Robotic Skies Inc., the global maintenance network for commercial unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”), announced that it has hired Andy Osantowske as Director of Operations.
“When I met the Robotic Skies team a few years ago, I saw the brilliance and forethought in the business model. My experience working in the FAA gave me insight to how the regulatory and use cases were evolving for the UAS industry,” said Andy. “When Robotic Skies asked me to join the team, there was no hesitation. I believe in the mission and vision.”
Andy’s early passion for aviation was the impetus for his joining the 127th Maintenance Group, 127th Fighter Wing, Michigan Air National Guard. He later joined the Tennessee Air National Guard’s 118th Maintenance Group and 118th Airlift Wing. He served as an aircraft mechanic on F-16s and C-130s and received the Air Force Achievement Medal for Outstanding Achievement.
While serving in the Guard, he also attended Middle Tennessee State University to study air traffic control. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace flight dispatch and scheduling and participated in the FAA’s Air Traffic Control College Training Initiative Program.
Andy was hired by Lockheed Martin as an air traffic specialist in the Flight Service Station (FSS) program in Fort Worth, Texas. He was promoted to associate operations manager and worked on the development and rollout of the Flight Services online web portal (800wxbrief.com). As the designated operational subject matter expert, he traveled on Lockheed’s educational roadshow to promote the new portal as the quality insurance engineer. He was then hired by Evans Incorporated, a contractor to the FAA, as an air traffic subject matter expert who assisted with the FAA’s efforts to integrate UAS into the National Airspace System. While working with the FAA, he was a member of the Air Traffic Organization’s initial Part 107 team and worked on the FAA’s Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC).
“Andy brings specific skills and experience in the UAS industry to the team that makes him the right fit to help us grow the company. He understands the importance of certified and regulated maintenance for commercial UAS.”