The Drones Operators Academy

The Drones Operators Academy

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Growing use in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), both in the military and the civilian fields, has created a need for skilled people to operate these vehicles for various purposes. The good news is that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has confirmed plans to open a UAV Training Academy in North Dakota. Linden P. Blue, CEO, GA-ASI, says that the mission of the GA-ASI Training Academy is to increase the overall capacity for flight crew training on these aircraft systems as well as address the pilot shortage.

The academy will offer multiple courses per year using U.S. Government-approved curricula, with the potential of training up to 60 flight crews per year. In addition to training, the Academy also may conduct UAV airspace integration systems testing. Frank W. Pace, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI, said: “We selected North Dakota as the site for our new Training Academy because it offered an unequaled opportunity to support both our U. S. Air Force customer and international customers. Uncongested skies, an optimal training range, and strong support for continued UAV development from local, state, and federal government representatives.”

Over the last two decades, GA-ASI has trained hundreds of company and customer aircrews at its Gray Butte and El Mirage Flight Operations Facilities near Palmdale, California. Opening the North Dakota Training Academy will provide an additional resource to meet growing worldwide demand for UAV training operations, as well airspace integration testing. Furthermore, the company’s vehicles are well-known for being highly reliable and have been integrated seamlessly into some of the most complex operational airspace in U.S. border patrol and overseas military operations. Finally, to ensure seamless integration into the North Dakota skies, the company is working alongside the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. air force.

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