About Us

Dave served in the Marine Corps as an instrument-rated helicopter pilot, flight instructor, UAS weapons & tactics instructor, UAS standardization evaluator, UAS operations manager, UAS operational test pilot, UAS systems engineer, UAS program manager, UAS Government Flight Representative (GFR), and DARPA Fellow. He volunteers as an FAA Safety Team (FAAST) Representative and DronePro. 

Dave holds a Bachelor of Computer Science, Master of Business Administration, and graduate certificates in Project Management and Systems Engineering. His professional certifications include DAWIA Level II  in Test and Evaluation and Program Management.

500 of Dave's 1500 flight hours are with unmanned systems, including Groups 1, 3, and 5 aircraft. He has flown day and night, in peacetime and in war, on land and at sea, line-of-sight and across the world. He has managed FAA COAs, NOTAMs, and FCC spectrum allocations. He has also built organizational standard operating procedures (SOPs) from the ground up, managing a continuous training program for 50 aircrew and 100 maintainers for a fleet of 12 air vehicles.

Dave applies his professionalism to every job. Every flight is conducted under a professional contract with insurance and FAA authorization. He uses U.S. equipment and cybersecurity best-practices, so your data is safe.

Dave is based in Leonardtown, MD. Let him be your drone pilot of choice.

Paladin Automation LLC wants to be your Drone Service Provider of choice. Come find out why we are Southern Maryland's Favorite Drone Pilots!