Will speaks with Tommy Sunderhaus, UAS Program Coordinator at the Sinclair college and discusses the institution's extensive drone program, which offers certificates, associate's, and bachelor's degrees in UAS. The program focuses on photogrammetry, thermal imaging, LiDAR, and multispectral data acquisition, as well as hands-on training in drone maintenance and manufacturing. Sinclair collaborates with industry partners like Aero Velocity to provide students with internship opportunities and real-world experience.

Tommy shares his background in manned aviation, his transition into the drone industry, and his work with organizations such as Argonne National Laboratory, PrecisionHawk, and Amazon Prime Air. He highlights trends in the UAS industry, including increased company-run drone departments, AI and automation, precision agriculture, and drone-based surveying. The discussion also touches on Sinclair’s efforts to train students in advanced drone applications, including archaeology and conservation.

The interview concludes with an invitation for industry professionals to engage with Sinclair’s program and Aero Velocity’s new podcast platform, which aims to share insights and trends in the drone industry.