CEO Michael Healander on Drone Sightings Over US Military Bases and Airspace Solutions

Concerns Over Unauthorized Drone Activity

• ⚠️ Michael Healander, CEO of Airspace Link, expresses concern over unauthorized drone activity near U.S. military bases, calling it "bothersome."
• 🧩 The complexity arises from different sets of rules for recreational pilots, Part 107 pilots, public safety departments, and the Department of Defense.
• 🗺️ A significant challenge is that military bases often lack authority over drones operating outside their fence lines, even if they are in the glide path.

Airspace Link's Solutions and Vision

• 🤝 Airspace Link is working with entities like Joint Base Charleston to implement shared systems for UAS detection, aiming to clarify who is flying where, what, and when.
• 💡 The company supports a path forward where local cities and communities can integrate technology and data exchange with the FAA and military bases.
• 📡 This collaboration aims to provide a clearer understanding of airspace activity, distinguishing between legitimate and potentially malicious actors.

Challenges in Drone Detection and Regulation

• ❓ A key issue is the lack of purchased technology by those who need it, despite its availability and existing regulations.
• 🌐 Coordinating data and technology across multiple levels of government, including federal agencies and local public safety, presents jurisdictional hurdles.
• ✈️ There's a need for technology that can detect both drones and manned aircraft, enabling a clear distinction between them.

The Path Forward and National Security

• 🎯 The upcoming House Oversight Committee hearing is seen as an opportunity to push for clear direction and potentially provide mechanisms for communities and bases to acquire necessary detection technology.
• 🔒 Healander emphasizes that understanding airspace activity is a national security issue that requires urgent attention and action.
• ✅ He is hopeful that progress can be made within the year to address these critical airspace security concerns.