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About
Scenic 40 Aerospace

Stephen Snyder is the owner of Scenic 40 Aerospace and formed the company in 2019 recognizing the immense potential for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) across a broad variety of disciplines including law enforcement, first responders, engineering, construction, utilities, airport planning, environmental sciences, and agriculture.  A field with such rapid growth needed professionals and educators that had a firm grasp on conventional aviation disciplines, but also commensurate experience with UAS regulations, industry best practices, aircraft, supplementary support platforms, and Safety Management Systems (SMS) to ensure effective operations within the National Airspace System (NAS). 

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Scenic 40 Aerospace was created with those core concepts in mind.  Mr. Snyder has over 37 years of professional aviation experience and draws from that expertise to create, teach, and implement safety-conscious concepts in the UAS industry.

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Education:

  • Master's degree/ Unmanned Systems

       Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

       Study of autonomous aircraft, automobiles, maritime, and spacecraft                 Specialty in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

 

  • Bachelor's degree/ Professional Aeronautics/ Aviation Safety  

       Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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FAA certificates:

  • Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Helicopter

  • Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Helicopter

  • Commercial, Multi-Engine, and Instrument/ Airplane

  • Ground Instructor, and Advanced Instrument Instructor

  • Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic (A&P)

  • Remote Pilot (sUAS)

  • FAA Safety Team (FAAST) Drone Pro

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Specialized Certificates:

  • Trusted Operator (TOPS) Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)

  • FEMA National Incident Management and National Response

  • OSHA Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response for First Responders

  • Confined Space Entry Operations and Safe Practices

  • Jet Engine Mishap Investigation

  • Crew Resource Management    

 

Relevant Experience:

  • Adjunct Professor and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Liaison for a regional Community College creating and teaching basic and advanced UAS course offerings.  Course development includes focused instruction for the FAA Part 107 exam and first responder operations.

  • Former Airport Director for an FAA Part 139 Commercial Service Airport.  Directly responsible for all airport safety and security measures including Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF).  Management of FBO operations, fuel storage facilities, and General Aviation Facilities.  Oversight of Airport Capital Improvement Programs (ACIP).  Worked side-by-side with engineers and contractors to manage numerous large ACIP initiatives that recapitalized aging infrastructure and mapped a 30-year strategic growth initiative.  Responsible for commercial airline service recruiting and route planning.

  • Helicopter Captain for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations utilizing Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Night Vision Goggles (NVGs).  Qualified Captain on the Sikorski S-76, Eurocopter EC-135, and EC-145.     

  • Retired Coast Guard Aviator.  Search and Rescue (SAR) pilot and Aeronautical Engineering Officer in both the HH-65 Dolphin and HC-130 aircraft.

  • Military Instructor Pilot at Naval Air Station Whiting Field.  Trained U.S. and allied pilots in primary and advanced helicopter operations.

  • Enlisted Coast Guard Aircrew and Flight Mechanic on the HC-130, and E-2C.  Flight Engineer for the Gulfstream Command and Control aircraft.  Performed worldwide VIP transport for the Coast Guard Commandant, Secretary of Transportation, and numerous congressional offices.

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