Growing Use of Drones in Commercial Markets Creates New Career Opportunity for Trained Operators

Anyone looking for an exciting new career in a field that offers nearly limitless growth potential in virtually every type of commercial market application should seriously consider becoming certified as an unmanned aerial vehicle pilot, unmanned systems engineer, or unmanned systems project manager, according to John Minor, Provost of Phoenix, Arizona based Unmanned Vehicle University (www.uxvuniversity.com), the only university in the world that is licensed to offer graduate degree programs in Unmanned Systems Engineering and Project Management Certificates in unmanned systems technology.

“According to the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to the advancement of the unmanned systems and robotics communities, the rapid adoption of drones in a wide variety of commercial markets is going to create more than 100,000 jobs and $82-billion in economic impact over the next ten years,” Minor said today.  “I don’t think there’s another career field creating as many opportunities as this anywhere in the United States, let alone the world.”

The key to capitalizing on this exciting new career opportunity, according to Minor, is unmanned systems training and education, or, more specifically in the case of unmanned aerial vehicles, pilot certification.  “Every high value added career in America today requires education,” Minor emphasized.  “Education doesn’t always mean a four year degree but it does mean high quality, specialized training from an institution that has a proven track record of education by professionals and subject matter experts in that particular field.  In the field of unmanned aerial vehicles that institution is Unmanned Vehicle University.” 

Minor pointed out that every standard being contemplated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that the operator of a commercial unmanned aerial vehicle be certified to operate that vehicle.  “The simple truth is that you are not going to be in a position to capitalize on this rapidly growing and expanding career opportunity unless you have the right education and the certification to flourish as a certified vehicle operator, unmanned systems engineer, technologist, or unmanned systems project manager.”

And there is a wide range of career opportunities just waiting to be filled in a variety of commercial markets, according to Minor — Delivery and fulfillment, Logistics, Security and Law Enforcement, First Responders, Wildfire Management, Search and Rescue, News Gathering, Photography, Film and Television Production, Oil, Gas and Mineral Exploration, Disaster Relief, Live Event Production, Agriculture, and Real Estate top the list of an ever growing number of commercial markets.  “As FAA regulations become finalized, and they will, you are going to see drones incorporated into just about every industry known to man,” Minor asserted.  “I’m not exaggerating.   Drones reduce risk, save money, and dramatically increase the productivity of every field they are used in.”

Amazon’s ongoing testing of drones, which just recently received FAA approval, is just the tip of the iceberg, according to Minor.  “Major news organizations, film and television production companies, law enforcement agencies, government agencies like the EPA, major agriculture businesses and search and rescue organizations are all already focused on incorporating drones into their daily operations.  A lot more will follow. All individuals seeking job opportunities in the Drone Industry, those transitioning to a second career, or those who want to start up a new drone-related business should kick start their ambitions by taking the flight training and/or unmanned systems academic or certificate courses that Unmanned Vehicle University offers.”

According to Minor, “Unmanned Vehicle University’s role in the unmanned industry is to provide the world’s best drone pilot training, educate the public about the economic impact and the good that drones can provide and to provide significant opportunities for research into new unmanned system technologies and operations that will make drones, safer, more reliable, more effective, more efficient, and more useful to mankind.

Furman Introduces Powerful M-8X AR Voltage Regulator to Protect Electronic Equipment

Live musicians, DJs, recording professionals, and system integrators know that every piece of equipment must function as expected. Recognizing the inherent instability of electric power, Furman, the leader in power conditioning since 1974, today introduced the new M-8x AR, an entry-level voltage regulator/power conditioner specially designed to provide stable voltage output and protect valuable gear. Providing nine regulated and conditioned outlets, this rack-mount voltage regulator is an affordable yet powerful choice for A/V professionals, musicians, and DJs. The introduction was made at Winter NAMM 2015 in Anaheim, California, Furman Booth #6745.

“With demand on the power grid stretched, we are seeing a higher rate of brownout and voltage sags, which can be disastrous in mission critical applications,” said John Benz, Director of Power and Accessories Products at Core Brands. “Furman is dedicated to providing unbeatable power products to serve audio video professionals. Our full line of voltage regulators and power conditioners ensure that any buyer can feel confident in their equipment’s protection, from entry-level setups to world-class audio rigs. The M-8x AR complements our Prestige Series of professional-grade voltage regulators and fills out our complete line of Merit Series entry-level power management solutions.”

The M-8x AR provides a stable 12A-15A, 120V output (±5V) from input voltage of 97V and 141V.  Extreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS) protects against dangerous sustained over/under voltage conditions.  Additionally, Extreme Current Shutdown (ECS) detects over-current conditions and shuts down the outlets before damage is done to the M-8x AR or your connected equipment. The ECS circuit has been designed to detect high speed and high-level currents and will ignore low speed / low current transients, such as amplifier inrush currents.  In fact, all internal components are specially designed to distinctly recognize damaging fluctuations from natural fluctuations, and therefore only react if there is danger to equipment or the unit itself. A three-color ‘in-regulation’ indicator provides quick assurance that power is being properly managed, in addition to the unit’s ‘Protection OK’ indicator.

Musicians and live sound professionals can easily monitor the M-8x AR’s input line voltage using the eight-element, two-color bar graph meter and feel confident thanks to the thermal circuit breaker that protects against overload. Weighing just 15 pounds, the regulator is a must-have for live performers and DJs looking to create a portable pro audio rig. Adding to the long list of attributes, the unit’s low noise toroidal autotransformer with low magnetic field leakage allows for close proximity to other delicate electronic equipment without fear of interference.

For peace of mind at a price that won’t break the bank, Furman M-8x AR is sure to become the first choice of top performers and A/V professionals everywhere. The M-8x AR will be available in February through certified Furman dealers at an MSRP of $599.

WHOOSH! Expands Tech & Gadget Cleaner Line-Up at CES 2015

Underscoring the powerful retail business opportunity presented by the rapidly growing tech hygiene category, WHOOSH! Inc., creators of WHOOSH! Screen Shine screen cleaner, today announced the expansion of its 2015 product line-up with the introduction of new WHOOSH! Screen Shine Wipes and WHOOSH! BLAST compressed gas duster.  Both new products incorporate the same clean, crisp branding featured on the original WHOOSH! Screen Shine screen cleaner, providing retailers with an extremely compelling product line guaranteed to drive impulse sales of the entire product line. WHOOSH! Screen Shine Wipes and WHOOSH! Blast will be unveiled at CES 2015 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the North Hall, Booth #6116.

“We believe that 2015 will be the year that millions of consumers finally understand the importance of practicing good tech hygiene and now WHOOSH! solutions are available in a broader array of configurations to suit individual needs and lifestyles,” explained WHOOSH! Inc. CEO Jason Greenspan.  “2014 was a year of record-breaking growth for the company that saw us gain distribution in all North American Apple stores, Walmart, Staples Canada, Target Canada, Fryes, and Shoppers Mart, among others.  In fact, WHOOSH! is now available in more than 5,000 locations here in North America.  In addition, we have begun distributing the line in Asia and Europe, with additional distributor agreements likely to come out of this CES.” 

Available for delivery in Q1, WHOOSH! Screen Shine Wipes combine pre-treated disposable wet and dry cloths into single serve packages that make them as easy to carry and use as handi-wipes are for hand cleaning.  Consumers can safely clean, polish, and protect all of their tech and gadget devices by, first, using the wet Wipe cloth and, then, polishing it with the dry cloth.  “New WHOOSH! Screen Shine Wipes deliver the same amazing super, natural, clean result as our original WHOOSH! Screen Shine screen cleaner spray,” Greenspan explained.  “Now it’s available in a different configuration to suit consumers who are very accustomed to regularly washing their hands with handi-wipe type products.”

Also available for immediate delivery in a 10-ounce canister at a suggested retail price of $8.99., new WHOOSH! BLAST compressed gas duster is designed to enable consumers to maintain a more complete tech hygiene program — particularly as it applies to their notebooks and PCs, which often attract all sorts of dirt, dust, and crumbs in and around the keyboard.  “New WHOOSH! BLAST has been designed to deliver an burst of compressed gas that effectively ‘blasts’ dirt, dust, and crumbs out from among the keyboard keys.  Then consumers can use their WHOOSH! Screen Shine solution of choice to complete the cleaning and polishing of their device.”   

In conjunction with the introduction of an expanded product line At CES 2015 Greenspan said that the company will once again host its free Screen Check-Up for all show attendees who want to see just how dirty their phone or tablet screen is.  “Our before and after test will really demonstrate just how effective WHOOSH! Screen Shine is, and when the test is complete, we will give each person a free trial sample of WHOOSH! Screen Shine.”

WHOOSH! Screen Shine is the next generation screen cleaner that is made with non-toxic and biodegradable surfactants instead of with harsh chemicals that can damage mobile devices. Leveraging the latest advancements in formula development, WHOOSH! is specifically developed to be a safe yet powerful cleaning solution that cleans both screens and devices — makingthem shine like new while leaving an ultra-thin invisible coating that provides a resistance to dirt build-up, smudges, and fingerprints.  WHOOSH! does not contain alcohol, acids, ammonia, chlorine, petroleum distillates, phosphates or volatile organic compounds. 

WHOOSH! is available for purchase at all North American Apple stores and at more than 2500 Walmart stores, as well as in Target Canada, Staples Canada, Canadian Tire, and Shoppers Drug Mart stores. WHOOSH! can also be purchased at www.whooshscreenshine.com. 

WHOOSH! Screen Shine is available in a number of sizes:  Duo+ (one 3.4 fluid ounces and one .3 fluid ounces) is for a suggested retail price of $19.95, Pocket (.3 fluid ounces) for $5.99 and Go (1 fluid ounce) for $9.99. All sizes come with a 6”x6” W! micro-fiber cloth. WHOOSH is also available for the commercial, industrial, and education markets. 

WHOOSH! Screen Cleaner made its debut at CES 2014 where it became the only screen and device cleaner to be awarded two coveted CES Innovations Design & Engineering Awards.