Drone Radio Show

What do investors look for in the UAS Industry? Vadim Tarasov is founding partner of Advanced Autonomous Solutions Fund, a fund investing in unmanned solutions globally. The fund believes that automation will play a key role in transformation of the largest industries in the next 2-5 years and only a handful of companies will serve as a backbone for such automation. One of those companies is UAVOS, which specializes in the design, development and manufacturing of unmanned vehicles and autopilot systems, as well as components such as servo drives, pan-tilt platforms, rescue/emergency landing systems. In addition to being a partner at Advanced Autonomous Solutions Fund, Vadim is also Chairman of the Board at UAVOS. He has more than 15 years experience as a board member, investor and executive leader with highly disruptive technology companies. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Vadim talks about Advanced Autonomous Solutions Fund, UAVOS and he provides an investor's perspective into the UAV market and the future of autonomous operations.

Do Autonomous Drones pose ethical questions? Jenn Player is Director of Regulatory Affairs at Skydio, the leading American drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight. The company leverages breakthrough AI to create the world's most intelligent flying machines for use by consumers, enterprises, and government customers. Founded in 2014, Skydio is made up of leading experts in AI, robotics, cameras, and electric vehicles from top companies, research labs, and universities from around the world. Skydio designs, assembles, and supports its products in the U.S. to offer the highest standards of supply chain and manufacturing security. At Skydio, Jenn collaborates with customers, regulators, and standards development organizations to unlock safe and effective autonomous and docked drone operations. Before joining Skydio, Jenn spearheaded an industry-leading regulatory program under the FAA's Pathfinder Program, capturing a number of breakthrough BVLOS approvals. She has also played a key role supporting other leading industry programs in infrastructure inspection and package delivery. Autonomous drones offer great promise, but there are also considerations. In many cases it boils down to how innovative decision-making and learning capability should be vested to an autonomous vehicle and for what purpose? In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Jenn talks about Skydio and the need to consider ethical implications of using autonomous unmanned systems.

How Does Drone Technology Deliver Value? For that question, we head to Virgina Beach to talk with Tom Walker, founder and CEO of DroneUp. DroneUp is the leading complete drone services provider, transforming businesses and government organizations with drone technology solutions. A short-list of DroneUp's diverse suite of products includes flight services, data analysis, training and drone delivery Recognized as a UAS industry pioneer with patented mobile app technology and a commitment to research and development, DroneUp fuels invention and application across private and public sectors. With its people, services, and innovative solutions, the company delivers on operational challenges with efficiency, reliability, and safety. Tom is a former military officer, and is a recognized pioneer in military and government digital reform. He managed the extensive programming and web enablement of computer systems to support both U.S. and International Special Forces. He has also served as an advisor to the White House on innovative technologies and their impact on the emerging workforce. The data from his research, combined with his military search and rescue experience, led to the creation of DroneUp. Since starting DroneUp in 2016, the company has continued to innovate and expand it's portfolio of drone service operations, to where today it is a complete drone services provider. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Tom talks about DroneUp's drone delivery service for Walmart and how companies can add value through UAS innovation. We'll also talk about Xponential 2022 scheduled for April 25-28, where Tom will be delivering a keynote address.

What's involved in performing validation and testing of BVLOS and Safety protocols? For that question, we turn to Andy Thurling, Chief Technology Officer of the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance. NUAIR, as its commonly known, is a New York-based nonprofit with a mission to safely integrate uncrewed aircraft systems into the national airspace, enabling scalable, economically viable commercial drone operations. NUAIR manages operations of the FAA-designated New York UAS Test Site at Griffiss International Airport, Rome, NY on behalf of Oneida County and is responsible for the advancement of New York's 50-mile UAS Corridor between Rome and Syracuse, NY. Andy leads technical research on current and future UAS technologies. He also evaluates potential paths to implementation, industry standards for approval by regulators, and test techniques to verify compliance. Prior to NUAIR, Andy was Director of Product Safety and Mission Assurance at AeroVironment where he led airworthiness, certification, and airspace access strategic efforts. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Andy talks about NUAIR, the current efforts in testing BVLOS protecols, and validation of safety standards for UAS systems. We also talk about this year's Xponential 2022 conference in Orlando and why we should all attend.

What is the best way to get your message out? Dawn Zoldi is a retired Colonel from the United States Air Force. She is also a licensed attorney and the founder and CEO of P3 Tech Consulting. P3 Tech Consulting connects people who have a passion for advanced tech platforms with the plans, programs, policies and information they need to succeed. Prior to starting P3 Tech Consulting, Dawn spent nearly 25 years of active duty as a member of the Judge Advocate General's Corps as a military attorney, where she performed a myriad of duties at various command echelons in the continental U.S. and deployed forward. Dawn holds a number of distinctions. She is an internationally recognized expert on unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility law and policy, listed in the eVTOL Insights 2022 Powerbook, one of the Top Women in Aerospace and Aviation to Follow on LinkedIn 2021 and a recipient of the Woman to Watch in UAS Leadership Award 2019. Her endeavors in the drone law, regulatory and policy arena include roles as a consultant for multiple aerospace companies, aerospace and defense contributor to Forbes.com, legal columnist for Inside Unmanned Systems and Inside GNSS magazines, guest contributor to several other publications, host the popular weekly Dawn of Drones podcast and conference planner. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Dawn talks about P3 Tech Consulting and the importance of connecting with others through various ways to get your message out. We also talk about this year's Xponential 2022 conference in Orlando and why we should all attend.

How is Texas Advancing Urban Air Mobility? Michael Hill is CEO and Founder of Cumulus Technologies, a drone technology company based in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area. Michael is one of the top subject matter experts in the areas of Advanced Air Mobility and their integration on the land, in the air and at sea. He is a Part 107 Pilot with over 1,980 hours of flight time, a consultant helping companies use Drones and Ai to create safer, more efficient working environments and has helped NASA and the FAA develop Unmanned Traffic Management protocols for our National Airspace. In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed SB 763 – which established a new committee charged with identifying potential changes in state regulations needed to facilitate the development of Urban Air Mobility operations and infrastructure in Texas. The committee must report its finding and recommendations Texas Transportation Commission and legislature by Sept. 1, 2022. Michael is a member of the Texas Urban Air Mobility Advisory Committee and has been working with other committee members, industry leaders and the Texas legislature in implementing SB 763. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Michael talks about SB 763 and the Urban Air Mobility Advisory Committee, the efforts by the State of Texas and the North Central Texas Council of Governments to promote urban air mobility, and how Texas is positioning itself to be a leader in advance air mobility systems.