UAS News Podcast — 2012-10-31
Transcript
Alright. Hello everyone. Welcome to another episode of the UAS News Podcast. I'm your host, Patrick Egan, and as always our co-host, Gene Robinson.
I'm going to start with Gene up there. Yes, I am. Made it in just in time. You did make it in just in the nick of time.
And notice I'm Skyping in again. I'm Skyping in from White Sands Missile Range. I actually picked up range. My Skype told me it was unavailable.
It's like about four seconds on the clock, so it was crumbling. But it always works out that way. Anyway, so I'm going to start with Gene. So I'm right ahead here with the program.
You know, first thing I want to talk about is the Flyin' Show, and I can kind of assist with you, Gene, but for the audience, we have passed 21,000 loads for that Flyin' Show alone. And the series itself, we've had more than 110,000 loads since May. What do you think about that, Gene?
Well, you know, that is just indicative of the information that people are really looking for for use of unmanned aircraft. It's as we start gaining momentum, it's just going to continue, and I think we're going to get a larger and larger following because we're out there doing it. We're actually out there using it. We're developing the technology.
So I just see it getting bigger and better. I do. I agree with that notion, sir. And, you know, following in those footsteps of the Flyin' Show, we're live from an Apple R training event that you're at, and we will, you know, that's going to be today's show, but we'll talk a little bit about some other things going on.
I'm getting to that. I mean, that's exciting news for the August. I mean, it blows me to tell you, when we started this thing, I figured that 500, 600 downloads a week, you know, we could build up to that. And I just, you know, when I look and look now, 10,000 downloads a week or 1,000 downloads a week, it's, I'm not sure.
So I'm hoping onward, but I think that you're right. I think people are really, you know, want to know more about this field. Obviously, when we're getting those types of downloads, it's got to be people from the immediate circle. It goes to mind to you when you think about the sound numbers, Gene, besides what you said.
Okay, Patrick, I hate to tell you this, but your comms are pretty bad right now. We're having a hard time picking you up over here, breaking up on tonight. So if you have any questions, speak very slowly so we can understand you. You know that you're out at the light band, but cell phone feather is probably running pretty hard.
You'll get to see an engine-powered cell phone. Well, I'm actually doing it via satellite, so that's why. But anyway, I will try and slow down a little bit. I guess we can move right into the show's title for today.
Okay, and you talk a little bit about what you're doing down there at that Star Trek exercise. Yeah, that'd be great because we just took a break. I am here with Chris Onyans. He is from the United Kingdom.
That would be great for Britain for you guys out there that need to know. We have been discussing use of unmanned aircraft for certain issues, and he is over here doing that very thing. He's training folks and imparting his skill and his expertise to some folks here over the state side and sharing that knowledge. So I think it would be a good idea, a little bit of a change, and continue, that if you could go live into talking to Chris on some of the things that he's seen, we'll go from there.
What do you think about that? Well, that sounds good. Maybe he could prime him on that and get him set up to talk about a little bit of what he's doing, and we'll just let him go for a while. Okay, well, I'll tell you what.
I'm going to go ahead and introduce Chris, and I'll let him get a little bit of a bio on himself. Excellent. And he can talk about some of the things that we've discussed so far. I've got a question.
Go ahead, Matt. So with that, I'm going to introduce Chris Hynes. Here he is. Hey, Patrick.
I'm Chris. I'm on the phone. How are you?
Good, sir. Maybe give the audience a little bit about yourself, a little bio, how you get her. The cons are a little ago, but I guess, I'm actually calling White Sands. We'll just have to kind of muddle through.
If you could go ahead and give us that bio, we'd be interested in hearing it. Sure. No problem, Patrick. I can understand you.
No problem at all. Well, I'm Chris Hynes. I'm here from the United Kingdom over in Wimberley, Texas. I'm having a fantastic time.
I'm here courtesy of Rescue 3 International, who brought me over as part of their technical rescue conference that they've hosted here in collaboration with Wimberley Rescue. Those guys have laid on some fantastic venues and done fantastic demonstrations of current rescue practice over here to the delegates. So myself, my background is full-time. I work for training providers for Rescue 3 UK, and we provide swift-water rescues and rescue from heights training to the emergency services.
Our clients back in the UK, particularly the Fire and Rescue Service, the police, law enforcement agency, and voluntary search and rescue organizations. Specifically, I've been brought over here by Rescue 3 International to talk about how we can incorporate some really sound search and rescue practice that has actually been developed here over in the state, but that hasn't necessarily been incorporated into water rescue practice.
And that's my impact, really. With taking all that sound practice and putting it into the flooded environment and the swift-water environment, how we can use our resources, which are very limited to the best effect, to find our missing victims immediately.
So that's my impression. That's why I'm here. And I must say that it's very productive and very beneficial practice. Excellent.
Now, you're from Wales, is that correct? That's correct, Patrick. Yes, I'm from Wales. Now, they do have a center up there.
I believe they're doing some testing in Wales for unmanned craft. Are you aware of that?
Actually, no. You know, this is a whole new field for me, and I've had my eyes opened today by Dean, and it's the ability of the facilities in back in Wales to do some testing. And that's used to me, it's been really helpful. Yes, I'm pretty sure they're doing some, they have a range up there, and they do testing, and they do some flooding everywhere else, and, you know, we'll have to get you that information, because
I think that you could probably take the information back with you, and be able to work with those guys, and, you know, be applying some of this unmanned aircraft and some of the lessons learned here, and bring that home.
What do you think about that? Do you recognize that?
Well, absolutely, Patrick. I think, you know, one of the things that's just so apparent from today, and the potential that Gene showed us with these non-piloted crafts is that you can gain so much intelligence from a hazardous environment without actually exposing anybody to a risk, and then having gained the intelligence, you're then in a really good position to make a plan. And, yes, if we can incorporate that into our strategies, we're certainly going to do so. Absolutely fantastic opportunity, I think.
Yes, well, we'll get that information for you. And then I would ask you to, I mean, I don't know if you guys, I know you were in the classroom, and have you had the chance to go out in the field yet with Gene?
Yes, absolutely. Gene's going to take us out into the field, and we're going to use some handheld GPSs, and we're just going to take some data off the PC. We're going to plug it into a GPS, and we're going to go and see what's at the end of it. So this is going to enable the students to, having a classroom session, take them on the series, and actually go and put a foot out, some kind of real-world context.
So, yes, we're going to go and do that right after this is finished. Excellent. Well, maybe you could put a check on, because I want to kind of get the lie of the land, what plans to do, and then maybe some more information from you later on, exactly what's happening out in the field. Okay, that sounds good.
Okay, thank you, sir. Thank you, Patrick, very much. Gene, are you there?
Hello, Patrick. We had a little bit of a communications lag there again. Just got to, you know, we're working with the best that technology has to offer, IBM satellite. So that was pretty interesting, like I said, we'll definitely have to try and put him in, like I said, there's a center, I believe, in which we'll have to put him in touch with those people and see if he can take some of these lessons learned back home with him.
But what I'm kind of hoping that you could do, Gene, is possibly give us a lie of the land for today. I know you've got it in the classroom. I know you're getting ready to go out in the field. Could you please explain to the audience what's going on?
Sure, we've laid out a plan that you would normally use in a search situation, and this would be a land search. We are taking aerial imagery that was collected some time ago, but it's still relevant enough for us to be able to use out here that was done locally. And we have some targets that we can see in the images, and we are using some very simple tools like Google Earth, Microsoft Image Viewer, some things that are free or relatively cheap or people are already used to. And we're going to take some of those aerial images, and we're going to overlay them onto Google.
And as we trace them over the landscape, that gives us flat and long. It gives us heading. It gives us the altitude that the object is at. And from that, we'll be able to dispatch the team in a very directed fashion.
We'll go out into the field. They'll have handheld GPS units, rhinos, communication devices of that sort, and we'll be able to direct them via the images that we've taken via the unmanned aircraft right directly to that target that we picked up when we scanned the images and the safety and comfort of our mobile command unit. So as Craig said, what this does is this kind of closes the circle. We've talked about theory.
We've talked about how you can use unmanned aircraft imagery, and we've talked about different sensors that could be brought to bear. And we're going to take that same information, and we're going to go out in the field with it, and we're going to put it to practical use. And the delegates here that came from the training will be able to close the circle on that, go out and find it and see how efficient using this sort of data can be in certain situations. And we've been talking about putting together an application course.
You and David, you're putting it now, today. Am I doing that?
You are correct. I think this is kind of a testing of the waters for us. So far, all the folks that have sat through my ramblings on flying unmanned aircraft and collecting imagery have hit home in a lot of places. We've got a lot of good feedback, and you guys are already saying if we have this win and being able to apply it to real-life situations that they've been in, and that goes well for putting together a curriculum based on this sort of information.
You're right. And I mean, even from what I heard from Chris's statement, he sounds as if that's what the technology is talking about. And is that the best way to do that?
And I think that's what the technology is talking about. And is that the back you're getting, or are people, are they pretty receptive to what you're talking about?
Oh, absolutely receptive and wondering how come it's not being wider and greater used right now. And of course, we've had to explain why that is the case. And again, they're wondering where the common sense has gone, and it's not for us to decide or to get into really because regulations are what they are. But they think that it should be out there, and it should be out there in the hands of first responders right now.
I would agree with that. And you mentioned that because I wanted to do it being Halloween, Halloween-themed show, howling, and witch cackling. I don't know if we have any people to tell us FAA horror stories, but there were too many stories we heard through, so we did this instead. You are correct.
We've got a few of our own that are pretty scary, that's for sure. And I think this is another friendly episode. And as we look at the devastation that left in the wake of Sandy, I mean, I know there are a lot of people out there that are frustrated. There are people in the area that are willing to, that have unmanned systems that are willing to take photos of New Jersey and New York and areas.
If anyone thinks they could use that, there's people that do these services for free. And you can email me or Patrick at suadnews.com. You've got to work all the regulatory stuff out. There are people that are willing to come out and do photos and do assessments.
It's really true that we don't have better regulations where people can go out there right now and see people and do all the other jobs, just what you can do. I don't want to get too far off the turn that's us because I don't really need more frustration in my life. But I'm sure, Gene, you can see a million uses for work here in the aftermath of Sandy. So absolutely, with the experience that we have with Katrina, it's so similar.
Ingress, egress, what obstacles are there? And I could probably name half of those pilots who are still out right now. The phase of law enforcement in those folks. Of course, I understand now that NASA says that ICANA is standing by and ready to assist.
So that everybody's going to be not flying in aircraft. Right. Well, we'll have to see what happens there. It would be nice to get these systems in the air and help these people out.
There's a lot of work that needs to be done there. So I guess, like I said, not getting too far off the path on that one. You guys are going to go out onto the fold. Do you have a set up?
Is this imagery of stuff that you've been using before? How's that going to work today, Gene?
Well, I'm familiar enough with the properties that we're going to be going on. It's about 125 acres. And I'm familiar with landmarks and items that are out there currently and been out there for several years. So the scenario is that we take one of those images, overlay it on Google Earth, and then we'll be able to plot our way in safely.
And then we'll use the handhelds to use the lap and long coordinates that we've seen when we've set the overlay on Google Earth, and we'll go in and we'll actually tag each one of those items or the item that we select as being cleared as a target that has been cleared by the search team, which is very similar to what you'd do with an incident command situation where it was a large scale search. You would have to do that. You would have to do that data reporting back so that it could be cleared off.
It's a very methodical and scientific method. People think that search and rescue is a bunch of guys going out there, and they stomp through the fields and try to find stuff. But there is a science to this. And it's been studied and researched significantly.
There's lost person behavior, the Alzheimer's patients, the children. They all react in a similar fashion. And this has been recorded, and this is the type of knowledge that you impart and that you use in conjunction with the tools that are available to you. And our new rule of play just happens to be an unmanned aircraft.
And we're going to highlight that in the data input. It will go out there, clear, very quickly clear a target that it picked up. Right. And you're laying out, as we do every week, more gold.
We've been warning up the snake oil salespeople and whatever else, laying out those warnings about getting information from people that have experience in this field. And the stuff that you're talking about there, those victim behaviors, those are things that you've plugged into your equation that are in the book. And really, the book, it should be a textbook. I know it is going to be for our program.
But I mean, I ask you every week, any feedback from the book? Do people in this class, do they have a chance to pick up your book and at least read parts and pieces, if not the whole thing?
Well, when I passed it out at the beginning of the class, there were guys that were deep into it. By the time I was 15 minutes talking to them, and they were on Chapter 3 when I was still on Chapter 1. So to say that the feedback has been positive is an understatement. I think that these guys identify with it.
It's been put together in such a fashion that they can take the science that they've learned and incorporate the tool, and they haven't lost anything. They've gained everything. So yeah, it has been very, very well received. I'm very encouraged by the actual live use by the questions on the field.
Right, and that's the testament right there. We really do gel up on our work, which we've been trying to do. I've been busy. You know, you've been really busy too.
And there are some other current events that hopefully we will be able to discuss in this program. But I'm glad to hear that feedback. I'm glad to see that people actually delve into your book and actually pull useful items out of that, and hopefully something that they can visualize in their own work. And even this meeting that you're at, I know it's an international thing.
Where are the other folks coming from? Yeah, I'm Chris back here again because I'm probably in the best position to answer where the other delegates have come from. Basically, we've got people from Oregon. We've got people from California.
And we've got other delegates from Texas. And of course, I'm from the UK, and I'm here to learn too. But also, more importantly, within the wider conference that's here in Winsorley currently, we've got people from Australia and people across from Europe. So it's got a truly international feel to it.
And the important thing about this is I'm within the rescue training world, and I'm exposed to a huge amount of delegates from Europe. So I'm in a good position to further that chain and employ people who are tools, such as the one that's been showing us today and the techniques associated with it to a much wider audience. And it's something that we don't use in the UK. And I can't explain why that is, but I'm in a good position to practically close people to technology, which is kind of what it's all about, really.
Well, and the other thing is your Latest Aviation Award there in the UK are actually, and I've talked to them, I met them on several occasions, that a level unmanned aircraft is flying. And they're actually a pretty good bunch of people there. And they're very pragmatic and straightforward. And I think that if you embrace this technology, you'd have a better chance of using it all over the UK, a better chance than we do here in the United States.
I don't want to get in the weeds too far on that one, but there are a bunch of people there. And if you decide to move forward, that's another connection that we could probably touch with. But I did want to ask you, now that you're back, and I had asked Gene how the book was going, and I was just curious, Chris, you got to read any of Gene's book at first into play. And if you could give kind of an impromptu, you know, as a purview, what you think of it?
Well, you know, I've yet to read any of the book, and I apologize for that deficit on my behalf. But I've met Gene on a couple of occasions, and we've chatted around this subject. And it's very evident that there's, you know, a genuine passion for that use and application of technology to the best benefit of missing subjects. And the sad reality is that it's also at times the best application of the technology to the families of deceased victims as well.
And that's really key, I think. You know, sometimes we have to remember those that are left behind. And this is an application that's helping out in numerous documented cases across the U.S. So it's hugely important that we're dealing with a situation here that has a body of evidence to support it.
And that's got to be very positive. Right. The exposure for the family is very important too. And I know you've been doing this for years too.
And I read some of those case studies in Gene's book. They're really kind of heart-wrenching. But I guess for the family at least, you know, they can closure and know what's happened. You've made the point for us.
That's good to say. Yes. Yes. Well, and so I dropped there for a second.
I don't know if you realize that or not. But I keep calling in via satellite. So we've got to go with what technology we've got here. I don't know.
So, you know, any other thing we'd like to add about the class? Basically, I'm just going to conclude here with a thing. And we've just got a bunch of students up there inside the classroom at the minute. And they're just chomping at the thing to do some further work with Gene.
And then we're going to get out in the field that Gene has described. And what all this was in a real-world process. And that's really important to have expected. That we're just not giving students the theory.
But we're also showing them in the real world what that application is. It's called social games with that R. So I think we're going to go and pass on that to them. Yes, well, that real-world application, and I think better than any other form of instruction, when you get guys out there and you start applying the concept, that they're talking about right there in the field, putting A to be equaling C is the way to go.
So I appreciate that feedback. Maybe if Gene's back there, we can ask him some more questions. Is he here?
Gene's just here. I'm just going to pass you across to him. Okay, thank you. Okay, come back, Patrick.
All right. Well, it sounds good. I did drop out there once again. Satellite calls.
But it sounds like everything we've been kind of talking about, the path is kind of reaffirming those notions, a class. It seems very interested in what you've been showing them. And it sounds like they're definitely starting making the connection. Yep, I think that we're going to probably have to get these guys mobilized pretty quick, because we've let them sit up there for a while with their own devices.
And as we were leaving, they were tuning up their GPS and their Rhino radios to get out there in the field and find our first target. So we were trying to get out there a little earlier, so we would be able to do this from the field as we were doing that. So we're about as close as we can be without actually being in the field. But it is from the field in the sense that we did start our training program.
We did start a class in it, and it has been very well received. And this final bit of closing the loop, I think, will probably hammer home everything that we've learned. Okay, well, I mean, I don't want to only have too long. The only other thing I wanted to talk about, there were more things that we wanted to talk about real quick about that hearing that you were at last week.
Is it possible for you to talk a little bit about that? Sure. We went to the hearing that was put on by Ted Poe, Congressman Ted Poe of Houston, and it was attended by several other congresspeople, one from California, one from Georgia, and another one from Texas, whose names state me at the moment. I'd have to look at my notes.
But as inquiries or panels go, it was very well organized, very orchestrated, and each person had four to five minutes to talk on the panel. The first four were academics, and they were very happy to discuss philosophy and theorize on laws and privacy. The second panel, of course, included Gretchen West of AUBSI, and she did her best to try to dispel that we aren't going out trying to take pictures
of folks in their backyard. There were two other law enforcement agencies represented that didn't indicate one way or the other whether they really wanted to use the UA or that they have the Texas Rangers' maximum use of them.
Harris County SO has not used them and doesn't intend to use them. So it was very interesting to hear those sorts of comments come from those chiefs. One of the things that was really surprising, though, as the academics began discussing privacy issues and those sorts of legal implications and law that was in place, the gentleman from Georgia happened to liken or compare our small unmanned aircraft to my own. Our small unmanned aircraft is a semi-automatic weapon.
I promptly almost fell out of my chair on that one. But his idea was that small unmanned aircraft should be, at the very least, licensed like a semi-automatic weapon, which was kind of an eye-opener. And the bill, 6199, that the federal has proposed was indicated to be a rather crude pass at the privacy law concerning unmanned aircraft. It was pointed out by one of the honorable congressmen there that this was a placeholder.
And it was to be filled out after it was passed, which to me was the case of Nancy Pelosi saying we need to pass this bill to find out what's in it. That didn't sit well with me then. And the idea that this bill is a privacy placeholder to be filled out at a later date, that really doesn't sit too well with me from a transparency standpoint or from a representation standpoint. No, not at all.
It's going to be interesting to see how this bill plays out. But if anyone is interested, it is House Bill 6199 authored by the congressman Ted Poe of Houston. I would suggest very strongly that you put that on your radar and watch it, because it could significantly impact what we do in that they are indicating that you would be required to have a warrant or any law enforcement agency would be required to obtain a warrant before any unmanned aircraft flight could be performed for any reason. That's pretty scary stuff.
And it being Halloween and all that, that is really scary. I mean, that would just think it would be the coup de grace for this entry here domestically. Well, that was the scariest story I could come up with. And let me tell you what, my hair is still standing on end.
Yeah, unfortunately, this industry is, I think we're going to be fighting the uphill battles now for a while to come. I think that the search and rescue things that are going on and you guys are doing today, I think are the best avenue for this technology in the immediate future. I don't think that anyone can deny that. You know, I mentioned that slide.
I don't know if you had the opportunity to reference that slide at the hearing that talked about people's acceptance of this technology, search and rescue and other uses that they weren't really too, let's say, apprehensive about their privacy issues. Were you able to use any of that information or no?
Unfortunately, it was so well orchestrated and all answers and testimony had to be submitted and approved before you were even allowed to speak. So from what I understand, it took quite a bit to get Gretchen West on one of those panels as a representative of the industry. Of course, you had the Electronic Foundation was on there, Frontier EFF was on, and they were as prepared as they usually are and stated that the privacy issue is a major concern and that it should be addressed through this bill.
So obviously, they support it. It's just frustrating to not be able to get the information out that we see on a daily basis that we can put into practice, that as Chris said, the body of evidence is there, that it works. And as you've mentioned, that one slide that the Pew polls, the polls are popular right now because it's election week, so we'll call the Pew poll and say that 80% of the people approve of SAR use or unmanned aircraft use in a SAR situation. 80%! That's a big number.
It's a very big number. And the thing with that too is, you know, it's funny, talking to Chris, he's just been exposed to this. And actually, Gary sent me the name of the test range up there in Wales and it's Aberpource. Aberpource, I think I'm pronouncing it correctly.
You can pass that on to Chris. And then also my email, and we'll get on those connections at UKCAA. But it's kind of ironic because he's just being exposed to this technology, thinks it's great. You've been doing it for years, and he can actually go back there and probably make it an easier time getting the UKA to authorize flights for search and rescue than you can.
Yeah, I agree. You know, it goes right on back to the FAA leading the way. And it's like, I don't even, it's not like I take any pleasure in beating up on the FAA on this deal. It's just absurd.
It's really bizarre. I mean, what is the craft that you use, what does it weigh, Gene, your primary workforce?
Our primary aircraft weighs 4.4 pounds as it has been dictated from the very beginning. And we have actually like doubled them a bit. It weighs, it's exactly 4 pounds with an EO sensor in 50 to 60 percent. So the risk mitigation could be there.
MITRE did all the impact studies and kinetic energy stuff. So it's really a mystery to me why something like that is outlining around right now with these groups. Well, you know, we've gone back and forth on those and on speculating on the reasons and some of them known and some unknown. But I will say that the feedback I'm getting about the podcast series is there are a lot of people that are finding this podcast series, obviously, with the downloads that we've had.
And they're listening to this information and we are opening a lot of people. And I think as this grows and the audience grows, we're going to be reaching people that hopefully have the air of people that make laws like Congress and make policy on FEMA and DHS and all the rest of that. I know we're actually starting to get some traction now with DHS, et cetera. And as we move into the future, Gene, I think we're going to be right out there on the cutting edge trying to get people to accept this technology.
And I think if the general public can see what it can do and the different ways that it can be used, they may just come to their senses and realize that EFF and ACLU are going to use this as this issue as a way to generate funding and donations and whatever else. Do you agree with that?
I completely agree with that. If we could get mainstream media to pick up on some of the positive aspects of what we're doing, I think that you'd see public perception and attitude change dramatically. I would agree with that. And plus, we've got to get them educated on the EOIR sensors that are being used on manned police assets now.
And the same thing with the manned police assets now. They don't have to have a search warrant to use those. They fly around all the time and they're doing everything. And I think that that's another thing that we can move further into the future ourselves.
And this will probably get stolen too. Privacy best practices. And that's one thing I've noticed is items that we talk about this podcast seem to start creeping up the week or two after we talk about them, which it's a good thing because the whole industry, all the rising tides, all boats, and all the innovation is the best form of flattery. Any comments on that, Gene?
Well, I would like to think that we were being one of the first folks out there since we have been working at it for the last some odd years, working very hard at it. So yeah, I think that there are a lot of folks out there kind of like catch up with us. I would concur with that. And some of those ideas from us, again, as pioneers in the, let's say, advocacy roles, we've put a lot of work and a lot of effort into getting this group or this industry or community to try and, let's say, to be on the long pants and be serious and be smart and be safe.
I think the proof is in the pudding there. All the evidence has been put out from the RCAP and performed in papers written and testimony and work. There's a whole body there. And through that whole time, it's been just the same thing.
So with that said, I'm okay with it. It would be nice to, as we move over here, to see other people fall on the reasonable model. I know out in your travels, who, are you seeing anything else in this, raising an eyebrow for you?
Or you think people are moving in the direction? Well, I did attend a, I was a panelist on an economic impact survey of the unmanned aircraft industry in North Texas near Arlington. And they are very excited about the economic possibilities that unmanned aircraft could bring to their area. We had representatives from the Arlington Police Department.
There was myself. There were some engineers. There were folks from Beltex, obviously. A UDSI was represented.
There was a couple other folks from startup companies that are in UA industry. And the conclusion is that as soon as the government will allow, there will be an industry that is going to literally explode. It's going to take all of us. It's going to provide us with jobs.
And there's going to be a lot of money made and a lot of economic development in those areas that are prepared. And you talk about the things that we've done over the past few years. We've got almost nine years of advocacy and actual use. And I think folks are finding that there's some weight in that.
And we were very well with Steve up there on that one. And it was quite interesting to hear other people's perspectives from a law enforcement standpoint and from a business standpoint. Our host was an incubator, a business incubator. And they are very much embracing this technology, even though they had gotten their feet wet in the medical industry, medical technology, actually.
So it was kind of a natural progression for them to move into the technology of unmanned aircraft. And they're firmly entrenched, thinking this is going to be one of the bigger paths to be on. I agree with that. I think, just one, if we could get some, you know, competence regulation, I think it would explode into perfect wage jobs, jobs for businesses, and then the ancillary.
We're going to go over here. I actually got a meeting. We're going to talk to people who are in that. I love this.
The Economic Development Committee over there that I met in Lubbock. And I know they're very, very interested in technology and having a presence in it. It's bigger than the NS or the New Mexico State University PSL. So I know Texas is hot to try it on this.
A lot of states are. We've talked at Oakla. You talk to Texas. You talk to North Dakota.
There's a lot of states that see the future here. You know, I'm glad we're out there on the cutting edge of that. And another 45 minutes has come and it's fed by a gene. So I know it's amazing.
Thank goodness all of our comms held together, our thought prayers are with the people that have been, you know, subjected to Sandy. Good luck with your thing out in the field. And, you know, until next week, Dean. We will see you then.
Okay. So I look forward to hearing what happened at this. Have a good week. You too.
See you.