Ava McDonnell
Full Sail University is preparing to open its new Drone Innovation Center in early December 2025, bringing a state-of-the-art indoor drone research and training facility to Central Florida. The 7,870-square-foot space will serve students studying drone technology, artificial intelligence, simulation engineering, live event production, cybersecurity, and software development on the university’s Winter Park campus near Orlando.
“We continue to listen to the industries where our alumni work, and drone technology is rapidly becoming essential across media, business, emergency response, defense, and entertainment,” said Dr. Haifa Maamar, executive director of emerging technologies at Full Sail University, in a press release. “This new space gives students the tools and environment to innovate, test, and collaborate across disciplines.”
Drone Labs and Learning Spaces
Construction began in July 2025, and the new facility includes dedicated labs, flight zones, and engineering workspaces designed to blend creativity, technology, and real-world training. The center features:
- Advanced Indoor Flight Zone: a fully netted drone area for autonomous flight testing, drone racing, safety simulations, and live event practice, featuring a 360-degree LED display and programmable racing gates.
- Engineering & Fabrication Lab: Workstations with 3D printers, electronics tools, and soldering setups for designing and building custom drone parts.
- Simulation & AI Lab: High-performance PCs and flight control software for testing autonomous navigation systems, computer vision, and drone simulations.
- Communications & Media Hub: A studio for live streaming, podcasting, and interactive drone demonstrations.
- Remote Operations Control Room: A command-center-style environment modeled after professional live event, commercial, and defense drone control facilities.
- Situation Room: A collaborative briefing and analysis space for reviewing drone footage, mission strategy, and project development.
In 2024, the United States National Drone Association chose Full Sail’s campus as its national headquarters, and in 2025, the university launched a student-run Drone Club to support research, racing, and hands-on learning.
The new facility will encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration across programs in technology, film, entertainment, software engineering, and digital arts – preparing graduates for the fast-growing drone industry in Florida and beyond.
Additional details on opening events, drone tournaments, and student programs will be announced as the facility’s launch approaches.
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