Essential Aero

Operation of critical infrastructure, including airfields, is human centric. Operators of this infrastructure are finding it harder to hire, train, and retain than ever before. Post-COVID, the pool of qualified candidates has decreased dramatically and some of these positions require drug testing, further whittling down the field. Operators are not able to keep pace with current expectations and regulatory requirements let alone grow capacity for the future. The fact is, human centric processes are not scalable. Airports and airlines are breaking passenger travel and capacity records, exceeding pre-COVID levels. Operations groups are unable to scale their operations to keep up. All constituents agree that automation is the only viable solution.

• We have 3 primary customer segments:
• USAF
• 4 contract awards totaling $2.5M since Feb 2023, potential for $4M in 2026, and $10M+ in 2027
• First autonomous system on the USAF flightline, selected for the "Base of the Future"
• USAF base committed funds to deploy FOD-Bot in Q126 as a Phase III
• FAA
• 3 contract awards totaling $400k since 2022
• Contracted by FAA to develop Flight Inspection program (ILS & VGSI) using UAS (drones)
• Only commercial flight operation approved by FAA to fly drones over active runways
• Airports
• Contract revenue from ADR, largest airport operator in Italy
• Daily operations on Montgomery-Gibbs airport in San Diego, trials pending at Oxnard, Camarillo, Glendale.
• Growing pipeline of airport interest and requests for demonstrations