PFD announces partnership with California based technology company Phoenix LiDAR.  Phoenix LiDAR is a strategic partner, supplier and systems integrator for LiDAR sensors, on a wide variety of platforms for point cloud data collection.  PFD has been working with Phoenix LiDAR on key technology innovation projects in the US and Southern Asia the past 12 months.  Phoenix LiDAR provides excellent hardware integration and knowledge using sensors from leading manufactures of LiDAR professional mapping grade systems specifically for UAS from vendors such as Riegl and Velodyne.

“We are excited to have a partner in the sensor integration business to help us provide an excellent value to our client base with highly integrated products, services and training.  Together we are proving our clients the honest capability of the technology and regulatory limits.  We cut through the sales hype and drama, getting right to the point, or point cloud in this case.  There are major differences between sensors and capabilities for mapping and survey measurements.  We are pleased that our relationship continues to move forward, developing client successes and setting new accuracy standards and efficiencies.  We are helping private sector, government and defense clients’ domestic and abroad, safely achieve unprecedented accuracy in data collection of 3D point cloud data.”  -Steve Colligan, President, Precision Flight Devices, a 3GLP, Inc. company

Program Offers Industrial Geomatics, Infrastructure Managers, Surveyors and GIS Professionals, Preparation For FAA Part 107 UAV Commercial Knowledge Exam

(ATLANTA, GA) — Precision Flight Devices (PFD) offers a variety product and services to science, engineering, public safety, search and rescue, research and development professionals. PFD’s training and certification services focus on providing the highest value to professional operators looking to add sUAS tools to their existing workflow. This partnership with Gold Seal UAV Ground School (UAVGS) offers PFD customers a discount towards Part 107 Remote Pilot testing, which is then augmented with PFD’s practical hands-on short courses and flight training at one of their dedicated test ranges or client sites. “UAV Ground School is an excellent way to train professionals at their own pace without hours and hours of classroom time. Professional Remote Pilot’s need more than passing a test, they need knowledge and skills to adapt to their environment and understand the principles and safe operations wherever they fly. UAVGS allows us to raise the bar of safety and knowledge to our working professional clients,” said Steve Colligan, President of PFD.

Gold Seal, the nation’s pilot education leader who has prepared over 45,000 private pilots for their FAA Knowledge Test, produces the UAV Ground School program (UAVGS). FAA certified instructors teach and use FAA compliant materials presented in an online, interactive, multimedia format allowing students to learn at their own pace. Built-in testing with real FAA test questions, an extensive documentation library, and flash card quizzes complement the program. The program was created specifically for those wanting to increase their knowledge, become a professional UAV/drone operator and wishing to gain full FAA certification.

Upon graduation from UAVGS, graduates may sit for the FAA Remote Operator Knowledge Test at any FAA testing center in the United States. Passing the FAA Knowledge Test and becoming a legal and safe operator gives graduates a major leg up as commercial UAV uses continue to explode. In the months of August through October 2016, UAVGS student registrations have exceeded the 3,000 mark.

Steve Colligan also noted, “UAV Ground School is an excellent online resource for UAV operators preparing for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Knowledge Test. It’s especially useful for existing professionals who want to increase their aviation knowledge while not having time to take a traditional semester-long class. The website is intuitive, the cost to our clients is affordable, and I think the folks that created UAV Ground School truly have the best interest of our nation’s airspace at heart.”

“I have known Steve and of his programs through our time spent together serving on a sUAS / Drone Committee with the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). I’m pleased that PFD has endorsed and recognized not only the value but also the usefulness of our program for their clients. The UAVGS team is dedicated to providing proper training and safe operations. I like his professional approach to safety and I’m excited to work with the PFD program,” said Cliff Whitney, COO of UAV Ground School.

About Precision Flight Devices:

Precision Flight Devices and division of 3Glp, Inc., and its sister organizations E-Terra and Northern Regions Research and Development Institute (NRRDI) provide professional geomatics services, training, research and development, public policy and procedures development to industrial corporation, utilities, oil and gas partners, resource development and conservation organizations, federal, state and local government and tribal organizations since 1993.  sUAS are in important new tool in the industry and we continue to be devoted to national airspace safety. PFD and their partners operate in the United States and Canada with a global reach.  Headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, PFD has its own private 2,950-acre test range.  PFD is able to test, train and operate most any technology in a safe and controlled environment.

About Gold Seal:

Gold Seal was founded in 2006 by aerospace author and Master FAA CFI Russell Still, founder of Atlanta Flight, Inc. In late 2013, Gold Seal joined forces with Cliff Whitney, founder and president of UAV Experts and Atlanta Hobby, to design and promote the nation’s leading UAV Ground School program. For over 30 years, Cliff has operated as a private sailplane and single engine pilot. He knows photography and video intimately through his time spent as the president of Wolf Camera.