Creating System To Prevent Disruption And Ensure Spectator Safety During Performances

In a new approach for safe airspace integrations for our ever-popular drone light show services, Great Lakes Drone Company has partnered with Fortem Technologies for airspace management and mitigation for our show performance venues. The Fortem SkyDome solution will be installed in Great Lakes Command Trailer for the 2019 performance season. This state-of-the-art technology will allow Great Lakes Drone Company to see any threats quickly and accurately during our performances, as well as help our venues mitigate any potential rogue drone incursions during their airshows or festivals.

Technology is rapidly changing, and safe airspace integration is key to our ever-evolving industry. In 2018 we had to shut down one of our performances early as a curious spectator flew their drone too close to our performance box. When we are running 60, 100, 200 drones in the air at a time it’s very hard for someone to know where our drones are. They also will not know where they will be going if they are not actively involved in our operation. “The Fortem SkyDome solution provides an added layer of safety and security to our performances.”, says Matt Quinn, CEO Great Lakes Drone Company. “This partnership will also allow us to provide UAS airspace mitigation for the two largest aviation events in the world, with SUN ‘n FUN and EAA Air Adventure in Oshkosh, not to mention all three of the AOPA Fly-In’s in 2019. This helps us take safety to a whole new level for everyone.”

Fortem Technologies is an innovative leader in AI-enabled airspace security and safety. Fortem delivers a commercially available solution that alerts, identifies and classifies drones and other unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) through its rich geofencing technology in the sky. “We are happy to partner with Great Lakes Drone Company to help ensure safe events for not only their audiences, but to help protect the investments they have made in their drone fleet. Fortem is the only vendor that controls and owns all the technology end-to-end to provide a turnkey, robust and maintainable solution that is “fit for use” to protect against all drones, day and night, flying on waypoints or emitting RF.” said Gregg Pugmire, VP WW sales of Fortem Technologies.

“Advancing airspace safety is critical in the age of drone integration and this partnership between AOPA, the Great Lakes Drone Company, and Fortem Technologies incorporates another layer of safety for all those attending each of the 2019 AOPA Fly-Ins,” said Kat Swain, AOPA’s Sr. Director of UAS. “We are excited to see the innovative airspace awareness technology at work and admire the desire to collaborate and provide not only an entertaining drone show, but also a safe environment for the surrounding airspace.”

“This announcement adds to the extreme value we are already seeing from our partnership with Great Lakes Drone Company. Keeping our audience safe is SUN ‘n FUN’s top priority, and this added feature of security to enhance the beauty of the Star Dance Spectacular behind the scenes is a tremendous bonus. We commend the Great Lakes and Fortem teams for their innovative collaboration,” said Greg Gibson, CMO and Airshow Director for Sun ‘n Fun.

“This partnership confirms why EAA felt it was important to invite Great Lakes Drone Company to make their airshow debut at Oshkosh in 2018,” says Dave Chaimson, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for the Experimental Aircraft Association. “As UAS operations continue to grow within the National Airspace System, EAA sees that maintaining strong relationships with leading companies such as Great Lakes Drone Company and Fortem Technologies will ensure that UAS operations integrate in a safe and efficient manner for all users of our nation’s airspace.”

(Source: Great Lakes Drone Company news release)

FMI: www.greatlakesdronecompany.com