Flying Lion, Inc., a leading drone service provider, has launched FLI Town, the nation’s first dedicated Drone as First Responder (DFR) training center. This facility offers a secure, vendor-agnostic environment designed to support public safety agencies in training, testing, and collaboration on drone operations. Located in a remote area with minimal crewed aircraft interference, FLI Town provides a realistic setting for agencies to refine their DFR tactics.
Barry Brennan, President and Founder of Flying Lion, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “The goal was to find a safe location to train remote operators on real-world calls for service, and FLI Town is the solution,” Brennan said. “Thanks to our hardware and software partners, we have built a truly special training facility where remote pilots can train without being onsite.”
A New Facility for Real-World Training and Innovation
FLI Town is designed to help public safety agencies improve their operational readiness through scenario-based training. The facility offers more than 20 operational scenarios, led by Flying Lion or vendor partners, to help first responders develop and refine their DFR tactics in a controlled setting.
To enhance its training capabilities, Flying Lion has secured an FAA Part 107 Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver. This waiver permits training flights up to 400 feet AGL without the need for a human visual observer, allowing agencies to conduct 24/7 remote training from anywhere with an internet connection.
Chief Charles Werner, founder of DRONERESPONDERS, highlighted the value of this dedicated space. “FLI Town is such a unique place, and we’re honored to be a training partner with Flying Lion,” Werner said. “Having a dedicated, private location for realistic DFR training with minimal ground or air risk is invaluable—this is truly one of a kind.”
Extreme Testing Conditions for UAS Technology
Beyond training, FLI Town serves as a testing ground for drones and related technologies. Its location in the California Colorado Desert offers an extreme environment for stress testing, with:
- Temperatures exceeding 110°F in summer
- Less than three inches of annual rainfall
- 348 days of sunshine per year
These conditions create an ideal setting for evaluating drone endurance, sensor reliability, and communication systems in harsh environments.
A Vendor-Agnostic Hub for UAS Innovation
FLI Town operates as a 100% vendor-agnostic facility, providing agencies with hands-on access to leading uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) solutions. This allows agencies to test, configure, and evaluate various technologies before integrating them into their operations.
Flying Lion has partnered with key industry leaders across multiple sectors to support FLI Town, including:
Training Partners:
- DRONERESPONDERS
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Sensor Technology:
- MatrixSpace
- Tempest Weather
- uAvionix Casia-G
- uAvionix FlightStation
Hardware & Accessories:
- AVSS
- DJI
- IR Tools
- Nokia
- Rohde & Schwarz
Communications:
- Starlink
- T-Mobile
Software Solutions:
- FlightOps
- Kongsberg Geospatial
- Motorola Solutions
- TruWeather Solutions
- Votix
About Flying Lion, Inc.
Founded in 2014, Flying Lion, Inc. (FLI) is a leading drone service provider supporting law enforcement, public safety agencies, and municipalities. The company specializes in Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations, offering services such as on-demand air support, FAA regulatory consulting, training, staffing, dock installation, maintenance, and equipment leasing.
With a record of over 59,400 DFR missions, including 37,725+ BVLOS operations, Flying Lion continues to be a trusted leader in the industry
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Read more:
- Flying Lion Achieves Milestone: Over 50,000 Drone as First Responder Flights Completed
- Elk Grove Police Receive First FAA Waiver for Citywide 400-Foot Drone as First Responder Operations
- Nevada Law Restricts Public Safety Agencies from Using DJI Drones, Limits Drone as First Responder Applications
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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