In episode 6 of The Unmanned Podcast, host Matt Hernandez talks with Alice Griffith, Senior Director of State and Commercial Aviation at Crown Innovations (formerly Crown Consulting). Alice shares her unexpected journey into the drone industry—from a background in ground logistics to becoming a leader in unmanned systems strategy and policy.
Q1: How did you get started in the drone industry?
Alice:
I started in ground logistics and worked there for about a decade. Through that work, I met engineers building an autonomous helicopter and they needed help understanding logistics problems. That introduction pulled me into the unmanned aviation space, and over time I shifted fully into the drone industry.
Q2: What moment made you realize drones could have real impact?
Alice:
While interviewing doctors about using drones to transport organs, I learned that cutting just ten minutes off transport time could add a year of life for an organ recipient. That was the moment I realized drones could truly save lives and make a meaningful difference.
Q3: How has the drone industry evolved since you started?
Alice:
The technology has advanced quickly with better platforms and batteries, but regulations have lagged behind. While demand and public acceptance have grown, especially during COVID, the biggest limitation has been the slow pace of regulatory change compared to how fast the technology evolves.
Q4: What role do states play in the future of drone operations?
Alice:
States are trying to figure out how to prepare for and support drone and advanced air mobility operations. Many are creating statewide plans, updating laws, and working with experts to understand their role in low altitude airspace, which is new territory for them.
Q5: Why is training and education so important for the future of drones?
Alice:
As operations become more advanced, especially with beyond visual line of sight and Part 108, pilots and organizations will need standardized training, safety management systems, and structured programs. Education will be critical not just for pilots, but for corporations, schools, and public agencies preparing the future workforce.
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