Force was represented during the panel discussion by a MQ-9 Reaper pilot, discussing both the training of military drone pilots as well as future capabilities of the MQ-9 platform to engage other aircraft.
• Drone Soccer: Drone soccer is a rapidly growing STEM sport that promotes education and career pathways in aerospace. While not a scheduled event, Drone Sports Inc. was present at the festival to demonstrate the emerging sport of “Drone Soccer” to attendees.

Both the state government and local governments in Oklahoma have invested in the drone industry, with Tulsa setting for itself the goal of being the “Drone Capital of the World” aligning with the state’s 2045 drone industry development goals. The festival aligns with Oklahoma’s vision of becoming a leader in advanced mobility, positioning itself as a hub for innovation and growth in the drone sector.

UAS and AAM: Anticipated Economic Benefits in Oklahoma by 2045

Oklahoma is poised for significant economic growth due to UAS and AAM by 2045 according to state documents outlining plans for investment and overall economic impact of the drone industry and Advanced Air Mobility in particular to Oklahoma:

• Job Creation: The sources project a cumulative total of 1,425 drone pilot jobs in Oklahoma by 2045. This number, however, does not include jobs for software creators and analysts, which are expected to be similar. The AAM sector is projected to create over 9,000 new jobs. It’s important to note that this figure represents full-time employment growth in the industry and associated fields, encompassing a wider range of job opportunities beyond just pilots and operators.
• Payroll Growth: The annual payroll for commercial drone operators in Oklahoma is anticipated to reach $69 million by 2045. This figure underscores the potential for high-paying jobs within the UAS sector.
• Capital Expenditure: The sources estimate an annual capital expenditure of $100 million for new drones operating in Oklahoma by 2045. This substantial investment reflects the anticipated growth in drone usage across various sectors, driving demand for new and advanced drone technology.
• Overall Economic Impact: By 2045, Oklahoma’s AAM sector is projected to generate a total economic benefit of $8.2 billion. This includes:
  • $2.2 billion in direct, indirect, and induced economic activity from an eVTOL manufacturer commitment.
  • $5.5 billion in new business activity.
  • $500 million in local and state tax revenues.

These figures highlight the potential for substantial economic growth and diversification driven by the UAS and AAM sectors in Oklahoma. The state’s strategic investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and a supportive legislative framework are expected to contribute significantly to these anticipated benefits.