The IACP Session went great!

Success Stories and Tactics: How Crewed and Uncrewed Aircrafts Can Support Joint Operations

Nice job speakers:
Craig Benz – Lt and Chief Pilot, Minnesota State Patrol
Barry Brennan – Police Reserve, Redondo Beach Police Dept./Flying Lion
Don Redmond – Capt. (Ret.), Chula Vista Police Deptartment
Lance Scott – Georgia State Patrol

For over a century, crewed aircraft have supported public safety operations, with some of the earliest uses dating back to 1914-1916. Fast forward to 2025, and drones have emerged as a powerful tool for both large and small public safety agencies. After years of debate and adjustment, many agencies across the country have successfully learned to integrate crewed and uncrewed aircraft on the same incident-with impressive results. Presented by the IACP Aviation Committee, this panel will share success stories and tactical insights on how coordinated operations between crewed and uncrewed systems have led to mission success.
Target Audience: Command Staff/Supervisors

Some photos from the session:

 

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Advancing UAS Operations: Steven Katz on the Beyond the Drone Podcast

Flying Lion Vice President Stephen Katz recently sat down with Desi Ekstein on the Beyond the Drone podcast to discuss the future of UAS operations, regulatory challenges, and how public-safety agencies can build safe, scalable drone programs.

During the interview, Steven highlighted several key themes that define Flying Lion’s approach:

✈️ Regulatory-First Mindset
Flying Lion starts with the rules—not the aircraft. Every program is built on a foundation of FAA compliance under Parts 91 and 107, ensuring safe and repeatable operations.

📡 Turning Waivers Into Real-World Operations
From drafting waivers to coordinating with ATC and supporting mission-ready deployments, Steven explained how Flying Lion guides agencies through the entire life-cycle of a drone program.

🗺️ Data & Geospatial Intelligence
GIS mapping, tailored airspace requests, shielded volumes, and risk-mitigation overlays are now essential tools for responsible and efficient UAS operations.

🚁 Preparing for BVLOS and the Next Era
As BVLOS and autonomy advance, Flying Lion is helping agencies stay ahead—aligning with emerging frameworks and building operational processes that meet both today’s and tomorrow’s expectations.

🤝 A Culture Built on Partnership
Flying Lion’s success is rooted in collaboration with law-enforcement agencies, ATC managers, FAA processors, and industry partners nationwide.

If your agency is looking to expand its drone program, advance toward BVLOS, or strengthen its regulatory footing, Flying Lion is here to help you build a safer, smarter, and scalable future.

Listen in to the full conversation on the podcast Beyond the Drone by Women and Drones.

 

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