AUVSI Trusted Operator Program Takes Off

Unmanned Safety Institute is proud to join the steering committee and brand ambassadors to develop UAS training protocols

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) today announced the appointment of leading industry stakeholders to serve on a steering committee and as brand ambassadors who will develop the Trusted Operator Program (TOP) for remote pilots and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) training organizations.

The TOP, which AUVSI launched in November, is a UAS community initiative to facilitate best practices, codes of conduct and professionalism for operators of services provided by UAS, also known as drones.

“There is no other organization that can drive and support the UAS industry with such a critical initiative than AUVSI,” said Brian Wynne, AUVSI’s president and CEO. “As more commercial UAS pilots are trained and certified, they will join the aviation community’s long-standing culture and commitment to safe and reliable performance.”

The initial planning for the TOP started early last year during meetings of AUVSI’s Remote Pilots Council (RPC) that were held across the country. RPC members and other remote pilots licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration discussed the need for higher levels of professionalism through consistent training, which would allow UAS operators flying for business purposes to further distinguish themselves in the market.

In addition, RPC members said there is a lack of understanding of the legal implications involved in contracting UAS services that do not have certified and demonstrated safety and compliance protocols. This affects insurance costs, perceived market value for services, customer trust and regulatory oversight.

“There is an urgent need to unify the remote pilot community and remote pilot training providers to facilitate a recognized guide for training protocols, best practices and conduct. This will support reliability, safety, professionalism and trust in the UAS industry,” Wynne said. “The training protocols that are envisioned for the TOP will lead to many benefits, such as a commitment to safety, lower insurance premiums and helping advance regulations that permit expanded operations, including flying at night, over people, and beyond line of sight.”

The TOP steering committee will work to highlight gaps in existing training protocols and help develop new ones. Brand ambassadors will promote the program to stakeholders throughout the UAS community.

More information about the TOP is posted on AUVSI’s website.

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About AUVSI

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics — represents more than 7,500 members from more than 60 countries involved in the fields of government, industry and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets. For more information, visit AUVSI.org.