Gary McPherson is a seasoned aviation and engineering professional with over 30 years of experience in both manned and unmanned aircraft operations. He has been a certificated Part 61 pilot since 1991 and a Part 107 Remote Pilot since 2016, and is an active FAA Safety Team (FAAST) DronePro member.
In addition to his aviation credentials, Gary is a licensed civil and environmental engineer, specializing in design, regulatory compliance, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). He currently serves as Aviation Coordinator for a large state agency and as a first responder with the Division of Emergency Management.
Gary oversees a program of more than 35 certificated pilots and a fleet of over 100 aircraft. He ensures compliance with federal and state regulations while leading UAS operations for emergency response, training, and environmental monitoring.
A recognized leader in UAS education, Gary mentors agencies nationwide and serves as a part-time Senior Technical Training Instructor, where he develops and delivers specialized training programs. He has trained hundreds of students across state and federal agencies, supporting applications in law enforcement, engineering, and environmental analysis.
His areas of expertise include Part 107 exam preparation, basic and advanced flight operations, aerial photography, indoor tactical and disaster response, night operations, mapping, and COW and COA authorizations.
Gary holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Union College and is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York.
