The Michigan Drone Association (MDA) provides end-to-end consulting support for agencies, enterprises, and industry partners advancing their uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) capabilities. Our team has deep expertise in Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, FAA approvals, and turnkey system deployment, enabling organizations to move from concept to safe, compliant operations.

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We specialize in turnkey deployments that cover the entire lifecycle: site evaluations, equipment selection, system specification, installation oversight, training, and FAA approvals. Our consultants work hands-on with customers to select the right hardware, software, and detect-and-avoid solutions, ensuring systems are operationally reliable, regulatorily compliant, and mission-ready. Whether it’s a docked drone station for first responders or an enterprise fleet management system, MDA ensures every deployment is technically sound and future-proof.

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MDA also supports clients with regulatory strategy and waiver development. Our team has authored and secured dozens of Part 107.31 waivers, Part 91 Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COAs), and complex BVLOS approvals on behalf of agencies and industry customers. We bring practical knowledge of detect-and-avoid technologies such as radar, ADS-B, RF detection, and optical systems, along with experience integrating those into FAA-compliant Concepts of Operation.

Our consulting work is grounded in recognized standards and frameworks. We align projects with DO-321 guidance for BVLOS risk assessment, ASTM F38 interoperability standards, NIST test and cybersecurity methods, and DHS/CISA frameworks for counter-UAS resilience. This ensures recommendations are technically defensible, regulatorily aligned, and interoperable across agencies and sectors.

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Finally, MDA brings a unique perspective shaped by years of government procurement and public-sector collaboration. Our consultants have helped state, local, and federal agencies navigate purchasing processes, cooperative agreements, and vendor-neutral sourcing. We deliver procurement-ready specifications and documentation that streamline acquisition while ensuring transparency and compliance.