Mark Blanks

@Wing Head of Flight Operations, avid photographer, outdoorsman, and aviation fanatic.

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

I’m routinely amazed by the Wing system’s design and how well optimized it is for the intended purpose. Love seeing this detailed explanation from some of the key designers. https://t.co/nYKTVbcCYH

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

.@keenanwyrobek just delivered to the @ASTMIntl Autonomy in Aviation Symposium an amazing talk on how @zipline is leveraging autonomy to scale unmanned aviation. Very impressive and inspiring to see a company bringing automation to bear on a real-world need.

[Kelly Passek @KPassek]

Get your Library books and other necessities delivered by @Wing and collect your stickers to put on your @mcps_va chromebook! Drone delivery of Library books will continue through the school year! #deliveredbywing

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

Proud to have played a small part in these historic flights and to see the them recognized by the @airandspace museum. Next time I take the kids we’ll have an interesting story to tell!

[Wing @Wing]

Wing drone No.A1229, which launched the 1st residential drone delivery service in the U.S., just landed in the @smithsonian and @airandspace Museum! We began with 3 deliveries on 10/18/19: chocolates, @Walgreens medicine and a @FedEx package. Learn more at https://t.co/VqbvX0cNaR

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

Radio testing may not be as exciting as detect and avoid tests, but solving the communications challenges for unmanned aircraft is every bit as critical to unlocking their true potential. Great to see progress continuing on this important topic!

[MAAP UAS @MAAPUAS]

These tests reflect more than a decade of international development and years of hard work by @CollinsAero and @NASAArmstrong. Truly rewarding to partner with them, and @TXTSystems, to advance the use of radio for #UAS #BVLOS comms.
https://t.co/pltDbhRojE

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

Well deserved recognition for Dr. Ahmadian! I’ve had the privilege of working with Professor Ahmadian for the past couple months and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He is a genuine class act!

[Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering @VirginiaTech_ME]

Congratulations, Dr. Ahmadian!
https://t.co/BbhENccEGu

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

I don’t think @KStatePolytech could find a better person in the country to lead both of these programs. Congrats, Kurt! Keep up the good work!

[K-State Salina @KSU_Salina]

Kurt Carraway, #UAS executive director at the Applied Aviation Research Center on campus, also will be the new UAS department head.

Learn more about Carraway's expanding role: https://t.co/eqRWOd9isB

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

The @MAAPUAS team rocked it the past few days testing various DAA sensors. Now to process and review gobs of data to inform future operations for us and our partners...

[MAAP UAS @MAAPUAS]

Clear summer weather and a careful return to research facilitated several productive days of detect-and-avoid testing.

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

Looking forward to another round of testing with @FAANews in the UTM Pilot Program!

[The FAA ✈️ @FAANews]

.@MAAPUAS in Blacksburg, VA and Griffiss International Airport in Rome, NY are new #FAA #UAS test site participants for Phase 2 of the UTM Pilot Program. #UPP Phase 2 will support #drone operations including #RemoteID services and public safety operations. https://t.co/eQvYXuKXe0

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

Hooray! I’m able to get back into my account after 3 months of being stuck in the #passwordresetloop! Now, where did all of the people I was following go? Hmm... looks like a hard reset to me.

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

It was a big year for MAAP!

[MAAP UAS @MAAPUAS]

We're celebrating the new decade by reflecting on some of our proudest moments in 2019.

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

“The aviation industry has deluded itself about the size of demand many times in the past.” This is a worthwhile read as we enter the age of UAM. Having lived through the VLJ “revolution”, I hope we have learned some lessons about reality vs. expectations.
https://t.co/XQ2iXe1NkC

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

Great video shot right here in Christiansburg, Virginia!

[Wing @Wing]

Today, Wing begins air delivery trial in Christiansburg, Virginia! If you live in the Christiansburg area, apply to become an Early Flyer, and have Wing aircraft deliver goods from @Walgreens and local favorite Sugar Magnolia, plus some of your @FedEx packages.

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

And we’re thankful for being part of the large team that made this possible! Great day!

[X, The Moonshot Factory @Theteamatx]

Drone delivery in Virginia is off to a flying start. Congratulations to X graduate @Wing as drone delivery begins in Christiansburg with @Walgreens, @FedEx, and local shop Sugar Magnolia. https://t.co/33p3ATWnkC

[FedEx @FedEx]

Deliveries by drone isn’t a far-fetched future—it’s happening right now. With the launch of the @Wing pilot drone program, FedEx packages are being delivered by Wing drone in Virginia today. 🙌 #Tech #Innovation https://t.co/bMepF8sOI9

[Wing @Wing]

Today, under DOT’s UAS IPP, Wing began a first-of-its-kind commercial delivery trial to residents of Christiansburg, VA. Many thanks to the vision and hard work of @FAANews, @USDOT, @WHOSTP, @MAAPUAS, and @CITorg who share our interest in advancing safe drone integration.

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

This was a terrific day for our university, community, state, partners, and the FAA with the launch of the first residential drone delivery service right here in southwest Virginia. So incredibly proud of the @MAAPUAS and @Wing teams!!

[Virginia Tech @virginia_tech]

Today, #VirginiaTech @MAAPUAS played a role in @Wing's launch of the first residential drone delivery trial in the U.S. 😮 We're so excited to help shape the future of drone delivery — starting in @CburgVA_Gov. 👏👏
https://t.co/3lVu22cQJM

[The Roanoke Times @roanoketimes]

The first-of-its-kind drone delivery service coming to Christiansburg will launch later this month and the area that will be included is now mapped, according to Wing Aviation.
https://t.co/0Y6jB30zl3

[Mark Blanks @MarkBlanks]

We’ve been busy...

[MAAP UAS @MAAPUAS]

Our collaboration with @Wing is just one of many ways @virginia_tech is breaking new ground, and making history, in #drone technology. https://t.co/y8LcTMXmYh

[MAAP UAS @MAAPUAS]

This is a transformative moment in delivery, and in aviation - we're proud to play a role in bringing it here to Virginia. https://t.co/rDN1ARAoll