Drones, Search and Rescue, and the Future of Flight

A Fascinating Evening with Phillip Prinzi

At our April 17th meeting, the Apex Lions Club welcomed Phillip Prinzi as our guest speaker—and what a treat it was! Phillip, an FAA Certified Drone Pilot and proud member of the American Legion Post 144 in Apex, gave a truly eye-opening presentation on the fast-evolving world of drone technology.

Drones, officially classified as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are becoming more precise and powerful than many of us realized. Phillip shared that today’s drones can land within three centimeters of a programmed location—just one of many jaw-dropping facts that had our members leaning in with interest.

Phillip walked us through the broad range of drone sizes and uses. From hobbyists to high-stakes emergency operations, drones are proving to be indispensable tools. Phillip has personally assisted law enforcement in search and rescue missions, where drones—sometimes equipped with infrared cameras—can locate people invisible to the human eye. He described drones with license plate-reading cameras that work from up to 3.5 miles away, and even drones used by firefighters to find people inside burning buildings or hoist fire hoses higher than traditional ladder trucks can reach.

In other parts of the world, such as Africa and Asia, drones are even used as flying ambulances—offering faster response times than ground vehicles in critical situations. And the capabilities keep expanding: Some drones can shoot vertically into the sky at speeds up to 99 MPH. As Phillip put it, the only real limits are legal, not technological.

Looking ahead, Phillip believes passenger drones could be part of our daily transportation sooner than we think. But he stressed the importance of responsible flying and proper licensing. Any commercial use of drones—including taking footage for real estate listings, weddings, or church services—requires FAA certification. It’s not just about getting great shots—it’s about safety and compliance with strict regulations.

Phillip also gave us a glimpse into the cutting-edge ways drones are operated. Some pilots wear goggles that let them see exactly what the drone’s camera sees, creating a first-person view experience. Others use motion-based controllers that allow them to maneuver the drone simply by pointing.

The evening wrapped up with a sobering video showcasing a military application of drone technology. It served as a powerful reminder of the ethical considerations and potential consequences that come with these innovations. We hope to share a link to that video soon for those interested.

Our club was grateful for Phillip’s insights, and we’re proud to highlight speakers like him—people who not only inform and inspire but also serve their community in meaningful ways.

If you’re curious, community-minded, and enjoy learning about fascinating topics like this, we’d love for you to visit a meeting and see what the Apex Lions Club is all about. There’s always a seat at the table—and maybe even a drone overhead!