TESLA Foundation and SBIAA Announce Partnership to Advance Drone Research and Development

LOS ANGELES - June 7, 2016 - PRLog -- The Tesla Foundation is a not-for-profit science and technology foundation that is an expert in UASsubject-matter.  Committed through the power of research and education, it is the Tesla Foundation's mission to create, promote, and protect American jobs and companies with the innovation and knowledge required for commercialization and development of advanced autonomous aerial robotics.

Representatives from the Tesla Foundation and the SBD International Airport have been working together to identify existing partners, resources and systems available to support development of the first Commercial UAS Research Center in the country, to be known as the "National Commercial Drone Research Center" or "NCDRC".  The Research Center will attract to the region highly advanced UAS industries including aeronautics, cyber security and UAS freight for the advancement and testing of drones for commercial applications in logistics and beyond.

As the adoption of commercial drones develops, SBD International Airport is positioned perfectly geographically and economically in one of the largest multi-modal ports in the world. With the rich intellectual capital, blended with the biggest technology companies in aviation and logistics located in the region, SBD International Airport will be a focal point for tremendous innovation and success in the next era of aviation.

"When innovators and capital are managed with intelligence and responsibility, great things happen," stated Keith Kaplan, CEO of the Tesla Foundation "The Tesla Foundation recognizes the remarkable logistics opportunities of SBD International Airport, and believes that this airport should be one of the most important, if not the most important, aviation logistics airports in the world leading the technology for UAS innovations and inventions."

In an effort to advance UAS training and educational programs in the region, the San Bernardino Community College District has taken an active role in the Tesla Foundation initiative. Bruce Baron, Chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District, said "Our District is pleased to be included in the Tesla Foundation Initiative and looks forward to crafting a role that will best serve our students and the Inland Empire community through the utilization of specialized technology in the workforce development arena."

In addition to private education, research and development, the Tesla Foundation will work with SBD International Airport to educate and train Inland residents who own and operate private drones, about the safe and legal operation of UAS devices.

Mark Gibbs, Director of Aviation at the SBD International Airport, believes the partnership with Tesla Group will be an important community based asset as aviation technology evolves. "SBD International Airport is uniquely situated in the Southern California region to support innovative industry-leading change while promoting and advocating compliance with FAA requirements to ensure safety for pilots and the surrounding communities."

SBD International Airport is now home to a rapidly growing list of aviation activity including: Southern California's premier FBO - Luxivair SBD; four Maintenance Repair Stations servicing commercial aircraft, the United States Forest Service Fire Tanker Base, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Aviation Division and state-of-the-art facilities supporting emerging cargo, commercial, and general aviation business segments.

"As a former military installation, the SBD International Airport was a center for aerospace research and development for over 40 years," said Mayor Davis, President of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority Commission. "We are proud to work with the Tesla Foundation as well as our current and incoming partners to build upon that rich heritage while advancing awareness and opportunities in the communities we serve."

On September 30, the Tesla Foundation will host NEXTREND 2016 at the SBD International Airport. NEXTREND 2016 will bring together students, educators, companies and innovators in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), robotics and logistics together for a three-day event featuring vendors, technology demonstrations and panel discussions from the top UAS innovators in the world. Event information can be found at www.nextrend2016.com.

Photos available upon request. For additional information contact:

San Bernardino International Airport Authority

Mark Gibbs, Director of Aviation

(909) 382-4100 Ext: 131

mgibbs@sbdairpot.com

Tesla Foundation Group

Keith Kaplan, CEO

866.691.7776 ext. 007
Cell 213.910.3837
keith@teslafoundationgroup.org