The Helicopter Association International (HAI) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Daniels as their special advisor for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). His one-year term began on Jul. 1, 2021. He replaces Dr. Scott Burgess of Embry-Riddle University.

Daniels is the CEO of Praxis Aerospace Concepts International (PACI), a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) headquartered in southern Nevada. PACI provides practical solutions for multi-modal (ground-air-sea-industrial) response robot systems and infrastructure. He has served as an active participant on HAI’s UAS Working Group since 2019.

Jonathan Daniels, Special Advisor for UAS to HAI’s Board of Directors.
“We look forward to having Jonathan join the Board as special advisor for UAS,” says Jim Viola, president and CEO of HAI. “He brings significant regulatory experience to the position, along with knowledge of airworthiness, standardizations, and infrastructure.

Daniels is a cleared advisor for the 2018-2022 Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Aerospace Equipment (ITAC 1) under the US Department of Commerce (DOC) and Office of the Trade Representative (OTR). He is the only FAA-designated airworthiness representative (DAR-F) for UAS in Nevada, serving Function Codes for UAS and OPAs with a GTOW of 12,500 lbs. and below.

Additionally, Daniels is a member-at-large on the Drone Advisory Council Task Group 9 (Low Altitude Airspace for SA using Remote ID), the FAA’s UAS Safety Team (UASST), the ANSI Unmanned Aircraft Systems Standardization Collaborative (UASSC) Steering Committee, the ASTM International/National Fire Protection Association Joint Working Group (AC373), and the ASTM Administrative Committee on BVLOS Strategy and Roadmapping (AC478).

“I also want to thank Scott for his efforts in the advisory role over the past year,” adds Viola. “He also is the Chair of our UAS Working Group, and in both roles, he has provided the Board and industry with valuable insight. We are grateful that he continues to share his knowledge and experience as our industry expands into advanced air mobility (AAM).”