November 21, 2024

Pictured from left to right: Deputy Chief Matt Martindale, Vice President of EAA Chapter 729 Brad Stinebring, Officer Zach Romero, and Captain Toby Combest

The Columbus Police Department (CPD) is receiving a donation of $2000 from the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA Chapter 729) to help establish an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS or Drone) program within the department. The program aims to certify CPD with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and procure drones to be used by the department in natural disasters and critical incidents, such as a missing or endangered person.

The funding, which was obtained by EAA via a grant from Duke Energy, will go directly to the effort of obtaining the FAA’s certificate of authorization for CPD, which will allow the process to start for training and certifying officers as drone pilots. This effort directly aligns with EAA’s mission, “to grow participation in aviation by promoting the ‘Spirit of Aviation’.”

This is the first step in adding potentially lifesaving equipment to the police department. “We appreciate everything that our first responders do on the frontlines in responding to emergencies every day,” said Kylie Foster, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy. “The drones are another tool they can use to help in emergency situations that arise.”