AUTONOMOUS
AERIAL
FIREFIGHTING

Serial entrepreneur with a unique strengths in operational execution. Current Civil Aviation Approved Test Pilot, previously: founded Skybase, DroneTRUST, VP Sales at Martin Aircraft, decorated veteran pilot for Royal Australian Air Force. Bachelor Science and ATPL.

Most recent director of NASA Armstrong Flight Research Centre, with over forty years of experience in strategic and operational leadership and groundbreaking technology research and development.

Former US Army helicopter pilot, with a Masters of Software Engineering and Bachelors of Materials Engineering, then qualified through the US Navy Test Pilot’s School. UAV flight test, became a Lieutenant Colonel. Lives in New Zealand.

Former Battalion Chief, Incident Commander and Fire Chief of CALFIRE,  and was awarded the Medal of Valour. Current Director of Emergency Services 211 in San Diego. Extensive aerial firefighting experience in Air Attack (Bronco).

Previously Senior Systems Engineer and Avionics Engineer at COLSA, with extensive avionics experience at Lockheed Martin (F22 and JSF flight controls), L3, Martin Aircraft and Archer Aviation. She has bachelors and Masters degrees.

Previously global business development at 3Com and Hewlett Packard, and then CTO/BD of SkyIMD before becoming CTO/BD for Courtney Aviation (aerial firefighting), responsible for turning both businesses into very successful enterprises.

Exited his UAV business (Yield Defender) by selling to Air Tractor, and has worked for Lockheed Martin, Northpoint, Boeing. He has multiple degrees and is also a Licenced Aircraft Engineer (Airframe & Powerplant).

Connor is a graduate of the Empire Test Pilot’s School as a Flight Test Engineer. He has served with the Royal Australian Air Force for 15 years, has a Bachelor of Engineering and Masters of Flight Test Engineering. He has been instrumental in Beyond Flight’s notable successes in the Firetech trials in Australia.

Previously Royal Australian Air Force, with Masters of Flight Test Engineering from USAF Test Pilot School and experience with F16 UAVs, Boeing Loyal Wingman and conventional flight test programs, Bachelor of Engineering with hands-on technical skills. Joined in 2020.

Previously certifying engineer at Air New Zealand, and Royal New Zealand Air Force. Has a Certificate of Inspection Authorisation, and is a Quality Systems lead (including Safety Systems). Owns a large maintenance business. He is also a qualified private pilot.

With 3 Masters Degrees (Electrical, Electronic Systems, Aircraft & Helicopter Engineering) and having studied Advanced UAV systems with the French Air Force, she contracted to Safran and Cloud Sat, before joining full time in 2020. She has returned to France to work remotely.

Previously senior safety manager at Air New Zealand, Risk Manager for Deloitte, Human factors at Aurecon, bachelor of Psychology and qualified in Product Design and Engineering. Specialised in cockpit human factors interfaces and critical infrastructure safety.

World famous aerobatics and display pilot, former Oracle and AWS demonstration team owner, “national living treasure” and in the Smithsonian see wikipedia page.

Former Director Aviation for US DOI, including a core focus in the Wildland Fire Department, and former USN F14 Top Gun and Test Pilot and multiple-Commanding Officer (Naval Weapons Test Squadron, Naval Air Engineering Station, Navy Carrier Squadron).

Multi-exited founder, first with InspecTools (acquired by PrecisionHawk) and then Rope Partner (acquired by Magnesium Capital). He has since founded new companies, Airspace Integration, InsightUp Solutions and the Monterey Bay DART organisation, each focused on different aspects of uncrewed aircraft technology integration.

CEO and owner of Field Air, Air Tractor’s Asia Pacific dealership since 1978 and service entity, also providing extensive operational services in aerial firefighting, and aerial agriculture. Highly experienced in strategic and operational leadership.