CQNet Management Software Incorporated Into Schools UAS Programs

The Sinclair Community College National UAS Training and Certification Center, located in Dayton, Ohio, has partnered with Consortiq in Annapolis, Maryland to incorporate Consortiq’s drone fleet management software, CQNet, to support the management of the college’s unmanned aerial systems (UAS) missions.

Since 2008, Sinclair has been at the forefront of UAS innovation, creating partnerships, developing leading curriculum, engaging in applied research and commercialization support, and investing significantly to establish a pioneering and comprehensive program and facilities dedicated to meeting the needs of the growing UAS industry.

Sinclair has conducted numerous applied research and application development projects for government and industry partners to advance UAS capabilities and expand safety of their use, including bridge, road, power grid and oil well pad inspections, open-pit mine surveys, airport inspection and commercialization, and first responder support.    

These projects mirror the ever-expanding employment opportunities for trained and certified drone operators. Both organizations go beyond only demonstrating UAS technology use to equipping students and professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to begin using drones commercially.

Sinclair’s robust applied research, training, and educational programs are a great fit with Consortiq’s CQNet UAS fleet management software. CQNet provides a critical element of safe drone missions. CQNet is a comprehensive fleet management system that also captures important platform and pilot data. Sinclair’s efforts have demonstrated the value of gathering critical infrastructure data using a variety of sensors. By automating fleet data collection and analysis, CQNet will enable Sinclair to focus on capturing and analyzing data for that purpose.

“We are excited to collaborate with Consortiq to support the further development of their CQNet software while enhancing our ability to manage our comprehensive UAS operations.  By partnering to leverage our strengths in education and training, applied research and development, and workforce development, we are confident that our students, partners, and the broader UAS industry will realize great benefits.” Jeffrey A. Miller, Chief Operating Officer for Unmanned Aerial Systems at Sinclair, noted.

“It is our goal to enable organizations and educational institutions like Sinclair to focus on achieving the primary objectives of their UAS operations, while responsibly managing the vital but time-consuming minutiae,” says Miriam Hinthorn, U.S. Operations Manager.

“Training and experience are clearly prerequisites, but it is also important for organizational leadership to be aware of the next steps as they begin to fly commercially. CQNet enables them to quickly implement standards for pilots to reduce risk.  It enables management to manage and track their entire operation.”

The platform is designed to manage virtually any UAS operation, including maintenance, real-time airborne data and aircraft positioning, and both pre-flight and post-flight checklists.  The Flight Operations Command Portal keeps all data in one spot, maximizing efficiency for each mission.  The system is platform agnostic and can integrate with any drone. The system can be used anywhere in the world at any time and can track live a fleet of drones.

Having successfully accomplished many UAS applied research activities, Sinclair is an ideal organization to test various features of enhanced "beta versions" of CQNet for internal use and external proof of concept projects. Of supreme importance is that the flights be conducted safely, as that concern is the genesis for the development of CQNet. CQNet allows Sinclair’s pilots to plan, record and maintain their drone mission, to keep maintenance and checklists in one spot, and check the weather, flight restrictions and current airspace details in their flights.

(Source: Consortiq news release. Image provided)

FMI: consortiq.com