Piloting the UAS World with the FAA: Drones In America

 

Welcome to this week’s episode of “Drones in America,” a MarketScale podcast hosted by Grant Guillot.

On “Drones in America,” Guillot and industry leaders, influencers and experts explore the rapidly growing commercial drone industry in the U.S., guiding you through the complex web of technology, policy and more.

This week, Grant speaks with the Executive Director of the Federal Aviation Administration, Jay Merkle, to get his insight regarding what drone users can expect in regards to Operations Over People, Remote ID, and the utilization of drones in public safety.

Deliveries being performed by unmanned vehicles is a goal for companies as a way to boost the efficiency and reduce the cost of last-mile delivery, but this dream has hit several regulatory road blocks. However, this year, we have seen several companies make serious headway in making this a reality. The key to lasting success will be the involvement of the local community.

Merkle discussed how one company in North Carolina is ingeniously using multiple visual observers to extend their “line of sight” to a 25-mile long route. Novant Health is delivering medical supplies between their facilities using drones with the help of Zipline’s technologies. They have developed this advanced system of visual observers to get around the need for a part 135 clearance, but also to ensure safety throughout the entire route and limit the risk that comes with beyond line of sight flying.

The public perception of drones is a prominent concern among the drone industry and is seen as one of the larger threats to the timeline of rolling out more sophisticated UAV operations throughout the country. Merkle weighed in on how he is working to change the negative narrative and how drones can be a tool for positive impact in the community.

The FAA UAS Symposium this year is going to be a Remotely Piloted Edition (virtual conference) titled “Drones: Here for Good.” The title is a callout not only to UAVs being an industry that will be here permanently, but also to how the utilization of drones can make notoriously dangerous tasks safer.

Don’t Miss Our Drones In America Panel!

Join us Thursday June 25th at 11am ET/10am CT for a webinar titled, “Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs in the Commercial Drone Industry” moderated by “Drones in America” host Grant Guillot.

Catch up on previous episodes of Drones In America!

Join host Grant Guillot of the law firm, Adams and Reese for Drones in America with new episodes available where ever podcasts are found.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

rubber
How Precision Engineering and Regulatory Complexity Shape the Future of Rubber Manufacturing
April 9, 2026

In an era where precision manufacturing often hides behind the simplicity of everyday products, the world of rubber components offers a striking reminder that complexity frequently lives beneath the surface. What appears to be a modest gasket or sealing element is, in reality, the product of highly specialized engineering, rigorous testing, and an…

Read More
tekniplex
Inside TekniPlex Gaggiano: How Specialized Manufacturing and Precision Engineering Define a True Center of Excellence
April 9, 2026

Manufacturing excellence today is less about scale alone and more about precision, control, and adaptability—especially in industries where even microscopic inconsistencies can have outsized consequences. As global supply chains grow more complex and regulatory standards tighten, facilities that invest in specialized processes and contamination control are quietly becoming the backbone of innovation. Segregated…

Read More
materials
Tekniplex Showcases Sustainable Materials Innovation at Paris Packaging Week 2026
April 9, 2026

At Paris Packaging Week 2026, Tekniplex didn’t just exhibit—it staged an experience that reflected the evolving intersection of materials science and brand storytelling. The company’s modern booth, complete with a living wall and immersive digital displays, signaled a broader shift in how packaging innovators are choosing to engage a sustainability-conscious audience. Beneath the…

Read More
Paris Packaging
Paris Packaging 2026: How Material Science and Global Innovation Are Reshaping the Future of Packaging
April 9, 2026

In an era where sustainability, performance, and consumer expectations are colliding, packaging has quietly become one of the most dynamic frontiers of innovation. What was once viewed as a functional afterthought is now a strategic lever—one that blends advanced science, manufacturing precision, and an increasingly human-centered understanding of market needs. Material science, in this…

Read More