This year’s Drone Safety Day in April was dedicated to educating the drone community about the importance of flying safely and highlighting the good that drones bring to communities.
Some highlights of the day included presentations on the benefits of safe drone operations, with a focus on in-person, virtual, and hybrid events in key areas such as education, environment, and emergencies.
Abraham Karem is often referred to as the “godfather” or “founding father” of drone technology due to his pioneering work in uncrewed aerial vehicles in the 1970s and 1980s.
He designed groundbreaking aircraft and established companies such as Leading Systems, playing a crucial role in the development of an influential drone.
His innovations laid the groundwork for today’s sophisticated unmanned aircraft systems, making him a central figure in drone history.
In 2015, Jordi Muñoz was profiled by The Wall Street Journal as a co-founder of 3D Robotics, a pioneering consumer drone company.
The article highlighted Muñoz’s journey as a Mexican immigrant who hacked a Nintendo Wii controller to create the first stabilized drone, embodying the “American dream” and the potential for innovation in the United States.
While awaiting his green card in California in 2007, Muñoz adapted a Wii controller to stabilize his model helicopter, laying the groundwork for future drone technology.
His innovative efforts caught the attention of Chris Anderson, then the editor of Wired magazine, leading to the co-founding of 3D Robotics in 2009.
The Wall Street Journal recognized Muñoz as a “wunderkind” and a key figure in the “consumer-drone revolution,” showcasing his significant contributions to the growing industry. Pioneers of Drone Technology and the American Dream
Muñoz attributes his success to the encouragement he received in the United States, highlighting the opportunities available to hard-working immigrants.
Muñoz was also featured in “A Consumer-Drone Pioneer: 5 Self-Made Hispanic US Immigrant Millionaires” on CNBC.
In 2022, Aztec Reports included him among 15 entrepreneurs to watch. After arriving from Ensenada, Mexico, and awaiting his U.S. green card, Muñoz broke open his Nintendo Wii controller, marking the beginning of his remarkable journey in the drone industry. The rest, as they say, is history.
Today—April 26, is National Drone Safety Day. Drone Safety Day (DSD) is the FAA’s annual campaign dedicated to educating the drone community of the importance of flying safely and highlight the good that drones contribute to our community.
Rick Grover — Principal Engineer,… pic.twitter.com/h2aWoVFu5R
— General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (@GDBIW) April 26, 2025
It’s #InternationalDroneDay! ✈️🚁
To mark the occasion, discover how @NASAaero works with industry partners to take unmanned aircraft systems closer to operating in harmony with other aircraft in the national airspace: https://t.co/F3oohESGvW pic.twitter.com/EiqzkobFBp
— NASA (@NASA) May 2, 2020
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