VALOREM PER INTEGRITAS
Value through Integrity
Q3 2026
Official date coming soon
An operator-led utility aviation event — where the aircraft actually fly.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Most conferences talk about airborne technology. This one makes it work.The Tactien Utility Aviation Summit (UAS) is an invite-only, live demonstration event built for electric utilities and critical infrastructure operators who are tired of the same slide decks, the same booths, and the same unverfieid claims.
Hosted by The Tactien Group and Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory, this summit brings together operators, aircraft, payloads, software, and CUAS systems in a controlled, operationally realistic environment — with flight demonstrations as the core of the agenda.
This is the first event of its kind where the invited attendees decide which vendors can show up — and every vendor invited with an aircraft is expected to fly.
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Why This Summit Exists
Traditional conferences recycle the same content every year. The same speakers. The same vendor pitches. The same promises that never quite match what happens in the field.
The Tactien Utility Aviation Summit (UAS) was built to change that:
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Live, side-by-side flight demonstrations of Group 1–4 UAS, manned aircraft technologies, payloads, software, & CUAS systems
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Operator-led vendor selection — utilities and infrastructure operators help decide which platforms and technologies attend
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End-to-end program & use-case discussion from leaders in industry who are proving ROI.
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An environment run by aviation professionals, leveraging Raspet’s range authority and Tactien’s operational experience
Interested in being a part of this?
Fill out the appropriate form below.
Built Around
Utility Operators
This summit is designed for:
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Electric utilities
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Oil & gas pipeline operators
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Transmission & distribution companies
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Other large infrastructure owners evaluating or scaling aviation programs
This is not a typical Conference.
The Utility Aviation Summit is intentionally small, focused, and engineered around the needs of real operators. Attendees—not vendors—determine which companies are invited to exhibit and fly. If you are interested in attending, joining the Vendor Selection Committee, or being considered as an exhibiting vendor, please complete the appropriate form below.
Tactien will work directly with the attending operators to shape the final exhibitor list. There are no guarantees for vendors—participation is determined entirely by the Attendees (Vendor Selection Committee).
As an attendee, you can:
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Attend the summit to see aircraft, payloads, software, and CUAS in real operations
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Join the Vendor Selection Committee (optional) and help shape the vendor slate
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Provide input on aircraft and technology categories that matter most to your use-cases
THE AGENDA
unofficial
Two Days of Live Aviation & Real Workflows
08:30 - 17:00
Flight Demonstrations
Day 1 is dedicated to live demonstrations across multiple zones at MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory:
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Breakfast
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Keynote
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Local Ops Zone: Group 1–2 multicopters performing short, task-focused missions.
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Long Endurance Zone: Group 3–4 and helicopter-class assets executing extended flights and touch-and-go operations.
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Lunch
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Special Use Case Zone: High-impact or emerging capabilities that don’t fit the standard playbook.
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CUAS Zone: Live detection, tracking, and response scenarios with real targets.
18:30 - 21:00
Happy Hour/Informal Dinner
Location: TBD - near MS State Campus
COMING FALL 2026
Potential Vendors & Exhibitors
Note: Vendor participation is determined by the Utility Operator Committee. The companies listed here have expressed interest and are under consideration.
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Event Location
Raspet Flight Research Laboratory
114 Airport Road
Starkville, MS 39759
THE
SPEAKERS
Nate Ernst
Founder & President
The Tactien Group
Nate Ernst is the President of The Tactien Group and a leading advisor in utility aviation, unmanned systems strategy, and operational integration. He has supported some of the largest energy and infrastructure operators in the U.S., helping them navigate technology adoption, regulatory pathways, and enterprise-scale UAS programs. Nate is widely recognized for his pragmatic, operator-first approach to aviation problem-solving.
Bryan Farrell
Director
Raspet Flight Research Laboratory
Dr. Bryan Farrell leads Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory, one of the nation’s most advanced UAS research, flight-test, and airspace integration facilities. He oversees Raspet’s major research initiatives, advanced air mobility programs, and large-scale UAS operations for government and industry partners. His expertise anchors the Summit’s flight operations and safety framework.
Charlton Evans
Founder & CEO
End State Solutions
Charlton Evans is the Founder and CEO of End State Solutions and a leading authority in aerospace certification, autonomous systems regulation, and FAA approval pathways. He has supported emerging technology companies across the drone, eVTOL, and Advanced Air Mobility sectors, helping them navigate complex regulatory requirements to achieve revenue operations. Charlton is widely recognized for bridging the cultural gap between innovation-focused technology companies and safety-mandated regulators, with groundbreaking certifications including the ScanEagle drone (now in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum), the Matternet M2 type and production certification, and pioneering BVLOS operations for critical infrastructure.
Industry Support
