What DRONERESPONDERS does

DRONERESPONDERS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit program of AIRT, Inc. (EIN 37-1866102) that operates as the world's leading dedicated organization advancing public safety uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), counter-UAS (cUAS), and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). It serves U.S. law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency management agencies, as well as departments of transportation, critical infrastructure operators, and disaster response volunteers. The organization functions as a community and standards platform rather than a product company: it does not develop proprietary hardware or software, and its core capabilities are educational, regulatory advocacy, and peer coordination. Its flagship offering is the UNITE (UAS National Initiative for Training and Education) program, which delivers online courses (Leadership Series INITIATE/NAVIGATE/AVIATE priced at $149-$199; UAS Maintenance, Enforcing Drone Laws, and Aviation Risk Management courses), hands-on training at agency locations, NIST standardized test method proctor courses, and FAA Part 107 Exam Prep in partnership with Pilot Institute. The organization also operates the world's first geo-referenced Public Safety UAS Program Directory, developed with Esri and NASA Ames Research Institute, and hosts eight state coordination groups (ALGRU, CALGRU, GAGRU, OKGRU, OHGRU, NCGRU, FLOGRU, TEXGRU) plus seven working groups (AAM, DFR, cUAS, Floatation Device, SAR, TAK, Women DRONERESPONDERS).

Name

DRONERESPONDERS

Legal name

AIRT, Inc.

Website

https://droneresponders.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

DRONERESPONDERS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit program of AIRT that delivers standardized UAS training, regulatory advocacy, and peer community coordination for U.S. law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency management agencies adopting drones, counter-UAS, and Advanced Air Mobility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Safety Aviation Training

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

akta.pro primary industry

UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense (IMABAIAG)

Keywords

• Public safety UAS
• Drone training programs
• Counter-drone education
• First responder aviation
• FAA Part 107 prep

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Training and Course Fees: Revenue generated from paid online courses (Leadership Series at $99-$199 per course, UAS Maintenance at $99, Enforcing Drone Laws at $99, Aviation Risk Management at $149), FAA Part 107 Exam Prep courses through Pilot Institute partnership, and hands-on training sessions. Fees support the non-profit's educational mission and training delivery costs.
2. Events and Conferences: Revenue from event sponsorships and registrations for major conferences including OHCON (Ohio Public Safety UAS Conference), TEXCON (Texas Public Safety UAS Conference), and co-located events at Commercial UAV Expo. Sponsorship tiers offer brand visibility to decision-makers and first responders.
3. Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an online store selling branded merchandise including polos, jackets, tumblers, apparel, and accessories. Prices range from $25-$110 per item.
4. Eric Talley Award Sponsorships: Organizations sponsor the annual Eric Talley Public Safety UAS Excellence Award, contributing airfare, hotel, software licenses, training opportunities, equipment, and general funding for award recipients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

DRONERESPONDERS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) program that delivers standardized training, certification, conferences, and community resources for public safety agencies deploying UAS, cUAS, and Advanced Air Mobility operations. Core offerings include the UNITE Online Training Initiative, NIST-aligned test methods training, FAA Part 107 prep, the UAS Program Directory, state coordination groups, working groups, and annual conferences (OHCON and TEXCON). Customers are public safety agencies, emergency services departments, critical infrastructure operators, and UAS program managers, with revenues from course fees, conferences, sponsorships, and merchandise.

Product overview

DRONERESPONDERS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) program under AIRT that serves as the world's leading organization advancing public safety UAS, cUAS, and Advanced Air Mobility. The organization operates as a platform-plus-programs model centered on its UNITE training initiative, which provides comprehensive UAS education through online courses, hands-on training, and custom programs. The product portfolio includes the Leadership Series (INITIATE, NAVIGATE, AVIATE) for program managers, NIST Training for standardized proficiency testing, and 107 Exam Prep in partnership with Pilot Institute. The organization coordinates through eight State Coordination Groups (ALGRU, CALGRU, GAGRU, OKGRU, OHGRU, NCGRU, FLOGRU, TEXGRU) and multiple Working Groups (AAM, DFR, cUAS, SAR, Floatation Device, TAK, Women DRONERESPONDERS). Additional offerings include the monthly Public Safety Drone Review webinar, the Eric Talley Public Safety UAS Excellence Award, the State Ambassador Program, the UAS Program Directory (developed with Esri and NASA), the weekly newsletter, and annual conferences (OHCON and TEXCON). The organization does not offer a commercial software product or API.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UNITE (UAS National Initiative for Training and Education): A training initiative dedicated to equipping responders with the knowledge and skills necessary to harness drone technology for life-saving operations through expert-led instruction, hands-on training, and accessible online courses.

Products and services

• UNITE Online Training Initiative Online training platform delivering standardized public safety UAS, cUAS, and Advanced Air Mobility education through multiple curriculum tracks including leadership, NIST methods, Part 107 prep, and specialty courses. Designed for public safety agencies, emergency services departments, and UAS program managers.
• Leadership Series (INITIATE, NAVIGATE, AVIATE) Three-course leadership curriculum (INITIATE 100, NAVIGATE 201, AVIATE 301) for current and aspiring public safety UAS program managers. Teaches the skills needed to build, manage, and lead a public safety drone program.
• NIST Standard Test Methods Training Training program covering the NIST Standard Test Methods for small UAS, enabling public safety agencies to standardize testing and evaluation of their drone equipment and pilots.
• FAA Part 107 Exam Prep Course Online prep course delivered in partnership with Pilot Institute to prepare students for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification exam. Aimed at commercial UAS pilots and public safety personnel.
• Unmanned Aircraft System Maintenance Course Self-paced online course priced at $99 covering UAS maintenance and repair for public safety and commercial operators. Teaches routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of unmanned aircraft systems.
• Aviation Risk Management Course Online course priced at $149 covering aviation risk management principles for public safety UAS programs. Designed for program managers and pilots managing operational risk in drone deployments.
• Enforcing Drone Laws Course Online course priced at $99 covering the legal enforcement of drone-related laws. Aimed at law enforcement personnel responsible for investigating drone incidents and enforcing airspace regulations.
• UAS Program Directory Geo-referenced public directory of public safety UAS programs across the United States, hosted on Esri ArcGIS and NASA PlusPRIME infrastructure. Used by agencies, regulators, and the public to identify and locate active public safety drone programs.
• OHCON Conference Annual public safety drone conference hosted by DRONERESPONDERS featuring speakers, equipment demonstrations, and vendor exhibits. Open to public safety agencies, government personnel, and industry partners.
• TEXCON Conference Annual public safety drone conference hosted by DRONERESPONDERS featuring speakers, equipment demonstrations, and vendor exhibits. Focused on the public safety and emergency services community.

Quantifiable outcome

• DFR programs return responding ground units on approximately 25% of incident responses, improving resource efficiency and officer safety.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• LiveUcoreTechnology or Integration · 12 May 2026LiveU, a provider of live IP-video solutions, partnered with DRONERESPONDERS to integrate resilient, high-quality live video transmission into drone operations for first responders. The collaboration includes joint educational programming through webinars and the UNITE training program, as well as operational demonstrations of LiveU's portable encoders integrated with public safety drone platforms at US conferences. The partnership aims to enhance situational awareness and decision-making during critical incidents using LiveU's LRT protocol for encrypted video streaming over aggregated cellular, WiFi, and satellite networks.
• National Real Time Crime Center Association (NRTCCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026National operations agreement established on March 12, 2026 at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, to form a working group focused on integrating Drone as First Responder programs with real-time crime center operations. The partnership is focused on policy development, governance, staffing models, technology integration, and sustainable program design for interoperability between DFR and RTCC operations.
• EsricoreTechnology or IntegrationDRONERESPONDERS partnered with Esri to develop the world's first comprehensive geo-referenced directory of public safety and emergency services drone programs. The Public Safety UAS Directory (hosted on Esri ArcGIS) enables agencies to list their programs and facilitates coordination, program development, training, and mutual assistance between jurisdictions.
• NASA Ames Research InstitutecoreTechnology or IntegrationDRONERESPONDERS partnered with NASA Ames Research Institute alongside Esri to develop the geo-referenced Public Safety UAS Program Directory. NASA contributes research expertise to the directory's design and interoperability framework.
• Pilot InstitutecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDRONERESPONDERS partnered with Pilot Institute — America's Leading Drone School — to offer a specialized FAA Part 107 Exam Prep and Certificate of Authorization (COA) course designed for First Responders and Emergency Services Professionals. The course features 15 hours of engaging videos and includes free access to the DRONERESPONDERS resource center, discussion boards, and special events.
• AIRT (Airborne International Response Team)coreOthersAIRT is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that hosts the DRONERESPONDERS program. AIRT's Drones For Good campaign supports disaster response and humanitarian drone operations. EIN: 37-1866102.
• DRONELIFEmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerDRONERESPONDERS co-hosts the monthly Public Safety Drone Review webinar with DRONELIFE. This free monthly resource for the public safety community features expert speakers on counter-UAS, DFR, AAM, and regulatory topics with audience Q&A.
• Commercial Drone AlliancemoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerDRONERESPONDERS participates in the Commercial Drone Alliance's American Drone Leadership Summit. Director Chief Charles Werner moderated a breakout panel at the 2026 summit. The alliance organizes industry events that serve as platforms for DRONERESPONDERS outreach and education.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRONERESPONDERS is a key partner in the development, validation, and nationwide adoption of NIST test methods for response robots. The organization supports organizations in integrating NIST benchmarks into drone programs and hosts NIST Proctor Courses across the country. DRONERESPONDERS collaborated on over 50 ASTM International Standard Test Methods for ground, aerial, and maritime unmanned systems.
• GoAERO PrizeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoAERO Prize, a global competition for Emergency Response Flyers, partnered with AIRT and DRONERESPONDERS to elevate aerial emergency response innovations. DRONERESPONDERS contributes subject matter expertise and community outreach to support the competition's goals.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmbry-Riddle partnered with AIRT to study public safety and emergency use of drones, leveraging the DRONERESPONDERS program to understand how first-responder sUAS operations are integrating into public safety workflows.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Drone U: Commercial drone training and pilot coaching company offering online courses, in-person bootcamps, and a paid membership community. Comparable as a paid UAS education platform competing for the same program-manager and public-safety practitioner audience.
• DARTdrones: National drone training and consulting firm (formerly Drone Pilot Academy) focused on Part 107 prep, enterprise sUAS program setup, and public safety/inspection verticals. Comparable as a commercial counterpart delivering structured UAS training to agencies.
• Pilot Institute: America's leading online drone training school offering Part 107 prep and commercial sUAS curricula. Directly comparable as a UAS training provider; also an active distribution partner of DRONERESPONDERS' Part 107 course, making it both peer and channel partner.
• UAV Coach: Online drone training and Part 107 prep provider with free and paid tiers. Comparable as a digital-first UAS education business targeting new and commercial pilots, including public safety entrants.
• Commercial Drone Alliance: Industry alliance organizing the American Drone Leadership Summit and advocating on UAS policy. Comparable as a convening body that DRONERESPONDERS actively participates in, with overlapping regulatory advocacy missions.
• AUVSI (Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International): The principal US industry association for unmanned systems, including advocacy, training (Trusted Operator Program), and events such as XPONENTIAL. Most comparable to DRONERESPONDERS as a membership-driven UAS ecosystem organization, though broader across commercial and defense rather than public-safety-only.

Others

• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Federal standards body that co-developed the response-robot test methods DRONERESPONDERS trains proctors to administer. Comparable as the upstream standards-setter whose framework DRONERESPONDERS operationalizes into the public safety market.

Emerging players

• DRONELIFE: Drone industry media outlet that co-hosts the monthly Public Safety Drone Review webinar with DRONERESPONDERS. Comparable as a community-facing content and events platform reaching the same UAS professional audience.

Broad incumbents

• AIRT (Airborne International Response Team): The 501(c)(3) parent non-profit that houses the DRONERESPONDERS program. Directly comparable as the umbrella organization behind Drones For Good disaster response and humanitarian UAS deployments, sharing mission, leadership, and infrastructure.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Major aeronautical university that partnered with AIRT to study public safety UAS integration. Comparable as a higher-education institution building curriculum, research, and credentialing in the same UAS public-safety domain.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/droneresponders
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmVwccu9sQ-9ndk9Srfks4g
• Facebookfacebook.com/droneresponders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/35661102
• Instagraminstagram.com/droneresponders

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DRONERESPONDERS