Senior Pilot / Owner at ProAerial Media, LLC (2019-01 – Present)
Logged 600+ hours of commercial UAS flight time under FAA Part 107, planning and executing field missions, inspections, mapping projects, demonstrations, and customer-facing flights for government and commercial clients including the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Ford Motor Company, Golf Digest, and UFC.
- Planned and led advanced UAS missions involving mapping, inspection, thermal data collection, telecom tower scans, terrain mapping, 3D data capture, 360° media, and visual documentation, aligning mission profiles with client CONOPS, site constraints, safety requirements, and deliverable expectations.
- Supported advanced autonomous and remote-executed UAS operations in automotive logistics environments, including dock-based launch/recovery workflows, automated route execution, on-site RPIC oversight, airspace review, site readiness checks, troubleshooting, manual fallback planning, and operational documentation.
- Developed practical UAS safety and operations tools including preflight risk assessment workflows, operational risk matrix logic, incident reporting criteria, pilot readiness checks, yard/site reference cards, and post-flight reporting processes.
- Reviewed field data for completeness, coverage, image quality, accuracy, upload readiness, and alignment with client deliverable requirements before processing or client delivery.
- Used RTK-enabled workflows and NTRIP network connectivity to support mapping, inspection, and reality-capture missions, with experience across DroneDeploy, Pix4D, DJI Pilot 2, DJI FlightHub, and advanced airspace authorization processes.
- Supported pilot and vendor coordination for distributed UAS operations, including recruiting outreach, intake form development, candidate screening, multi-round interviews, readiness evaluation, scheduling, and contractor/vendor management.
- Designed and developed Turris CTRL, a field-built UAS operations and safety-readiness platform connecting FRAT logic, pilot recency, aircraft readiness, firmware status, incident reporting, post-flight closeout, site documentation, equipment records, and multi-site dashboard visibility to support safer, more repeatable UAS program execution.
- Authored SOPs, project documentation, after-action summaries, and client-facing operational guidance to capture lessons learned, improve repeatability, and support safer multi-site UAS deployment.
- Navigated complex and restricted airspace, including LAANC, waivers, geo-zones, and site-specific operating constraints, while maintaining adherence to FAA regulations, safety checklists, and client procedures.
Founder & Lead Instructor at 107ProPilot Academy (2022-01 – Present)
Founded and operate a UAS training academy and companion 107ProPilot mobile app with 500+ downloads/subscribers.
- Design and deliver Part 107 ground school, flight fundamentals, and field operations training, combining classroom instruction, remote learning, and hands-on OJT.
- Develop curricula, lesson plans, quizzes, video lessons, and LMS materials that translate FAA regulations, airspace, weather, safety, and mission planning concepts into clear, practical instruction.
- Mentor aspiring remote pilots through exam preparation, scenario-based training, debriefs, and operational decision-making exercises focused on real-world risk management.
Consultant: Lead Pilot & Training Instructor at DoorDash Air (2025-01 – 2025-06)
Supported an emerging advanced UAS delivery program as Senior Pilot and Field Training Instructor, leading a team of five pilots through day-to-day operations, test flights, training events, and field execution.
- Developed operational, safety, training, and incident-response SOPs compliant with FAA Part 107 operations and supportive of future Part 135 readiness.
- Helped design and stand up a controlled-access UAS test facility, including flight areas, safety zones, visitor procedures, operational workflows, and documentation practices for stakeholders and internal teams.
- Conducted on-site demonstrations and internal training events for cross-functional teams, translating technical flight activity, safety considerations, and operational findings into clear insights for leadership.
- Documented test results, lessons learned, field observations, and pilot feedback to support program improvement, operational refinement, and future regulatory planning.
Consultant: Director, U.S. Flight Operations at Volateq GmbH (2024-07 – 2024-12)
Acted as U.S. flight operations and regulatory SME for large-scale solar facility inspections, supporting safe and compliant operations under FAA Part 107 and site-specific requirements.
- Supported industrial utility inspection workflows, including thermal data collection, mission planning, safety documentation, client communication, and post-flight reporting for large-scale solar assets.
- Coordinated with international leadership and U.S. clients to plan and support field operations, connecting technical capabilities, regulatory requirements, and customer needs.
- Delivered marketing and business development support as the sole U.S. team member, preparing presentations and proposals that translated UAS inspection capabilities into client-facing value.
Flight Test Operator / RPIC at Zipline International (2023-01 – 2024-12)
Conducted flight test and field operations for high-autonomy medical and product drone delivery systems operating under Parts 107, 135, and 91.
- Assembled, launched, operated, and recovered UAS fleets while executing scripted test plans, data collection, preflight checks, launch/recovery procedures, and safety protocols supporting advanced autonomous flight operations.
- Participated in post-mission debriefs and after-action reviews, contributing feedback that improved procedures, checklists, documentation, and operational consistency.
- Collaborated with engineering and product teams by documenting field observations, anomalies, system behavior, and operational edge cases to support system improvements.
