The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) has established its first Industry Advisory Board, a move that could significantly influence how the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) workforce is trained and credentialed as the industry braces for a regulatory shift. The board, comprising leaders from across the UAS ecosystem, held its inaugural meeting on September 2, 2026, at the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas. Its formation signals a proactive effort to bridge the gap between education and the real-world demands of an industry on the cusp of scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
The timing is critical. The Federal Aviation Administration's proposed Part 108 framework aims to create a predictable pathway for routine BVLOS flights, addressing not just piloting but also operating authorizations, aircraft airworthiness, separation from other aircraft, security, recordkeeping, third-party services, and organizational responsibilities. If finalized, Part 108 could accelerate the shift from individual flights to repeatable programs using fleets, remote operations, automation, and UAS Traffic Management services. This transition will require professionals skilled in safety management systems, aircraft maintenance, mission coordination, data management, risk assessment, and program leadership—capabilities that go far beyond traditional pilot training.
USI President and CEO Josh Olds emphasized the board's substantive role: "The strongest training programs are built with the people responsible for putting technology to work safely. This board is not ceremonial. We are asking these leaders to examine our assumptions, challenge our priorities and help us keep education aligned with what employers and operators will actually need as the industry moves into its next phase."
The advisory board will focus on four key areas: validating curriculum against current operating practice, identifying emerging job roles and skill gaps, strengthening the connection among education, credentials, and employer expectations, and maintaining an aviation-grade focus on safety as technology and regulation evolve. USI will use the board's feedback to evaluate program evolution and identify where new learning pathways are needed, while retaining final responsibility for curriculum and certification decisions.
The inaugural board includes a diverse group of experts: Andrew Spiegel (USAIG), Calvin Rieb (Cargill), Drew Talley (Skyways), Jim Ogletree (Amazon Prime Air), Joseph Keck (MGM Resorts International), Kyle Miller (Censys Technologies), Matt Gulsvig (American Tower), Nate Robie (Dominion Energy), Rita Castonguay-Hunt (aviation safety and program director), Toni Drummond (Future Flight Global), Will Dawson (Agricultural Drone Initiative), and Will Wheeler (Southern Company). Their collective experience spans insurance, agriculture, cargo delivery, energy, infrastructure, and advanced air mobility, ensuring a broad perspective on workforce needs.
For more information about USI's Advisory Board, visit https://www.flyusi.org/about/advisory-board. To learn more about USI, visit www.flyusi.org.
