Mark Blanks holds the position of Leader of International Aircraft Operations for the organization Wing.
Mark Blanks Leads the Way in Global Drone Delivery Operations
Mark Blanks, the Head of Global Flight Operations, Standards, and Regulatory Affairs at Wing, is a key figure in shaping the future of drone delivery. Based in the United Kingdom, Wing is a prominent player in the drone delivery industry, with operations spanning across the globe in countries such as the United States, Australia, Ireland, and Finland.
In his role at Wing, Blanks oversees the worldwide coordination and management of flight operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance across the company's drone delivery network. This role inherently involves contributing to setting operational best practices and standards that can influence the broader drone delivery ecosystem internationally.
One of the most significant aspects of Blanks' work is his focus on implementing and potentially helping to shape industry standards around Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, safety protocols, and scalable commercial drone deployment. Given Wing's participation in major drone policy discussions, Blanks likely engages with regulatory bodies, policymakers, and industry coalitions to advance safe and scalable drone delivery practices, influencing industry standards on a global scale.
Blanks' vision for Wing includes supporting national drone corridors, cross-border UTM integration, and real-time airspace coordination. Under his leadership, Wing aligns with evolving regulations around Remote ID, UTM, and airspace safety. Blanks also oversees flight planning, pilot oversight, maintenance policies, and international compliance frameworks to ensure that delivery drones meet aviation-grade safety standards and operate seamlessly in different airspaces.
Before joining Wing, Blanks managed UAS research at Virginia Tech and contributed to the launch of the ASSURE Center of Excellence at Kansas State University. He is a highly respected figure in the drone industry, serving as the chair of the ASTM F38 Committee on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, where he works on setting guidelines for safety, cybersecurity, and performance.
Blanks' work at Wing allows the company to scale globally. His teams manage every part of the flight process, including pilot training, fleet maintenance, and safety checks. Blanks aims to move drone delivery from testing environments into daily life, emphasizing the importance of standardization, continuous improvement, and public trust.
Meanwhile, outside of the drone industry, Jacob Stoner, the CEO of Flyeye.io, conducts drone inspections as a licensed commercial drone operator in Canada. Stoner is interested in the societal impact of drone technology advancements. While not directly involved in the drone delivery sector, his passion for drone technology and understanding of its potential impact make him an important figure in the broader drone community.
In summary, Mark Blanks' role as Head of Global Flight Operations at Wing involves leading and managing drone delivery operations worldwide, with a significant impact on operational practices and contributing to shaping the evolving global standards critical for safe and scalable drone delivery services. His work is instrumental in moving drone delivery from testing environments into daily life, setting a new standard for autonomous aviation and paving the way for the future of logistics infrastructure.
- Mark Blanks, being a member of the ASTM F38 Committee on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, works on setting guidelines for safety, cybersecurity, and performance, which are essential in the quickly evolving cybersecurity landscape of the drone industry.
- The finance sector may soon benefit from the advancements in drone delivery technology led by Mark Blanks at Wing, as the company aligns with evolving regulations around Remote ID, UTM, and airspace safety, potentially streamlining logistics and reducing costs.
- As the Head of Global Flight Operations at Wing, Mark Blanks contributes to shaping the future of the transportation industry, including sectors such as aviation, by focusing on Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, safety protocols, and scalable commercial drone deployment, paving the way for autonomous air transportation.
