ZenaTech signs offer to acquire FAA-certified flight school

ZenaTech (ZENA) signed an offer to acquire a Florida-based FAA-certified flight school that trains professional pilots for FAA Part 61 certification to be qualified as an airplane pilot and also for complex BVLOS drone pilot operations. Upon completion, the acquisition will enable the company to build an internal team of Part 61-certified pilots and be positioned as drone regulations evolve and opportunities grow in the DaaS, government, and defense markets, including military contracts that mandate a Part 61 pilot-in-command. Today, the most common commercial drone pilot credential is Part 107, like a drone “drivers’ licence” but without a flight test, it is obtained with only a written test and a few weeks of study. However, there are waivered or special flights that require additional pilot qualifications, such as when operating in restricted airspace, when coordination with air traffic control is required, and for complex BVLOS operations involving longer distances, higher risk, heavier payloads, or more challenging airspace. Some big government or military drone jobs especially ones where the drone flies far beyond the pilot’s view or in special, restricted airspace, require the person in charge of flying to be a licensed manned-aircraft pilot. This is often because the work is complex, involves high-risk areas, or needs close coordination with air traffic control, just like regular airplanes. The FAA is moving toward a new system and drone rules where companies get a standing license to run BVLOS such as for specialized cargo drones, but they must prove they have the right people, training, aircraft, and procedures in place. Pilots will likely need extra BVLOS-specific credentials and larger drones may push the FAA to require Part 61-level training for the people in command.