VAI Member Spotlight: Zephyr Systems, Michigan, USA Unmanned aircraft system maker provides support services for government and civil UAS developers and operators, including with an advanced UAS test range. By Jen Boyer Jackson, Michigan–based Zephyr Systems launched in 2022 with the intention of designing and developing cargo drones. As is a common story in the aviation industry, the company’s plans evolved. Yet, in Zephyr’s case, it was pure serendipity. In the process of designing and developing an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), Zephyr CEO Michael Furmanski and President Sara-Anne Furmanski, both US Army veterans, discovered that the industry was in need of operational and testing support, including a safe place to evaluate advanced unmanned technologies. Zephyr Systems expanded its capabilities as a result and now helps government and civil UAS developers with numerous tasks, including integration services, training and administration support, engineering services, maintenance and repair (FAA certification as a Part 145 repair station is pending), system certification, and launch and recovery. UAS Test Range To help achieve these expanded capabilities, the Zephyr Systems team leveraged their collective 130 years of aviation experience to develop an FAA-approved UAS test range in Michigan. Located between Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Ann Arbor, the large facility encompasses 3,000 square miles, extends to a 7,000-ft. ceiling, and includes six airports—two of which are located within Class D airspace. A secure and controlled environment for the development, testing, and validation of advanced UAS technologies, the range was specifically designed for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations in real-world conditions. Other uses include testing new UAS designs, validating command and control systems, and conducting safety evaluations. Zephyr Systems can assist UAS operators with all aspects of flight testing and data collection for use in verification and certification. The company offers packages with various levels of support designed for individuals, companies, and government agencies. Zephyr also provides drone operations for industry sectors that include surveillance, cargo, and agricultural mapping and applications. Training Pipeline The company is currently in the process of offering courses in UAS operations, avionics, and composite repair. Zephyr Systems plans to collaborate with local high schools and other educational institutions with the goal of cultivating a new generation of skilled aviation technicians and UAS operators in Michigan. UAS with Scion Earlier this year, Zephyr Systems announced a partnership with Scion Helicopters to develop an advanced unmanned helicopter with a payload capacity of more than 3,000 lb. The companies are designing the extended-range aircraft for cargo, agriculture, disaster relief, military, firefighting, and other applications that are risky for crewed helicopters, particularly in remote or hazardous environments. Jen Boyer is a journalist and marketing communicator specializing in aviation. She holds commercial, instrument, flight instructor, and instrument instructor ratings in helicopters and a private rating in airplanes.
