General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.’s UAS Flight Training Academy successfully flew its first flight of the company-owned Predator A on July 28. The flight took place at GA-ASI’s headquarters in Grand Forks, North Dakota.




The purpose of the academy is to teach potential operators of General Atomics’ aircraft the safest flying techniques. The academy will also work with the U.S. Air Force’s remote piloted aircraft program.




Classes at the academy began earlier this month, and will be held at a variety of locations throughout Grand Forks. A flight operations center for the academy is also currently being built, with an expected completion time of next year.




After the successful first flight, David R. Alexander, president of aircraft systems at GA-ASI, expressed his excitement at the organization’s milestone achieved on this day.




“This first flight represents a significant milestone for our new training academy, further demonstrating our company’s capability to conduct UAS training operations safely and seamlessly within the National Airspace System,” says Alexander. “Our first class is already underway, and students progressed to the flight training portion of the syllabus today.”




A number of politicians were also in attendance for the event. Among them were Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota, who was very pleased and optimistic at the future of UAS development in the state.




“Right here in North Dakota, we’re leading the way in UAS research and development as well as the training of the pilots of the future,” says Hoeven.

<< Back to the News