WSI/CES Governance Note (candidate framing, pre_gate_0 / Governance Sandbox Candidate):
Program Owner: Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver / 大溫哥華中華文化中心 — identified by KCE; formal CCC confirmation pending.
Program Contact / Channel Lead: Martin Yeung — community/media/event channel lead and proposal contact, pending CCC confirmation; not the program owner, legal owner, technical owner, drone operator, or a WSI/CES-approved representative.
Not an approved WSI/CES partnership.
Program Scope
Regulatory Readiness & Responsible Drone Use
The CCCVAN Drone Education & Events Program is currently a curriculum, awareness, and event-concept program only. Outdoor flight operations, advertised event flights, drone shows, youth flight training, and public demonstrations are not approved at this stage. Any future operational activity requires qualified operators, venue permission, airspace review, insurance review, privacy safeguards, and applicable Transport Canada / NAV CANADA / municipal approvals.
Drones as regulated aircraft
Microdrone vs 250g+ drone categories
Basic / Advanced / Complex certification awareness
Youth training supervision boundaries
Indoor vs outdoor operation boundary
Controlled airspace awareness
NAV Drone and NRC site-selection awareness
Privacy and image/data collection
Event and drone-show SFOC requirements
Why CCCVAN is curriculum-first, not operation-first
This module is educational only. It does not authorize students, volunteers, CCC, Martin Yeung, WSI/CES, or partners to operate drones.
Benchmark Reference
External Drone Education & Career Pathway Benchmarks
CCCVAN is curriculum-first. It can help learners understand career pathways, but does not replace academic degrees, Transport Canada certification, commercial flight reviews, or qualified operator training.
All providers listed below are benchmark / pathway reference only — not approved partners.
Global Academic Programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
University of North Dakota
Indiana State University
Fullerton College Drone Lab
Local / Canadian Commercial Training Pathways
Vancouver Aviation College
Coastal Drone Co.
11 Alpha Drone
BCIT RPAS-related training
Career Fields
Surveying
Videography / media
Public safety
Emergency response
Environmental monitoring
Agriculture
Inspection
Advanced air mobility
CCCVAN does not currently provide degree programs, Transport Canada certification, flight reviews, BVLOS authorization, drone-show operations, or operational flight approval. These pathways require qualified institutions, certified operators, regulatory compliance, and separate approval.
The Vision
Digitizing Culture for the Next Generation
The Chinese Cultural Centre has an extraordinary opportunity to position itself as a bridge between cultural heritage and future technology — bringing together Chinatown, Richmond, and multicultural Vancouver around drones, coding, and community.
"When we talk about culture we are always talking about something old. It is the time now to digitize everything — the old is now new, and the new is now technology."
— Martin Yeung, Concept Discussion, May 11, 2026
🎓
Train the next generation
Teenagers through post-secondary students gain real, certifiable drone and programming skills in a culturally grounded environment.
🌏
Multicultural bridge
Draw Canadian, Chinese, and diaspora communities together around shared innovation — not just shared history.
🚀
Showcase technology
Programmable drones are the centerpiece: visible, exciting, and a tangible demonstration of what learning can produce.
🏮
Chinatown as connector
The CCC and Chinatown serve as the link between cultural roots and a technology-forward future — a node that radiates outward across the city.
Concept approved: AI Technology Training Centre, Richmond
The drone assembly, roadshow, and training program concept has received approval in principle. This document builds on that foundation with a structured curriculum and event strategy to begin formalizing the initiative.
Curriculum Framework
Three-Level Drone Training Program
Designed for ages 13 through post-secondary, progressing from flight fundamentals to professional drone show choreography and autonomous programming. Each level builds toward the next.
Core concepts
- What drones are and how they work (lift, thrust, motors, sensors)
- Parts identification and safety rules
- Regulations: Transport Canada rules for drones under 250g
- Manual flight fundamentals (yaw, pitch, roll, throttle)
- Pre-flight checklists and battery management
Hands-on skills
- Fly a drone safely indoors through obstacle courses
- First block-coding exercises using DroneBlocks or Scratch
- Program a drone to trace a simple geometric shape
- Capture aerial photos; discuss framing and composition
- Group challenge: complete a timed flight relay
Cultural integration
- History of kites and early flight in Chinese culture
- Chinese New Year: program a drone to "fly" a dragon path
- Introduce concept of drone light formations as art
Capstone project
- Mini indoor drone show: each student programs a 30-second autonomous flight sequence
- Performances shared with families at end-of-session showcase
Outcome
Students can safely operate and program a drone for basic autonomous missions. They earn a CCC "First Flight" completion badge and are ready to advance to Intermediate.
Technical skills
- Python and block-to-text coding transition
- Waypoint navigation and GPS coordinate programming
- Sensor integration: ultrasonic, optical flow, barometer
- Intro to swarm logic: sequential and parallel flight coordination
- LED light programming for color sequencing
Mission design
- Plan and execute a multi-drone choreography sequence (3–5 drones)
- Design aerial patterns inspired by Chinese cultural motifs (phoenix, lantern, ideograph)
- Collision avoidance logic and safe separation distances
- Intro to drone show software (Skybrush or DroneBlocks Light Show)
Event & marketing foundations
- How drone events are organized: permits, zones, stakeholders
- Sponsor identification and basics of event budgeting
- Creating content for social media using drone footage
- Guest lecture: professional drone operator or event producer
Capstone project
- Teams of 3 design and perform a themed 3-drone indoor show
- Present a short event proposal: theme, audience, logistics outline
- Peer and instructor review panel
Outcome
Students can write Python-based drone missions, coordinate multi-drone sequences, and understand the basics of event production. They are eligible to assist as junior crew on CCC community drone events.
Advanced programming
- Full Python automation pipelines and REST API drone control
- Autonomous swarm choreography for 10–50 drones
- 3D formation design using Blender or CAD tools
- Music synchronization and timing logic
- Failsafe protocols: RTH, geofencing, emergency overrides
Outdoor & regulatory mastery
- Transport Canada Advanced Operations certification pathway (RPAS)
- NOTAM filing, airspace authorization, City of Vancouver permits
- Wind, weather, and night-flight planning
- Ground crew roles and communication protocols
- Insurance basics and liability considerations
Event production leadership
- Full event management: venue, permits, sponsors, media
- Community engagement and multicultural programming design
- Budgeting, sponsorship decks, and revenue models
- Volunteer and junior crew coordination
- Post-event reporting and metrics
AI integration
- Intro to AI-assisted flight path optimization
- Computer vision basics: drone object detection demos
- Generative AI tools for show design and visualization
- Guest sessions with Contivos / AI industry partners
Outcome
Graduates are qualified to co-lead outdoor drone show events, hold a Transport Canada Advanced RPAS certificate, and are recognized as Certified CCC Drone Show Producers — eligible to become paid event promoters and crew leads for the CCC signature annual show.
✦ ✦ ✦
Delivery format
- Weekend cohort model (Saturday sessions, 3–4 hours each)
- Optional weekday after-school intensives in summer
- Bilingual facilitation (English / Mandarin) where possible
- Indoor lab facility at CCC Richmond; outdoor sessions at pre-approved City park sites
Equipment & technology
- DJI Tello EDU (introductory fleet, 8–10 units)
- CoDrone EDU (intermediate, 6–8 units)
- Outdoor swarm fleet for Advanced (10–20 units, procurement TBD)
- DroneBlocks curriculum platform; Python IDE setup
- Drone show design software (Skybrush, open-source)
Community Events
Events the CCC Can Own
Beyond the classroom, the CCC can position itself as the premier hub for drone-powered cultural events in Metro Vancouver — anchoring the community in a new kind of shared experience.
Signature Annual Event
CCC Drone Festival & Light Show — Vancouver
The headline event: an outdoor drone light show over a central Vancouver waterfront location (False Creek / Burrard Inlet), synchronized to live music and cultural performance. Modeled on the success of the 2024 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival drone show — the first public drone show in Vancouver — and designed to become an annual cultural landmark.
- 60–200 drone fleet performing a 10–15 minute choreographed show
- Cultural imagery: dragon, phoenix, Chinese lanterns, Canadian maple leaf
- Live music, cultural stage performances, ping pong tournament (China partnership)
- Student crew from Advanced cohort as show operators
- Broadcast online; media partnership for reach
- Multicultural pavilions: Chinese, Indigenous, and broader community
Lunar New Year Drone Showcase
Indoor/covered drone demonstration timed to Chinese New Year — student cohorts perform their capstone shows for families and community. A celebration of both culture and learning.
- Student performances from all three levels
- Open-to-public demonstration flight zone
- Traditional performance arts alongside drone demonstrations
Education
School Roadshow Program
CCC-branded drone demonstration roadshow visiting Metro Vancouver schools — a recruiting and awareness tool that builds the training pipeline.
- Portable indoor demo kit; 30–45 minute assembly
- Student ambassadors from Intermediate/Advanced cohorts
- Enrolment information and scholarship details on hand
Cultural
China–Canada Drone Exchange
Leveraging Martin's team of 3–7 specialists from China: a joint event and workshop bringing drone technology, ping pong tournament, and cross-cultural programming together in a single weekend festival format.
- Visiting Chinese drone tech team: workshops and demonstrations
- Ping pong tournament as anchor activity
- Cultural exchange programming: food, art, performance
- Training content developed with visiting team input
Competition
Lower Mainland Youth Drone Championship
An annual competition for youth teams — drone racing, precision flying, and choreography categories — open to all Metro Vancouver schools and community groups.
- Three divisions aligned to CCC curriculum levels
- Trophies, scholarships, and CCC training bursaries as prizes
- Sponsor activation opportunities for tech companies
Multicultural Tech Fair
A broader community technology fair anchored by the drone program, inviting other cultural organizations to showcase how technology and heritage intersect in their communities.
- Drone demonstrations as the flagship attraction
- AI, robotics, and digital art booths
- Positioned as an annual Chinatown signature event
Flagship Vision
The Vancouver CCC Drone Light Show
Vancouver has already seen its first public drone shows at False Creek — at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival (2024) and the Celebration of Light (2025). The CCC is positioned to own this space permanently as a cultural and technological anchor event.
Venue & logistics
- Recommended venue: False Creek / Northeast Basin (proven precedent)
- Alternatively: Burrard Inlet or waterfront Richmond park
- Coordinate with City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board, Transport Canada
- NOTAM filing 60+ days in advance; airspace authorization required
- Ground safety perimeter: 50–100m clear zone
Show design
- 100–200 drones recommended for public visibility at scale
- 10–15 minute show; 3–5 distinct visual scenes
- Cultural imagery: dragon, phoenix, lanterns, maple leaf, ideographs
- Music synchronized; local artists preferred (precedent: Felix Cartal, Lights)
- Jumbotron broadcast for broad viewing; livestream online
Student involvement
- Advanced cohort graduates serve as certified ground crew
- Intermediate students assist with setup, safety, and communications
- Show director role: Advanced graduate or Contivos-trained lead
- Publicly credited in program and social media
Revenue & sponsorship
- Title sponsor: tech company or cultural institution
- Activation zones for sponsor booths and experiential marketing
- Government grants: Multiculturalism BC, Canadian Heritage, City of Vancouver
- Free-to-attend model maximizes community reach
- Drone show production cost estimate: $80K–$200K depending on fleet size
Partnership Ecosystem
Who We Build With
The program is strongest when it connects multiple communities and institutions. These are the key partnership categories to activate.
Schools & Post-Secondary
SFU, BCIT, UBC, Langara, and Metro Vancouver school districts — curriculum alignment, student pathways, and co-op placements.
China Delegation
Martin's team of 3–7 drone and cultural specialists bringing technology expertise, ping pong tournament infrastructure, and content for joint events.
Technology Partners
DJI (hardware), DroneBlocks / Skybrush (software), Contivos (AI, curriculum design, event tech). Potential for equipment grants and co-branding.
Cultural Organizations
Chinatown BIA, Richmond Cultural Centre, Vancouver Pride Society, local Indigenous cultural organizations — multicultural programming and co-presentation.
Government & Funders
Canadian Heritage, Multiculturalism BC, City of Vancouver, Richmond City. Grant programs available for STEM education and multicultural programming.
Corporate Sponsors
Tech companies, financial institutions, and brands seeking to engage with Vancouver's multicultural and youth communities through activation at CCC events.
Immediate Actions
Next Steps
To move from concept to live program, the following near-term actions are recommended for Martin Yeung and the CCC leadership team.
CCC leadership actions
- Confirm facility availability at CCC Richmond for indoor lab
- Identify initial cohort target: 10–20 introductory students
- Brief CCC board on program vision and budget framework
- Begin outreach to 2–3 Metro Vancouver school districts for roadshow
- Engage City of Vancouver re: future outdoor event permitting
Contivos / Nate Payne actions
- Finalize detailed curriculum module outlines (Intro level first)
- Prepare equipment procurement list and budget estimate
- Draft partnership brief for DJI / DroneBlocks
- Develop sponsorship deck template for CCC events
- Provide AI technology integration plan for Advanced curriculum
Ready to build something remarkable together.
This proposal is a starting point — not a ceiling. The Chinese Cultural Centre has the community relationships, the cultural credibility, and the space to make Vancouver's most distinctive technology education and events program a reality. Contivos is ready to support at every stage.
Prepared in partnership with Contivos — Dr. Nate Payne, PhD · contivos.com