The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) has announced the creation of its first Industry Advisory Board, a move that signals a strategic effort to align unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) education and training with the rapidly evolving needs of the industry. The board, composed of leaders from across the UAS ecosystem, held its inaugural meeting on September 2, 2026, at the Commercial UAV Expo and Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. This development matters because it addresses a critical gap: as regulations and technology advance, the workforce must be prepared for operations that are more automated, distributed, and integrated into the National Airspace System.
The timing is particularly significant. The Federal Aviation Administration's proposed Part 108 framework aims to establish a predictable pathway for routine, scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. This proposal goes beyond piloting to include operating authorizations, aircraft airworthiness, separation from other aircraft, security, recordkeeping, third-party services, and organizational responsibilities. If finalized broadly as proposed, Part 108 could accelerate the shift from individual flights to repeatable programs using fleets, remote operations, automation, and UAS Traffic Management services. Such a transition will require professionals skilled in safety management systems, aircraft maintenance, mission coordination, data management, risk assessment, and program leadership.
USI President and CEO Josh Olds emphasized the board's practical purpose: "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 board will advise USI in four key areas: validating curriculum against current operating practice, identifying emerging job roles and skill gaps, strengthening connections among education, credentials, and employer expectations, and maintaining an aviation-grade focus on safety as technology and regulation change.
The implications extend beyond commercial operators. High schools and colleges need clearer signals about the knowledge and capabilities employers will value. Companies need reliable ways to identify and develop qualified talent. Individuals need pathways that connect learning to credible career opportunities. By bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds, USI aims to interpret these signals and translate them into practical education and workforce-development decisions. The board members include Andrew Spiegel of USAIG, Calvin Rieb of Cargill, Drew Talley of Skyways, Jim Ogletree of Amazon Prime Air, Joseph Keck of MGM Resorts International, Kyle Miller of Censys Technologies, Matt Gulsvig of American Tower, Nate Robie of Dominion Energy, Rita Castonguay-Hunt, Toni Drummond of Future Flight Global, Will Dawson of the Agricultural Drone Initiative, and Will Wheeler of Southern Company. Their collective experience spans insurance, agriculture, cargo delivery, energy, telecommunications, and advanced air mobility.
The board will serve in an advisory capacity, with USI retaining responsibility for curriculum, certification, and program decisions. This structure ensures that industry insights directly inform educational offerings while maintaining USI's authority over academic standards. For more information about USI's Advisory Board, visit https://www.flyusi.org/about/advisory-board. As the UAS industry stands on the cusp of a regulatory transformation, this initiative represents a proactive step to ensure the workforce is not left behind. By fostering collaboration between educators and employers, USI is helping to build a talent pipeline capable of supporting the next generation of unmanned operations.
