Technology Integration

Flight Testing

I enjoy getting out into the field and flight testing new equipment – or new applications of existing equipment.

In this fast moving industry, I’m seeing two common patterns:

Operators are not equipped to determine what systems will best meet their mission needs and end up purchasing components / systems that are inadequate to perform the required functions in the given mission environment. The result is that equipment is purchased and not used, or the outcome of using the equipment is inadequate. Either way, money and time are wasted and/or personnel are put in danger.

Manufacturers don’t fully understand the mission environment and put products into the market that don’t meet basic operational, workflow, performance, safety, or regulatory needs. The result is that great ideas and prototypes are wasted and reputations tarnished when customers don’t realize they are becoming early beta testers. This is ok if that is their intent – but not if they are expecting functional products in mission-critical environments. 

By working with operators and manufacturers, I am addressing both problems. 

 

Crewed Aircraft

 

    For crewed aircraft testing, I primarily work with sensors. 
  • For a particular ConOp, how can you identify a package that best meets your needs? 
  • Performance testing – how well does this particular sensor/package fit your ConOps needs? 
  • Design and functionality recommendations – how can you improve your sensor/package product to meet specific ConOps requirements?  

UAS

For UAS testing, I work with and flight test sensors, aircraft, other system hardware or software. 

  • For a particular ConOp, how can you identify a package that best meets your needs?
  • Performance testing – how well does this UAS or do these components fit your specific ConOps needs?
  • Design and functionality recommendations – how can you improve your UAS product to meet specific ConOps requirements?

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Profiles for Specific Missions

    • Best practices development for specific aircraft / sensor package combinations – given a specific system and its strengths and weaknesses, how can you put it to best use for your specific ConOps?
    • Design and functionality recommendations – how can you improve your sensor/package product to meet specific mission requirements?

     

    In flight testing and developing best practices, I have worked with aircraft, sensors, avionics, control or other software, system hardware, and more from Cessna, FLIR, L3Harris, Waldo, Skydio, DJI, Hextronics, AeroVironment, FlytBase, NASA, and others. I am particularly interested in ConOps related to extreme environments, emergency services, environmental monitoring, BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) for UAS, DIAB (drone in a box), and dual-use mission types. Whether you are an operator or a manufacturer, I provide clear, actionable recommendations based on your situation.