Do you think you can build best drone delivery system in the world?

If the answer is yes, then there are a million reasons why you want to listen to today’s guest. Anas Zeineddine is Diractor of Krypto Labs, a grass roots innovation hub with a unique ecosystem for funding ground-breaking early stage start-ups.  Based in Abu Dhabi, in July 2020, Krypto Labs announced its first global challenge, the Drone X Challenge 2020, aiming to transcend beyond the limits of innovation in Drone Technologies. The challenge will reward the winner an astounding $1 Million US dollars.

In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Anas talks about Krypo Labs, the Drone X Challenge 2020 and shares some perspectives on the drone industry. Joining us for a portion of the interview is Dr. Mohammed Adnan, the technical product lead at Krypto Labs.

What the status of the UTM Corridor Project?

For that question, we turn to Anthony Basile, to the Chief Operations Officer for the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc. (NUAIR), a non-profit corporation leading a coalition of New York and Massachusetts aerospace industry and academic institutions, working together to establish a site for the testing and certification of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and the training of their operators.

Antony is a retired Colonel with the Airforce. A 1977 graduate of Fordham University, Anthony spent 29 years with the 174th Fighter Wing, Syracuse, NY, serving as its commander from 2003 until 2008. While at the 174th, he accumulated 4000 hours flying the unit’s A-10 and F-16 aircraft. Anthony has logged 67 combat sorties, including 51 during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Among his numerous military awards are the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal with 4 devices.

From 2008 to until his retirement in 2010, Anthony was assigned as Chief of Staff of the New York Air National Guard. In this capacity, he served as the primary advisor to The Adjutant General in all matters dealing with the Air National Guard, both in supporting the global war on terrorism and providing federal and state disaster relief.

Following his retirement, Anthony took on the role as Airport Service Group Manager for C&S Engineers, in Syracuse from 2010 thru the end of 2013, overseeing the engineering planning, design, and construction of the firm’s 30 regional airport clients.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Anthony talks about the NUAIR Alliance, the FAA Test Site at Griffiss International Airfield and the efforts to create a 50-mile UTM corridor.

What do Public Safety Organizations Need To Know about Managing a Drone Program?

For that question, we turn to Charles Werner, chairman of the Council on Public Safety Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The Council on Public Safety Unmanned Aircraft Systems  promotes the public safety use of UAS through education, training, collaboration, best practices, FAA rule-making and general engagement. Charles has 44 years in public safety, his last ten years as fire chief of the Charlottesville, Virginia fire department. He has served on several local, state and national boards and committees. Charles recently took on the role of DroneUp’s Chief of Public Safety to ensure safe and effective Public safety UAS operations. He has received numerous awards, including 4 Virginia Governor’s Awards for Excellence, the International Fire Chiefs Presidents Award and the National Career Fire Chief of the Year.

In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Charles talks about the Council on Public Safety Unmanned Aircraft Systems, its mission and objectives and the best practices for integrating UAS into public safety initiatives.

How are consumer and professional drones evolving?

For that question, we turn to Jean-Thomas Celette, Chief Strategy & Product Officer for Parrot Business Solutions.  Parrot is the leading European drone group that offers business  solutions spanning drones, software, sensors and services. The company mainly focuses on 3 major verticals:  Agriculture; 3D mapping, surveying and  inspection; and Public Safety. In 2018, the company introduced several new consumer and professional drones. These drones are smaller, lighter and are designed to specific end-users in mind. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Jean-Thomas talks about Parrot’s new drones, how they have evolved to support different use cases and what that tells us about where the market is heading.