Program

Digital Program Now Available

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

*All times listed are EST.

0700 – Registration opens

0900 – Welcome and Opening Keynote

Brian Wynne, President & CEO, AUVSI
David Boulter, Associate Administrator (A) for Aviation Safety, Federal Aviation Administration

0930 – Opening Plenary: BVLOS Operations: From the Present to the Future

There are different paths to obtaining approval to operate BVLOS, including recent developments regarding Part 107 waivers and 44807 exemptions. Our panel of FAA experts and BEYOND lead participants will discuss how to accomplish BVLOS operations, their conditions and limitations, and upcoming plans.

Brandon Roberts, Executive Director, Office of Rulemaking, Federal Aviation Administration
Eric Bergesen, Director of Operations, UPS Flight Forward
Joe Block, Senior Engineer, Advanced Aviation, Crown Consulting, Inc.
Jessica Brightman (formerly Orquina), Manager, Implementation Branch, UAS Integration Office, Federal Aviation Administration
Derek Hufty, Manager, Special Programs Section, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration

1030 – Break

1045 – Concurrent Sessions

Near-Term Integration Needs: An FAA Perspective
One of the most exciting challenges facing the aerospace industry today is how the current airspace management system will grow into a future-state to support a global, harmonized, digital architecture that safely integrates all new entrants into the airspace alongside legacy aviation. Join FAA and DOT leaders as they discuss what policies, processes, and technology are needed in the next 3 – 5 years to allow for a scalable, safe, and secure drone eco-system.

Martha Christie, Director (A), Safety & Integration Division, UAS Integration Office, Federal Aviation Administration
Ryan Berry, UAS Security Division Manager, Federal Aviation Administration
Wendy O’Connor, Director, Operations Planning & Integration, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration
Praveen Raju, Program Manager, Federal Aviation Administration
Jimmy Smith, Representative for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)
Cross-Pollination: The International Approach to BVLOS Operations
This panel discussion will cover global developments in implementing BVLOS operations. Panelists will share details on their respective BVLOS operations-related developments, challenges and opportunities, and how we can better harmonize aircraft certification and operational approval standards to allow for greater acceptance and transferability [of aircraft, operations and allow certifications] across multiple nations for similar BVLOS operations. Discussions will include case studies on rules implementation and approval processes.

Laurence Wildgoose, Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs, and Environment, Federal Aviation Administration
Ryan Coates, Director, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), Transport Canada, Civil Aviation
Nicolas Marcou, UAS Programme Manager, Direction Générale de l'aviation Civile
Andrew Mutabaruka, Manager Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration and Regulation & SSP Coordinator, Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority
Giovanni Diantonio, Director of the Innovation Technology Department at Enac, Italian Civil Aviation Authority
Tan Kah Han, Senior Director and Chief Technology Officer, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
What You Need to Know about SMS Workshop
Join our panel of experts for a better understanding of Safety Management System (SMS) implementation. Learn what it is, why it matters, and how it can help your business use drones more effectively. 

Eric Bergesen, Director of Operations, UPS Flight Forward
Derek Hufty, Manager, Special Programs Section, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration
Jay Kinser, Manager, Strategic Programs Branch, UAS Integration Office, Federal Aviation Administration

1145 – Keynote Lunch: Dawn of a New Era: UTM and the NAS

We are at the dawn of the era of advanced aviation, and while we don’t how our airspace system and the aviation ecosystem will evolve, it is likely to be shaped by technological advancements, new consumer demands, and regulatory changes. Our panelists will discuss how air traffic management systems and technologies need to adapt to accommodate these new operations.

Jessica Brightman (formerly Orquina), Manager, Implementation Branch, UAS Integration Office, Federal Aviation Administration
Steve Bradford, Chief Scientific & Technical Advisor, Office of NextGen, Federal Aviation Administration
Katrina Hall, Deputy Chief Operating Officer for National Airspace System Programs and Support, Federal Aviation Administration
Parimal Kopardekar, Director, NASA Aeronautics Research Institute, NASA
Jeffrey Vincent, Executive Director, UAS Integration Office, Federal Aviation Administration

1300 – Concurrent Sessions

Drone Security and the NAS: Where We Are, Where We’re Going
This panel of security professionals will highlight today’s drone security issues with an eye to addressing future issues and challenges. Touching on the hottest topics – on-airport detection and mitigation, remote ID, and more – panelists will discuss the paths forward for securely introducing new products and technologies into the NAS.

Tonya Coultas, Deputy Associate Administrator for Security & HazMat Safety, Federal Aviation Administration
Tom Adams, Counter-UAS Consultant, Trainer, and Service Provider, AeroVigilance
Trish Hiatt, Deputy Director, Airport Safety & Standards Directorate, Office of Airports, Federal Aviation Administration
John Picciano, Remote ID Program Lead, Federal Aviation Administration
Abby Smith, Executive Director, Office of UAS and Emerging Entrants Security, Federal Aviation Administration
On the Cutting Edge: Cross-Cutting Research in Emerging Drone Operations
The panel will highlight research contributions to advancements in drone integration as well as cross-cutting, near-term research priorities to inform policy decisions, safety assessments, rules, and standards. They will also offer a strategic outlook for research drivers for expected operations in the mid-term and far-term.

Kerin Olson, Manager, Research Strategy, Planning, & Communications Branch, UAS Integration Office, Federal Aviation Administration
Ryan Berry, UAS Security Division Manager, Federal Aviation Administration
Dipasis Bhadra, Economist, Federal Aviation Administration
Praveen Raju, Program Manager, Federal Aviation Administration
Art Branch, Principal Systems Engineer, MITRE
What You Need to Know About COAs, Waivers, LAANC, and FAADroneZone
What's the best way to get authorization to operate in the NAS? COAs/Waivers? LAANC? FAADroneZone? Presenters will discuss when to use one system over another and core differences of each system.

Kerry Fleming, Branch Manager, System Operations Support Center, Federal Aviation Administration
Mike Minnix, Aviation Safety Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration
John Page, Air Traffic Control Specialist, UAS Policy Team, Federal Aviation Administration
Marcy Wolf, LAANC Project Manager, Federal Aviation Administration

1400 - Break

1415 – Concurrent Sessions

Coming Soon! Remote ID Operational Compliance. Ready?
Remote ID is an essential building block for more complex drone operations. With the operational compliance date just around the corner, our panel will discuss how Remote ID will help address safety and security issues, anticipated challenges, and the status of manufacturing and standards bodies efforts, and other issues.

Joe Morra, Federal Aviation Administration
Scott Harris, Special Agent, Federal Aviation Administration
John Picciano, Remote ID Program Lead, Federal Aviation Administration
Ben Walsh, Aerospace Engineer, Federal Aviation Administration
Charles Werner, Director / Founder, DroneResponders
By the Numbers: Using Data to Advance Drone Integration
As the FAA modernizes the National Airspace System to incorporate drones and AAM, vast amounts of data will be needed to enable future airspace technologies, such as command & control and detect & avoid. How do we build a Data Trust Framework that mitigates and protects national security concerns while enabling the safe development and deployment of these innovative technologies?

Corbin Jones, Manager, UAS BEYOND Program, UAS Integration Office, Federal Aviation Administration
Steve Bradford, Chief Scientific & Technical Advisor, Office of NextGen, Federal Aviation Administration
Rebecca Guy, Vice President, Program Management Office, Federal Aviation Administration
Parimal Kopardekar, Director, NASA Aeronautics Research Institute, NASA
Sarasina Tuchen, Senior Scientist, Highly Automated Systems Safety (DOT)
Building Relationships with State, Local, and Tribal Stakeholders Workshop
Building relationships with state, local, and tribal governments is critical to enabling and expanding drone operations. Join professionals with real-world experience as they share lessons learned and best practices that can help your drone operations thrive and grow.

Erik Amend, Regional Administrator, Great Lakes Region, Federal Aviation Administration
Trevor Woods, Executive Director, Northern Plains UAS Test Site
Col. Joseph Zeis, Jr., Aerospace and Defense Advisor, Office of the Ohio Governor

1515 - Networking Break

1545 – Concurrent Sessions

The Technical Ingredients for Wide-scale BVLOS Operations
With a more standardized path towards BVLOS operations in development, the gap to achieving wide-scale operations is closing. Several elements will contribute to successful integration and operationalization; therefore, the discussion will delve into the role of enabling technologies, design and testing, multi-vehicle control solutions, autonomy and UTM implementation – all required for the final leap.

Michael Healander, President & CEO at Airspace Link, Inc.
Dallas Brooks, Aviation Regulatory Lead, Wing
John Slaughter, Director, UAS Research and Operations Center, University of Maryland
John Peterson, Executive Director Aviation, Iridium
Jessica Brightman (formerly Orquina), Manager, Implementation Branch, UAS Integration Office, Federal Aviation Administration
Drones and Type Certification: The FAA Perspective
This panel of FAA experts will provide an overview of the certification process for drones, important updates, and strategic direction for the Agency.

Martha Christie, Director (A), Safety & Integration Division, UAS Integration Office, Federal Aviation Administration
Rachel Carlstrom, Manager, Flight Standards, Safety Standards, Federal Aviation Administration
Joe Morra, Federal Aviation Administration
David Senzig, Physical Scientist, Federal Aviation Administration
Caspar Wang, Policy Manager for Emerging Aircraft & Small Airplanes (Acting), Federal Aviation Administration
What You Need to Know About Exemptions Workshop
An exemption under 14 CFR Part 11 is one of the main pathways to enabling certain drone operations. Learn more about the FAA’s exemptions program, including the information required in the submission, how to submit a petition for exemption, and updates to the program.

Jody Hemler, Aviation Safety Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration
Sean O’Tormey, Team Lead, Program Analyst, Part 11 Petitions Branch, Office of Rulemaking, Federal Aviation Administration

1645 – Conclusion of Day 1 programming

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

0900 – Morning Remarks

Jennifer Audette, AUS-410 Acting Manager, Federal Aviation Administration

0915 – Plenary: Autonomous Systems and Social Acceptance

As more and more vehicles incorporate automated and autonomous systems to ease operator burden, manufacturers of these systems must consider the ethics of these new features. This panel will consider the impact of autonomy and artificial intelligence, human/machine interaction, and strategies for gaining public trust in autonomous systems.

Deb Sanning, Deputy Regional Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration
Brendan Groves, Vice President, Regulatory and Policy Affairs, Skydio
Taylor Lochrane, Deputy Director for Science and Technology / Chief Scientist, Highly Automated Systems Safety (DOT)
Lauren Haertlein, Aviation Regulatory Counsel, Zipline
Margaret Nagle, Head of Policy, Regulatory and Community Affairs, Wing

1015 – Break

1030 – Concurrent Sessions

Commercial Applications and Challenges – Navigating Real-World Issues
As technology advances and the number and size of commercial drones increase, commercial drone operations face evolving challenges. Whether it's delivery, infrastructure inspection, or another use, drone operators continually face new issues: flying higher, longer, and without visual observers. Our panel will explore traditional and alternative solutions to enable broader, scalable drone applications.

Joe Morra, Federal Aviation Administration
Derek Hufty, Manager, Special Programs Section, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration
Heidi Williams, Senior Director, Air Traffic Services & Infrastructure, National Business Aviation Association
Basil Yap, President, AeroX
Lisa Ellman,  Chair of the UAS practice, Hogan Lovells
Critical Infrastructure Security
The rapid proliferation of UAS technology raises concerns regarding critical infrastructure security and potential cybersecurity risks. This panel aims to explore both cybersecurity vulnerabilities and emerging threats to critical infrastructure from drones. Experts will evaluate the role of vulnerability assessments and counter-UAS systems in mitigating those risks. Finally, this panel will emphasize the need for collaboration among government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, technology providers, counter-UAS and cybersecurity experts to develop comprehensive strategies for protecting critical infrastructure against drone-related threats. Participants will address the legal and regulatory challenges involved in implementing counter-UAS systems. This includes privacy concerns, airspace regulations, and the collaboration between industry stakeholders, government entities, and law enforcement agencies to ensure an effective and legally compliant security framework.

Michael Robbins, Chief Advocacy Officer, AUVSI
Jared Salazar, Managing Director, Deloitte
Brent Cotton, Director, C-UAS PMO, United States Department of Homeland Security
Eric Schwartz, Sr. Manager, Technology & Innovation, Florida Power & Light Company
Abigail Smith, Executive Director (A), UAS Security, Federal Aviation Administration
Developing the Drone Workforce of Tomorrow Workshop
Join this panel discussion to learn about the successes that have resulted from drone programs at colleges, universities, and technical schools and how those successes can benefit your business and community.

Wing Cheung, Professor, Palomar College
Todd Colten, Senior Director of Program Management, Sentera
Diana Robinson, Project Manager, Federal Aviation Administration

PROGRAM