There are not many that can claim and deliver unity and simplicity in aviation operations… except Aloft. Like many other things in the legacy of aviation, NUAIR’s success comes from a system of systems. A team of industry-leading products and solutions in their own right, the NUAIR Alliance comes together to enable the NUAIR Center of Excellence – headquarters of Advanced Air Mobility in Central New York and influencing the Next generation of aviation around the globe.  Aloft  offers the Alliance an industry-leading platform that unifies the mission, the aircraft, and the data to enable safe and reliable drone use – removing complexity and simplifying operations. In this blog, we’ve invited the team to introduce themselves…   Can you explain what  Aloft  does as if we knew nothing about it or the aviation market? Aloft specializes in airspace and drone fleet management software. Imagine you have a bunch of drones flying around doing different tasks like monitoring crops, inspecting buildings, or delivering packages. Aloft’s software helps keep track of all those drones, making sure they’re where they’re supposed to be, doing what they’re supposed to do, and coming back safely. It’s like air traffic control but for drones, helping businesses and governments use drones more efficiently and safely.   What is the history of  Aloft  and how did the organization get started in this space? Aloft was founded in 2015 by Josh Ziering and Jon Hegranes. Fueled by their passion for the intersection of model aircraft and technology, they envisioned the impending aviation revolution as a remarkable opportunity to shape the future of flight. Their belief in a future where drones and electrified aircraft would democratize airspace and revolutionize transportation drove them to establish Aloft. They aimed to usher in an era where the airspace could be utilized by individuals, businesses, and governments in innovative ways, similar to how the internet transformed various industries. With this vision, Aloft embarked on a journey to develop cutting-edge solutions that would empower stakeholders to leverage the skies in unprecedented ways.   What are three ways that  Aloft  changes the landscape of our industry? Airspace Access : Aloft was in the first group of companies to become an FAA-approved USS in 2018, and we’ve grown to power the vast majority of all airspace authorizations. Providing airspace awareness and access is fundamental to flight, and Aloft is in its own tier of opening the airspace. Enhanced Efficiency : We’re fortunate to work with the largest and most advanced drone programs in the world, and Aloft’s drone fleet management software streamlines operations by optimizing flight routes, scheduling tasks, and automating processes and reporting. This efficiency enables businesses to accomplish tasks more quickly and to scale more cost-effectively. Improved Safety : By providing real-time airspace monitoring and control capabilities, Aloft’s solution enhances safety in drone operations. It helps prevent accidents, mitigates risks, and ensures compliance with regulations, thereby fostering a safer environment for both drone operators and the public.   What makes  Aloft  different from other providers in the market? Our team and product/solution stand out in the market due to several key factors: Expertise and Experience: Our team consists of industry veterans with deep expertise in aviation, drone technology, and software development. We bring years of experience and a proven track record of success to the table, enabling us to understand and address the unique challenges and opportunities in the industry. Comprehensive Solution: Unlike many other offerings in the market that focus on specific aspects of drone operations, our product/solution provides a comprehensive suite of tools for end-to-end drone fleet management — combined with integrated airspace management as an FAA-approved USS. From mission planning and execution to real-time monitoring and analytics, we offer everything businesses need to effectively manage their drone operations from a single platform. Flexibility and Customization: We understand that every business is different, with unique goals, workflows, and requirements. That’s why we’ve designed our platform to be highly flexible and customizable, allowing our customers to tailor it to their specific needs and integrate it seamlessly into their existing workflows and systems, regardless of industry, aircraft, or use case. Future-Proof Technology: We are committed to staying ahead of the curve and embracing emerging technologies and industry trends. Our platform is built on a foundation of scalable and modular architecture, ensuring that it can easily adapt to future innovations and regulatory changes, keeping our customers ahead of the curve and future-proofing their investments. Customer-Centric Approach: Above all, we are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and support. We work closely with our customers to understand their needs and challenges, and we are committed to delivering solutions that not only meet but exceed their expectations. Our focus on building long-term partnerships and delivering tangible value sets us apart and makes us the preferred choice for businesses looking to unlock the full potential of drone technology.   What is the biggest takeaway you want people reading this to know about  Aloft ? Our biggest takeaway is our commitment to continual innovation. As drone technologies evolve, regulations change, and standards mature, we understand that our customers and partners aren’t just choosing the best solution for today, but more importantly, they are selecting a platform that will adapt and evolve with the industry’s needs in the years to come. At Aloft, we pride ourselves on not only delivering cutting-edge solutions today but also ensuring that our platform remains at the forefront of advancements, ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. We strive to be the trusted partner that our customers and partners can rely on as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of drone technology and airspace management.   To learn more about the NUAIR Alliance and never miss a beat on the latest news, follow us on Social Media and  Subscribe to our email list !

There is a gap that exists in the aviation industry, and unless we find a way to bridge it, the  forecasted $50B Advanced Air Mobility market  will never be realized. This past week, members of the NUAIR team were in Geneva, Switzerland discussing international air traffic management at  CANSO’s  Airspace World 2024. Despite being several thousand miles away from home, the challenges and difficulties that we discovered here were quite similar to what is felt in the United States. How does current aviation deal with this next generation of aircraft, pilots, and operations? What needs to happen to realize the full potential of this nascent market? Who needs to be engaged to ensure change on a global scale? How do you reconcile uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and next generation aircraft sharing airspace with commercial and general aviation? At a show that historically focuses on traditional ATM, new players are entering the exhibit hall and session panels are discussing UTM, eVTOLs, and new digital and physical infrastructure needs. Three things dominated the conversation: For any progress in AAM integration to be sustainable, there needs to be international cross-border collaboration. A set of harmonized standards needs to be agreed upon and adhered to – rather than a singular governing body. Information sharing is different to data sharing. Traditional ATM understands how this works, but the digitization of uncrewed data has yet to be fully understood. Now, the question also comes in: how do uncrewed aerial systems (UAS or drones) enter into the AAM field – or do they? In the United States drones are being flown all over, but as we commercialize and scale operations, where do they fit in? NUAIR has over a decade of experience working with UAS as well as understanding and collaborating with regulatory bodies at home and abroad. In recent years, NUAIR has anticipated the closing distance between drones and traditional aviation. Linking the two together, NUAIR curated a stack of technology and innovation partners – the NUAIR Alliance – to look at AAM and ways to address this gap (rather than put all the details here, you can  learn more about the Alliance through our ongoing blog series ). The team witnessed this year’s Airspace World as  Year 0 for AAM airspace integration  and at the conference, the players were ready –  Joby ,  Lilium ,  EVE ,  NATS ,  NUAIR ,  NASA , and more were discussed regularly in panels; international regulators were cluing in –  ICAO ,  EASA , and others were listening and commenting on how to address needs; and the world confirmed it wants to see what is coming next. However, one thing is certain… as the clock continues to tick down on stakeholder returns and public patience, action needs to be taken soon to bridge UTM with traditional aviation into a truly integrated world of Advanced Air Mobility. To learn more about NUAIR and never miss a beat on the latest news, follow us on Social Media and  Subscribe to our email list !

Easily one of the forefront airport authorities embracing and benefiting from innovation, the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority has not only incorporated the Next generation of aviation recently, but also held a long history of daily operations with all kinds of manned and uncrewed aircraft. Like many other things in the legacy of aviation, NUAIR’s success comes from a system of systems. A team of industry-leading products and solutions in their own right, the NUAIR Alliance comes together to enable the NUAIR Center of Excellence – headquarters of Advanced Air Mobility in Central New York and influencing the Next generation of aviation around the globe. Not only hosting the Center of Excellence in their state-of-the-art airport, the  Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA)  is leading the way with innovation boasting fully integrated operations with commercial and private aircraft, military aircraft, and uncrewed aerial systems. In this blog, we’ve invited the team to introduce themselves…   Can you explain what  SRAA  does as if we knew nothing about it or the aviation market? The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) is the airport sponsor – or operator – of Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR). As such, the SRAA serves Upstate New York and beyond, providing a safe, convenient, seamless passenger experience while enhancing economic opportunity, development, and growth in the region.   What is the history of  SRAA  and how did the organization get started in this space? The SRAA was established by enabling legislation in 2011. In 2014, the official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operating certificate was transferred from the City of Syracuse to the SRAA, making the SRAA the official airport sponsor of SYR.   What are three ways that  SRAA  changes the landscape of our industry? First commercial service airport in the nation to have unescorted Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) integrated into normal commercial aircraft operations (MQ9 Reapers from the 174th). It is now commonplace for commercial pilots to taxi and hold as an MQ-9 Reaper prepares for takeoff just ahead of them! One of the first airports in the nation to include Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), RPAs, and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) concerns in its FAA-mandated Airport Master Plan. This 20-year vision of how an airport needs to develop to meet the forecasted demand of the region includes development alternatives to accommodate AAM needs. Hosted the Department of Transportation’s AAM Interagency Working Group in October 2023 to foster coordination and collaboration to safely, securely, and efficiently introduce rapidly evolving AAM technology into the commercial service airport environment.   What makes  SRAA  different from other airport authorities in the market? The SRAA thinks differently about airport management, leaning into new technologies and processes to better serve the traveling public of Upstate New York and beyond. Our region is primed for growth and the SRAA remains committed to operating and developing SYR to meet the demands of this prosperous future!   What is the biggest takeaway you want people reading this to know about  SRAA ? Our Vision is to be recognized as a best-in-class airport elevating the customer experience and exceeding stakeholder expectations, while using innovative technology and optimizing the economic prosperity of the region we serve.   To learn more about the NUAIR Alliance and never miss a beat on the latest news, follow us on Social Media and  Subscribe to our email list !

On this episode of Talk CNY, Syracuse Hancock International Airport Executive Director Jason Terreri and NUAIR President and CEO Ken Stewart join Katie Zilcosky to talk about their new partnership and growing innovation in the air.

Not only was 2023 the busiest year for Syracuse Hancock International Airport, but it was also the year that NUAIR moved in and established the Center of Excellence for AAM.

While semiconductors are the hot new thing in Central New York’s economy, Ken Stewart has the drone economy taking flight there too.

Increasing the commercial BVLOS area in New York by 300%, NUAIR receives an FAA civil waiver for 240 square miles. SYRACUSE, NY – 14 December 2024 – NUAIR® announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted a Part 107 waiver enabling remote, autonomous beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations throughout a 240 square mile airspace in upstate New York, increasing the commercial BVLOS area in New York by more than 3x or 300%. To capstone a year of growth and development, NUAIR expanded its operations earlier in 2023 creating the NUAIR Center of Excellence headquarters at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. The acceptance of this 240 square mile waiver – as well as the Special Flight Operations Certificate approval for Canadian operations in 2023 – gives NUAIR the autonomy to continue offering white glove uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) testing services in the state of New York and beyond. “NUAIR has a commitment to the people of New York to integrate and innovate aviation safely and sustainably in a way that benefits the entire state,” said NUAIR President and CEO, Ken Stewart. “NUAIR’s decade of experience, new opportunity to fully incorporate with daily airport operations, and now this Civil BVLOS Waiver position NUAIR for maximum influence on the traditional and uncrewed aviation industries.” NUAIR’s Center of Excellence at SYR presents the full realization of the NUAIR Alliance, which includes key industry players such as ResilienX, TruWeather Solutions, Aloft, Hidden Level, SRAA, and UFA. This Civil BVLOS Waiver will allow for broader testing of UAS opportunities and pave the way for scalable and replicable results across the globe.   “This BVLOS waiver from the FAA is an important step in proving Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft can safely integrate into the National Airspace System,” said Jason Terreri, Executive Director of Syracuse Regional Airport Authority . “Testing real-world applications of UAS and AAM right here in Central New York showcases the leadership position our region has taken in these efforts.” “We are thrilled to see years of work come to fruition with this waiver,” said Andrew Carter, CTO of ResilienX . “As a startup based in Syracuse, this opens up the aperture from the testing this region is so well known for to progress to the routine commercial operations and use cases that this industry needs to scale. Kudos to the NUAIR team for leading the charge for the region and creating a rising tide effect!” “TruWeather is proud of our association with NUAIR and their groundbreaking achievement in expanding Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight in Central New York,” said Don Berchoff, CEO of TruWeather . “The expansion of the BVLOS airspace provides a great opportunity for users to conduct longer flight tests and collect aircraft performance data in a variety of microclimates, while knowing they have access to the most advanced drone weather services to manage flight risk.” “UFA is pleased to be providing our ATTower Air Traffic Simulator to support the NUAIR Alliance in modeling and visualizing the integration of UAS and AAM into the daily operations of Syracuse Hancock International Airport,” said David Wolff, CEO of UFA, Inc. “We look forward to expanding the use of simulation as the NUAIR Alliance continues testing new procedures, best practices, and UTM concepts.”   To find out more about how NUAIR is defining, enabling, and integrating the future of traditional and uncrewed aviation, visit us at NUAIR.org .   ### About NUAIR® NUAIR® defines, integrates, and enables the future of traditional and uncrewed aviation, so commercial and government organizations can excel at what is Next. With practical guidance from inception to launch, and launch to expansion, NUAIR navigates and defines complex regulations and drives concrete, repeatable results for success that scales. And at the center of a connected ecosystem in aviation technology, NUAIR accelerates Advanced Air Mobility from theory to reality. NUAIR . Where Next Takes Flight.   Media Contact: Megan Crout | Director of Marketing mcrout@nuair.org

"The project intends to define and perform initial integration of an AAM Operations Center that is scalable, tactical and enables verification and validation..."

From selling and deploying private 5G networks for GV (Google Ventures) backed Federated Wireless to innovation in drone delivery at GE and now NUAIR. Tune in to the latest episode of Digital Doorways and learn more about the ultimate blend in engineering and executive leadership.

Over 200 federal, state and local public safety officials attend two-day event dedicated to the adoption and continued integration of drones into public safety operations. (SYRACUSE, NEW YORK) – The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services ( DHSES ) and NUAIR were proud to host the fifth annual New York State Public Safety UAS Summit last week, which drew over 200 public safety officials to the Central New York area. Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, can and are helping state agencies conduct more efficient operations. The first day of the summit was held in the auditorium of Whitesboro High School and included presentations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NUAIR, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and a public safety panel with state and local officials. Day two of the summit, hosted by NUAIR at Griffiss International Airport in Rome included 20 UAS vendors and live demonstrations showcasing the latest technologies designed specifically for public safety operations. “Public safety officials in New York are regularly using UAS for search and rescue, fire investigations, and even for damage assessments following a disaster,” said New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray. “We are going to continue working with our partner agencies and the private sector on embracing this technology so it can enhance the safety of our emergency personnel and aid in their missions moving forward.” DHSES and NUAIR have trained over 2,000 public safety officials in UAS operations at the New York State Preparedness Training Center ( SPTC ) in Oriskany. DHSES offers four UAS operations courses that educate state and local public safety officials, including first responders, on how to integrate drones into their operations: UAS Awareness, Part 107 Preparation, UAS Operations, and UAS Operations at Night. All courses are taught by a team of instructors from the SPTC, NUAIR, New York State Police, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. “ NUAIR and DHSES continue to have a strong working relationship to train and enable the use of drones in public safety operations,” said NUAIR CEO Ken Stewart. “It’s great to see our annual public safety summit grow each year and NUAIR helping to be the conduit between state agencies and the UAS industry.” New York has worked hard to establish itself as the nation’s premier destination for drones and related UAS industry businesses in the Central New York and Mohawk Valley regions. Since 2016, the state has invested nearly $113 million to supercharge the industry. “This record-setting UAS public safety summit demonstrates how New York State and NUAIR, along with federal, state and local partners, are working together to both optimize industry innovation and to keep New Yorkers safe,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight. “In supporting the growth of UAS, we also support the breadth of its lifesaving potential —congratulations and thank you to all of the officials who have taken part in this year’s event.” New York’s ongoing investment in the targeted industry in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley have also led to private investment as well. In 2018, six companies, including two international firms, committed to creating opportunities in both regions following more than $6.2 million in various state support made available through the UAS Central Job Fund.   ###   About NUAIR As a trusted and credible service provider, NUAIR is ushering in the next generation of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM) solutions for the safety, societal, and economic benefit of New York State and beyond. https://nuair.org About the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) provides leadership, coordination, and support to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters and other emergencies. For more information, follow @NYSDHSES on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter) or visit dhses.ny.gov .

Transforming mobility and logistics, preserving the environment, improving living standards, and catalyzing economic development in the KSA.

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey is testing cargo drones to carry goods from New Jersey over the Hudson River to New York City - Watch the video on USA Today.