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Unmanned Systems Canada – Systèmes Télécommandés Canada (USC-STC) announced that Michael Cohen has been appointed as chair of USC-STC, effective on the eve of #UC19Ottawa.
Cohen replaces outgoing chair Mark Aruja, who led the association a total of four years and who will continue in an advisory capacity as chair emeritus and an active, ongoing member.
“This is a particularly exciting time for the autonomous and remotely piloted world – especially the RPAS industry,” said Cohen. “One of the key reasons for that is due to the tireless work of Mark Aruja, working jointly with regulators and industry leaders on behalf of our members. I want to express our thanks to Mark for his outstanding service and dedication to moving the industry forward.”
Cohen is president and CEO of Industrial SkyWorks, a venture-funded drone data analytics company. He is a former airline captain (Boeing 737 NG) and holds a master of aeronautical sciences degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, specializing in aerospace safety systems and risk management. Cohen has served as chairman of Air Safety (Air Line Pilots Association: Canjet) and as member of an airline emergency response team (Air Canada).
As the incoming USC-STC chair, Cohen believes safety and diversity must be at the forefront of the association’s mission. In addition to advancing these issues and working closely with regulatory authorities in Canada, Cohen plans to advance key USC-STC/industry objectives with vice-chair of Operations Mike Campbell and executive director Glenn Martin.
“It’s great to have Michael in the chair role and I’m looking forward to working with Michael and Glenn to move the association forward into 2020 and beyond, leveraging the great foundation that Mark Aruja has built for us,” said Campbell. “It was an honour to work with Mark and we’re pleased that he has graciously agreed to remain in an advisory capacity to USC-STC for the coming year.”
“It was an exciting period to be involved in this innovative industry,” said Aruja. “The RPAS Task Force got set up with Transport Canada, and the small UAS legislation successfully went into effect this year after a decade of effort.
“The RPAS Traffic Management Action Team has had an intense year leading to the development of a national roadmap. Two test ranges were approved, a key part of our national ecosystem which has now progressed to the approval of commercial beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
“The industry now is facing ever more complex issues as we move beyond VLOS into the challenge of BVLOS and airspace integration,” he added. “I’m convinced that Michael brings the right combination of expertise, commitment and leadership needed to lead the association’s work on these new challenges on behalf of the RPAS industry. I wish him and USC-STC every success.”
Prior to being elected chair, Cohen served for two years as a director with Unmanned Systems Canada – Systèmes Télécommandés Canada, heading the organization’s strategic discussion as vice-chair of strategy.
