Summary
This 360 Pulse episode features John Cohan, former President of the AUVSI Empire State Chapter, reflecting on his contributions to drone advocacy, public education, and FAA safety standards in New York. As the chapter transitions to new leadership, we honor John's legacy and explore the importance of community engagement in advancing uncrewed systems. Hosted by Circle Optics’ Jennifer Sertl, the conversation supports our mission to deliver situational intelligence for a safer, smarter, more immersive world.
At Circle Optics, our mission is to deliver Situational Intelligence for a safer, smarter, more immersive world. Through our patented stitch-free, low-parallax panoramic imaging systems, we help defense, aerospace, and robotics professionals improve how they perceive and respond to their environment.
The 360 Pulse Podcast extends this mission beyond technology—by elevating the voices of those advancing the broader ecosystem of autonomy, safety, and innovation. Through thoughtful conversations with leaders across industry, government, and research, we explore the ideas, policies, and partnerships that are shaping the future of real-time awareness and uncrewed systems integration.
As the AUVSI Empire State Chapter transitions to new leadership, this episode of the 360 Pulse Podcast highlights the contributions of John Cohan, former chapter president and an active participant in the growth of New York State’s uncrewed systems community.
AUVSI—the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International—is the world’s largest nonprofit organization focused on advancing uncrewed and robotic systems across air, land, sea, and space. Circle Optics has been an active member of AUVSI for the past four years, supporting efforts that bring together industry, government, and research institutions to promote innovation and responsible integration.
John Cohan’s career is a testament to continuity through adaptation. While many professionals pivot into entirely new fields, Cohan never abandoned his roots in audio-visual production. Instead, he expanded his skillset and influence, evolving from ground-based video work to aerial imaging through unmanned systems. His early fascination with video production and visual storytelling naturally progressed into drone photography.
“I was always fascinated by the art of video production, which is very integral to A/V services,” Cohan shared. “So aerial photography seemed to be the way to go.”
As the founder of Dynamic Aero Drone Systems, Cohan focused on combining his technical strengths with emerging opportunities in the drone industry. However, his growth was not without challenges. He was deeply interested in mapping and volumetric data applications but lacked formal certification in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which is often a prerequisite for technical commercial work.
“I loved the idea of mapping and volumetrics, but I was not GIS certified or knew much about it,” he explained. “So I relied on others and tried to sell their goods and services and make a commission.”
Cohan soon discovered that advancing drone adoption was not simply a matter of offering services—it required trust-building and education. Public skepticism was widespread, particularly around issues of privacy. Many people were unfamiliar with FAA regulations and were unwilling to invest the time to learn them unless they saw a direct benefit to their own business.
“At that time, there was a lot of pushback from the general community,” he recalled. “People thought any kind of drone work was a strain on their privacy. They didn’t care to learn the rules unless they thought it could help their business.”
Recognizing that acceptance wouldn’t happen overnight, Cohan spent years doing the slow, often thankless work of community engagement. He spoke at Chambers of Commerce, addressed town governments, and met one-on-one with individuals. While these efforts weren’t always financially rewarding, they laid a crucial foundation of understanding that would support broader adoption of drone technologies across the state.
Cohan’s commitment to public education and systems thinking found an institutional home at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). After joining the Empire State Chapter, he quickly rose to leadership and eventually became president. His primary goal was to rebuild the organization structurally and strategically—reviving it as a 501(c)(6) and ensuring it could serve as a stable platform for regional collaboration.
“AUVSI gave me a chance to meet very involved, educated people throughout the nation who wanted to see this industry thrive,” he said. “I found a home.”
Under his leadership, the chapter became a critical connector between national policy efforts and local implementation. Cohan prioritized outreach to counties, townships, and other municipalities, helping stakeholders understand the significance of national drone standards and how those standards would affect operations on the ground.
Now, as the chapter transitions to new leadership, Cohan is stepping back with a sense of accomplishment. He continues to participate in the AUVSI New England chapter and remains actively involved in volunteer and advisory capacities throughout the region.
Far from slowing down, retirement has allowed Cohan to return to one of his greatest passions: teaching. As a volunteer instructor and check pilot with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), he helps train the next generation of sUAS (small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems) operators. The role allows him to integrate everything he values—technical skill, safety protocols, and mission-focused service.
“I had an opportunity to direct ground teams from manned aircraft and to lead these teams using drones for search and rescue exercises,” Cohan shared. “Now I get to evaluate students, test them, and support their development in the field.”
For Cohan, this work is personal and purposeful. It’s about more than checklists or certifications; it’s about preparing drone operators for real-world situations where accuracy, timing, and composure can have life-saving implications.
His continued involvement in both policy and instruction demonstrates a rare blend of leadership: grounded in experience, driven by service, and guided by the belief that education is the most powerful tool for sustainable innovation. Through every stage of his career—from A/V production to aerial photography, from community outreach to Civil Air Patrol training—Cohan has demonstrated how long-term commitment and quiet leadership can shape an entire ecosystem.
Advocacy, Alignment, and Building a Culture of Trust
Among John Cohan’s most enduring contributions to the drone ecosystem is his holistic approach to advocacy—bridging national policy with local action while simultaneously cultivating safety, credibility, and trust within the uncrewed systems community. His work underscores a critical insight: for drone innovation to take root and flourish, alignment must occur across multiple dimensions—regulatory, operational, and relational.
Cohan credits AUVSI CEO Michael Robbins for his visionary work in Washington, where advocacy spans everything from commercial drone integration and maritime autonomy to industrial robotics and defense systems. But he is clear-eyed about the limits of top-down influence.
“We have to convey these messages locally—at the county and township level,” Cohan says. “This is a huge task, and we need interested volunteers to make it happen.”
For Cohan, effective advocacy doesn’t just mean raising awareness; it means mobilizing communities. He’s spent years helping businesses and public officials understand evolving FAA policies like UTM (Uncrewed Traffic Management) and LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability)—systems designed to reduce risk, increase visibility, and ensure safe integration of drones into shared airspace.
“Two words—Communication and Education,” he emphasized. “UTM is about deconfliction and safety. That’s number one. We’ve got to get the word out.”
That commitment to clarity and transparency has also made Cohan a valuable connector within New York’s small business ecosystem. Whether advising drone entrepreneurs or recommending specialized vendors, he works to ensure that capable, compliant companies are known and trusted by clients and regulators alike.
“Whatever the news or public opinion says, from search and rescue to UTM commercial services, there’s a place for these companies,” Cohan affirms. “People just need to be informed.”
His advocacy work extends beyond the aviation sector. In one of his most meaningful community-driven engagements, Cohan was asked to support the Cornell Cooperative Marine Division as a drone specialist. While the initiative initially focused on underwater submersibles, Cohan introduced aerial drones to the team—demonstrating the complementary potential of cross-domain autonomy. His videography was even featured in Cornell Cooperative’s advertising materials, bringing a personal creative touch to a scientific mission.
Yet Cohan’s influence is not only about connections or campaigns—it’s about culture. His strongest message, repeated like a mantra, is one of compliance and integrity. Long before flying drones professionally, he was a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), where he learned the foundational principles of flight safety and responsible hobbyism.
“Safety first—learn that. Play by the book. No exceptions,” he said. “Even before your first flight, this whole thing is a long haul of education.”
Now, as a Civil Air Patrol drone instructor and check pilot, he imparts those lessons to a new generation—reinforcing the idea that flying is a privilege, not a shortcut. In an industry often defined by rapid tech evolution and startup mentality, Cohan stands for something quieter but essential: professionalism, patience, and process.
By linking federal guidelines with grassroots training, entrepreneurial opportunity with ethical responsibility, and innovation with public service, Cohan exemplifies what it means to be a steward of autonomy—not just a participant in it. His work helps ensure that drones are not just accepted, but trusted, and that autonomy doesn’t just scale—but does so safely, inclusively, and with integrity.
You can hear the entire program anywhere you listen to your podcasts.
To explore how these regional efforts align with national priorities, we also recommend listening to our earlier 360 Pulse conversation with AUVSI President & CEO Michael Robbins. In that episode, Robbins shares insight on regulatory alignment, cross-sector advocacy, and the future of uncrewed systems at scale.
