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 !