From staff reports LAWTON – The FISTA Innovation Park will host its first Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter UAS (C-UAS) certification course in late August.
The four-day program is designed for individuals, businesses, and non-government leaders and planners, and it will be presented by experienced UAS and C-UAS experts, FISTA officials said in a news release.
The company offering the course, TDRS LLC, is known for its expertise in C-UAS operations and will present comprehensive information for individuals and businesses to understand their rights in protecting against unlawful UAS incursions, officials said.
“With over 12 years of C-UAS support to the military services, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and major defense prime contractors at Point Mugu, Eglin Air Force Base, Fort Sill, Yuma Proving Ground and White Sands Missile Range, TDRS has defined what individuals and businesses in the non-federal government and non-military sectors must know for protection against the growing UAS/drone threat,” they said.
“With over 50 years of collective UAS / C-UAS experience, Toney Stricklin, Maj. Gen. US Army Retired Gerald Stuckey and Mark Pritchard and other professional C-UAS experts will explain your rights and how to protect your business against seemingly harmless drones that can inflict great harm to individuals and businesses.”
The course will teach participants how to legally detect and respond to harassing UAS/drones over their home, property, business and community.
Experts with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol will explain how to respond to illegal UAS operations.
Dr. James Grimsley, a member of the FAA’s most recent UAS Mitigation and Detection Aviation Rulemaking Committee, will be among many experts who will address the class.
Law enforcement officials from the OSBI, OHP and the Oklahoma City and Lawton Police Departments will explain and demonstrate legal detection technologies available in the non-federal government sector.
Dedrone, a commercial detection and mitigation provider, will discuss their equipment and approach to C-UAS in the non-federal government sector.
Students will learn how to develop a CUAS action plan for their business and community, officials said.
They will also learn details on FAA Part 107, the rule that governs small unmanned aerial systems, and how to prepare for the Part 107 examination.
Additionally, an extensive UAS laboratory will be available with numerous fixed-wing and vertical-lift drones, culminating in a live flight demonstration.
Students will be given the opportunity to pilot many different types of drones, using state-ofthe- art flight simulators.
Those interested in participating should mark their calendars for Aug. 26-30 and fill out the registration information at FISTA’s website, https://thefista. com.