#228: Using Drone Technology to Improve Safety with Zachary Adams, USAFA ‘13

<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">“Academy grads have a special kind of independence and willingness to do things that are really difficult and see things through in the long term…I think that hardens your character and makes you push through…We really want to emphasize some of these core values: to present good opportunities to our team members and do operations in a way that’s honest and in a way that’s not only good for our customers but also benefits the greater good. The Academy has provided really strong values for executing those missions.”</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">- Zachary Adams (USAFA ‘13)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zach Adams</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">is</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">a former F-15E Strike Eagle pilot in the U.S. Air Force</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">and Co-Founder of</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Pitch Aeronautics</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">(Pitch Aero), an</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">unmanned aircraft startup company commercializing cyclorotor propulsion technology to save money and save lives. Zach is applying his doctoral research experience to develop and enable drones to physically interact with surfaces.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Their drone prototype, "Astria" can perform up-close, touch, and robotic tasks that can replace expensive rope, crane, and helicopter access inspections, which are among the most dangerous jobs in America. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this episode, we discuss:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why Pitch Aero is developing a drone to carry out industrial inspections and how the idea was born</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How Pitch Aero’s drone services concrete infrastructure and aids powerline installation</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span s