General Atomics Conducts First Predator Flight at UAS Training Academy

By Mike Ball / 29 Jul 2016

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

Predator UAS at Training Academy

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced the successful first flight of a company-owned Predator A at the company’s new Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Flight Training Academy in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

“This first flight represents a significant milestone for our new Training Academy, further demonstrating our company’s capability to conduct UAS training operations safely and seamlessly within the National Airspace System,” said David R. Alexander, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI. “Our first class is already underway, and students progressed to the flight training portion of the syllabus today.”

First flight festivities included remarks from U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), Cathy Peterson (Office of U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, D-ND); District Representative Randy Richards (U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer, R-ND); Al Anderson, Commissioner of North Dakota Department of Commerce; Tom Swoyer, President and Partner, Grand Sky Development Company; U.S. Air Force leadership; and GA-ASI executives.

“GA-ASI’s Flight Training Academy adds another layer to the good work happening at Grand Sky business and aviation park,” said Hoeven. “Right here in North Dakota, we’re leading the way in UAS research and development as well as the training of the pilots of the future. We’ve worked to make the Grand Forks region a hub for UAS innovations, and with industry leaders like GA-ASI, Grand Sky is paving the way in UAS development.”

“I congratulate CEO Linden Blue for the exceptional commitment he and his colleagues at GA-ASI have made to advance the groundbreaking frontier of unmanned aerial systems,” said Cramer. “Today’s first flight at the UAS Flight Training Academy in Grand Forks is another milestone showcasing an extraordinary partnership. GA-ASI, the Air Force, and local public and private organizations are developing Grand Sky into the world’s epicenter of the dynamic field of unmanned aerial systems.”

The mission of GA-ASI’s Training Academy is to provide safe, effective, and cutting-edge flight training for international and domestic aircrew operating the company’s aircraft. As an additional benefit, the Training Academy also can serve to augment U.S. Air Force RPA training programs. Training for GA-ASI aircrews began in early July 2016 and is now open for students external to GA-ASI as well.

“This is yet another monumental day for Grand Sky, GA-ASI, North Dakota, and the entire UAS industry,” said Swoyer. “After four years of development, large commercial UAS are flying from Grand Sky, marking one more step toward fully integrating commercial UAS into the national airspace.”

Classroom and simulator instruction will take place at Training Academy classroom facilities located in the city of Grand Forks. Flight Instruction will occur at temporary facilities located at the Grand Sky UAS business and aviation park adjacent to Grand Forks Air Force Base. Construction of a state-of-the-art, 16,000 square-foot Flight Operations Center began in November 2015 and is expected to conclude in Spring 2017.

The Academy will operate year-round, create many new jobs in North Dakota, offer multiple courses, and provide training for dozens of students at a time.

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Most Read Articles on UST This Week

Here’s our round-up of the five most read articles on UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com this week

Feb 14, 2025
FlyingBasket to Discuss Drone Industry Challenges at XPO Europe

FlyingBasket CTO Matthias Moroder will join a panel at Xponential Europe to discuss the regulatory and market challenges hindering drone industry growth, and the importance of collaboration for wider adoption

Feb 14, 2025
Advanced EFI Engines for Commercial & Industrial Drones

INF Inject's 2- and 4-stroke EFI engines can be provided with a range of options such as alternators, starter-alternators and generators

Feb 14, 2025
SDO 50 UAV Completes Long-Distance BVLOS Pipeline Inspection

SwissDrones’ SDO 50 UAV has successfully carried out a 550-kilometer BVLOS pipeline inspection in Queensland, providing precise, actionable data while maintaining high safety standards

Feb 14, 2025
Enhancing Unmanned System Reliability with SCS Silicone Conformal Coatings

Specialty Coating Systems (SCS) provides advanced conformal coating solutions to protect unmanned systems’ electronics from extreme conditions, ensuring durability, reliability, and compliance with evolving industry standards

Feb 14, 2025
Explore Geospatial Tools with Blue Marble at XPONENTIAL Europe

Blue Marble Geographics will showcase advanced geospatial software at XPONENTIAL Europe 2025, featuring live demos of the Global Mapper Suite and advanced geospatial tools

Feb 14, 2025

Featured Content

Military Vehicles to Feature Small Tethered UAS from Elistair

Elistair has secured a €3 million contract to equip military vehicles with tethered UAS, enhancing real-time intelligence and operational awareness

Feb 13, 2025
Ellipse Series Enhanced with Latest Firmware Upgrade

The new firmware update from SBG Systems integrates the latest World Magnetic Model (WMM) to improve navigation precision, even for first-generation Ellipse sensors

Feb 11, 2025
Advanced FOG-Based Inertial Sensing Solutions for Drones & Robotics

Aegiverse's products feature a multi-layered architecture that combines multiple elements into a compact module, providing significant, size, weight and cost reductions

Feb 06, 2025