As reports of mysterious drone sightings along the East Coast spark public concern, Warren County Community College President Will Austin brings his expertise in uncrewed systems to the national conversation. Drawing from his experience leading WarrenUAS, a drone training program, Austin offers measured insights while advocating for responsible drone technology advancement.
Will Austin has been helping to shed light on the reported “drone” sightings along the East Coast of the U.S., appearing in national and international reports on the issue.
In the hundreds of print and broadcast interviews, Austin has tried to calm public concern about the reported nighttime drone sightings on the east coast and particularly in New Jersey. He said he believes some of the sightings involve citizens mistakenly identifying other aircraft for drones while others are perhaps drones that are no threat to the citizenry, being operated legally or by amateur pilots.
“I haven’t studied all the reported sightings, and I completely understand the public concern, but from what I have seen I just don’t think there is a serious threat,” he said. “I hope these sightings are fully investigated and all the information is made public, but I also hope we don’t get ahead of ourselves without a clear understanding of these reports.”
The college is the home of WarrenUAS, the institution’s nationally recognized uncrewed systems training program, which Austin played a key role in developing and where he still offers instruction. The fast-growing program, training students in the design, flight operations and maintenance of UAS for use in a wide range of sectors, is now housed in two new facilities on the campus and offers students hands on experience with many different uncrewed systems.
Austin has expressed concern that the publicity about the reported sightings will lead to negative public opinion and perhaps ill-conceived regulation of the technology that can benefit public safety in so many ways.
Austin added, “We really focus on safety and security with our students, and we understand how this technology needs to be handled professionally. Training skilled technicians who clearly understand that approach is our goal. We also want the public and our students to explore and understand the tremendous benefit this technology can offer for everything from farming and environmental protection to law enforcement, search and rescue and firefighting.”
Last year, many associate degree-seeking students in WarrenUAS found employment with salaries in excess of six-figures, and Austin says he is determined to “show the amazing life-changing potential of the technology for our students gaining careers in this field and for the public.”
