AUVSI Trusted Operator Program

Takes Off
Carolina Drone Academy’s President, Jeff Hemming, selected to Steering 
committee and as a brand ambassador to develop UAS training protocols 
 
ARLINGTON, Va. Jan. 9, 2018 – ​The Association for Unmanned Vehicle
Systems International (​AUVSI​) today announced the appointment of leading
industry stakeholders to serve on a steering committee and as brand
ambassadors who will develop the Trusted Operator Program (TOP) for remote
pilots and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) training organizations.

Jeff Hemming, President of Carolina Drone Academy, has been selected by the
Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) to serve on
the steering committee and as a brand ambassador to develop the Trusted
Operator Program (TOP) for remote pilots and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
training organizations.

The TOP, which AUVSI launched in November, is a UAS community initiative to

facilitate best practices, codes of conduct and professionalism for operators of
services provided by UAS, also known as drones.
“There is no other organization that can drive and support the UAS industry with
such a critical initiative than AUVSI,” said Brian Wynne, AUVSI’s president and
CEO. “As more commercial UAS pilots are trained and certified, they will join the
aviation community’s long-standing culture and commitment to safe and reliable
performance.” 
 
The initial planning for the TOP started early last year during meetings
of ​AUVSI's Remote Pilots Council​ (RPC) that were held across the country.
RPC members and other ​remote pilots licensed by the Federal Aviation
Administration​ ​discussed the need for higher levels of professionalism through
consistent training, which would allow UAS operators flying for business
purposes to further distinguish themselves in the market. 
 
In addition, RPC members said there is a lack of understanding of the legal
implications involved in contracting UAS services that do not have certified and
demonstrated safety and compliance protocols. This affects insurance costs,
perceived market value for services, customer trust and regulatory oversight. 
 
“There is an urgent need to unify the remote pilot community and remote pilot
training providers to facilitate a recognized guide for training protocols, best
practices and conduct. This will support reliability, safety, professionalism and
trust in the UAS industry,” Wynne said. “The training protocols that are
envisioned for the TOP will lead to many benefits, such as a commitment to
safety, lower insurance premiums and helping advance regulations that permit
expanded operations, including flying at night, over people, and beyond line of
sight.” 
 
The TOP steering committee will work to highlight gaps in existing training
protocols and help develop new ones. Brand ambassadors will promote the
program to stakeholders throughout the UAS community.

The Trusted Operator Program has been recognized as a critical effort for remote
pilots and training organizations to demonstrate ​RELIABILITY, SAFETY,
PROFESSIONALISM AND TRUST​ in the UAS industry. As an independent
community based association, AUVSI will give more power and credibility to its
members and increase the ability for AUVSI to advocate on their behalf with this
TOP community based initiative.
 
More ​information about the Trusted Operator P​rogram (TOP) ​is posted on
AUVSI’s website. 
 
About AUVSI
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the
world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of
unmanned systems and robotics — represents more than 7,500 members from
more than 60 countries involved in the fields of government, industry and
academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets.

For more information, visit ​AUVSI.org​.

Media Contact:
Tom McMahon
tmcmahon@auvsi.org
571.255.7786 

About Carolina Drone Academy

Carolina Drone Academy provides drone courses and hands-on pilot flight
training for law enforcement, media and advertising companies, colleges,
professional member associations, and other government agencies.

For more information and for the latest course offerings of in-person FAA 107
exam preparation classes, Driver’s ED for Drones pilot flight training, advanced
drone filming and photography, along with other specialized drone solutions, visit
CarolinaDroneAcademy.com​.
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