In-Flight Data, a commercial RPAS (drone) operator, is relocating its headquarters and operations to Okotoks Air Park (CFX2), a certified aerodrome located 12 kilometres south of Calgary’s city limits.

The 2,000-square-foot (185-m²) facility is meant to allow the company to oversee its complex RPAS operations as well as to provide indoor classroom space for RPAS training.

“That airport already has a manned aviation school that is training private and commercial pilots,” said In-Flight founder and CEO Chris Healy. “The Foothills Helicopter Training Academy is also one of our neighbours. With In-Flight now on board, we are building Canada’s first full-circle aviation training campus.”

Okotoks Air Park manager Tim Ulmer is fully on board with this development.

“As we go into the future, the unmanned aircraft sector is going to just be growing,” said Ulmer. “Whether it’s drone deliveries, drone inspections, or perhaps even passenger drones in the future. With In-Flight Data, it’s a natural evolution of the two sectors getting along, cooperating and growing together. From my perspective, this is a perfect fit and we’re thrilled.”

In-Flight Data will have instructors accredited by the DJI Academy, allowing it to offer training developed by DJI, the market leader in drone design and sales.

Photo credit: Droto Photography/Marcel Vajdik