Sustainable Skylines, the aerial drone advertising and data analytics company, and USI have partnered to create a training and certification program enabling aviators to operate within the Sustainable Skylines’ infrastructure.
Sustainable Skylines is the first drone banner towing company in the U.S. to receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for commercial operations. Their Section 44807 exemption approval, combined with a banner towing authorization, will allow Sustainable Skylines to launch full-size banner advertisements towed by a drone along Miami Beach in 2024. Â
Aerial drone advertising offers a number of advantages over traditional aircraft towing. Beyond providing safer and greener operations, drones boost greater maneuverability, operate at slower speeds and lower altitudes, and don’t need a runway as they are capable of a vertical take-off and landing. Furthermore, drones introduce precise attention analytics to banner advertising, which removes a significant barrier to widespread brand adoption.
“As we continue to refine our drone technology, we’ve also been diligently building the infrastructure needed for scalable drone advertising operations. This effort extends to partnering with USI so we can train pilots and flight staff to safely operate our drones,” said Jacob Stonecipher, the founder and CEO of Sustainable Skylines. “While we are launching operations in Miami Beach, we are poised for rapid expansion to new locations as we partner with new brands and showcase the advantages of aerial banner towing.”
Utilizing decades of experience in aviation, commercial drones, and Department of Defense operations, USI has developed a structured training program to develop aviators that is specific to remotely piloted technology and equivalent to traditional aviation training standards under FAR Part 141. Now, this same process will be available to pilots and flight staff looking to join the Sustainable Skylines team and become a certified-aerial drone advertising operator.
“Sustainable Skylines has pioneered a novel application for uncrewed aircraft systems, paving the way for yet another high-skill, high-wage career field that doesn’t necessitate a commercial pilot license,” explained Joshua Olds, CEO, president, and co-founder of USI. “We look forward to collaborating with those who already have a private pilot license, as well as aspiring aviators through our partnerships with secondary and post-secondary academic institutions.”
To learn more about the training and certification program or explore careers with Sustainable Skylines, please visit: https://www.sustainableskylines.com/about/join-our-team/
