Beyond the Pilot

The World Is Watching: Public Safety UAS and FIFA 2026

As the FIFA 2026 World Cup fast approaches, is our public safety community truly ready for the drone threat? In this episode, Megan Crout sits down with Charles Werner — founder of DRONERESPONDERS and one of the country's leading voices on public safety UAS — to unpack the critical gaps in counter-UAS preparedness. From the absence of a national strategy to the challenge of procuring technology, and more, Werner doesn't sugarcoat the stakes, but leaves us with a clear-eyed roadmap for what comes next.

The Skies Over the World Cup: Is America Ready?

When 48 nations, millions of fans, and the eyes of the world descend on the United States this summer, the national airspace will be under more scrutiny than ever before. Todd Hutchings and Jack White join us to examine what it takes to protect the national airspace at an unprecedented scale — from federal funding battles and multi-agency coordination to the legal limits of drone mitigation and the long-term legacy this tournament will leave for U.S. counter-UAS infrastructure.

The Airport That Skipped the Waiting Room

Most airports are still figuring out what eVTOL means for their future. Syracuse already has FAA approval for vertiports, live UAS flights in commercial airspace, and a cargo-first gameplan tied to regional technology giants and transportation networks. Jason Terreri, Executive Director of the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, joins host Megan Crout to break down how Central New York got so far ahead and why the FAA's new eIPP program could make it the model for Advanced Air Mobility across the country.

Counter-UAS and Collaborative Defense: Inside the Innovation with NUAIR and the 174th Attack Wing

Join host Megan Crout for a groundbreaking conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Drew "Buzz" Larned and NUAIR Chief of Safety Scott "Gripper" Brenton as they reveal the historic collaboration between the 174th Attack Wing and NUAIR that has changed military aviation forever. In November 2025, an MQ-9 Reaper drone made history as the first U.S. military uncrewed aircraft to fly on private civilian infrastructure. But this wasn't just a technical achievement - it was a glimpse into the future of airspace security, counter-UAS defense, and public-private partnerships. Discover how lessons from Ukraine are reshaping American defense strategy, why co-located military and civilian airports need layered surveillance systems, and how Central New York became the proving ground for scalable, cost-effective airspace awareness solutions. From detecting small quadcopters to integrating large military drones, learn how NUAIR's surveillance-as-a-service network is bridging the gap between military readiness and civilian commerce. Whether you're interested in drone technology, national security, or the future of air traffic management, this episode offers unprecedented insights into how innovation, community engagement, and dual-use technology are protecting American skies. The views and opinions expressed by Lt. Col. Larned and D. Scott Brenton, Colonel (USAF, retired), in this podcast are solely their own and do not represent the official position or policy of the New York Air National Guard, the United States Air Force, the Department of War, or any other governmental agency or organization.