The Unmanned Podcast

Episode 06 - Alice Griffith

In Episode Five of The Unmanned Podcast, Matt Hernandez sits down with Andrew Karas - airline transport pilot, certified flight instructor, and UAS professional - to discuss the critical role of standards and safety in the evolving world of drone operations. As Director of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), Andrew shares how lessons from crewed aviation are shaping unmanned systems.Topics Covered:How IS-BAO applies to UAS operationsBuilding a Safety Management System (SMS) for drone programsBridging traditional aviation and UAS safety cultureIndustry adoption of international standardsUAS risk management for commercial and enterprise operationsThe future of integrated airspace and global best practicesEnjoy the show. Visit us to learn more at www.flyusi.org.

In Episode Four of The Unmanned Podcast, Matt Hernandez interviews Kyle Miller, Director of Sales at Censys Technologies, to explore the next frontier in drone operations—BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight)—and the technologies making it safer and more scalable. Topics Covered:What is BVLOS and why it mattersUpcoming FAA Part 108 rule and its implicationsCensys’ Sentaero Six drone with optical detect-and-avoid and parachute safetyUse cases: post-hurricane beach surveys, utility infrastructure inspectionsPartnering with USI to standardize training and flight qualificationROI, safety, and workforce trends in energy and public sector drone adoptionIndustry predictions: vertical integration, smarter regulations, public trustEnjoy the show!

In Episode Three of The Unmanned Podcast, Matt Hernandez interviews Calvin Rieb, Global ROS Leader at Cargill, to explore how one of the world’s largest agricultural companies uses drones to enhance safety, efficiency, and innovation on a global scale.Topics Covered:How Cargill built its drone program from the ground upThe role of drones in inspecting grain bins and industrial assetsAchieving global safety and regulatory complianceROI insights: 2–3x return from drone implementationTraining with USI and the value of military + university talentEthics, privacy, and the future of counter-UAS and BVLOS rulesCargill’s vision for drone expansion in Europe and Asia💡 Calvin also shares lessons from aviation, leadership, and managing a multinational drone operation—from legal barriers to real-time risk reduction.Enjoy!

In Episode Two of The Unmanned Podcast, host Matt Hernandez welcomes Dave Haynes, Managing Partner of Haynes & Associates, to explore the vital role of drones in building smarter, safer communities through public safety operations, digital infrastructure, and next-gen data systems.Topics Covered:Drones in public safety and emergency responseUsing drones to support infrastructure and inspectionsBuilding community trust around autonomous systemsFuture trends in urban drone use, airspace policy & regulationFrom deploying drones in crisis zones to the rise of smart cities, gain actionable insights into where the drone industry is headed—and how to build a career or company aligned with that future.

In Episode One of The Unmanned Podcast, host Matt Hernandez interviews Josh Olds, President & CEO of the Unmanned Safety Institute (USI), a national leader in drone safety training and workforce development.Topics covered:The origins and mission of USISkill-based training beyond FAA Part 107Standardization, safety, and professional development in drone operationsThe future of AI, automation, and dronesIntegrating drones into national airspaceAdvice for aspiring aviators and drone pilotsWhether you’re a student, pilot, technician, or industry leader, this episode gives actionable insights on how to succeed in the fast-evolving unmanned systems industry.Learn more about USI: https://www.unmannedsafetyinstitute.org