Veterans Elite Drone Training Services

Bernie retired from the RCAF in 2013 after 34 years of experience as a pilot. with both the Regular and Reserve forces. He retired from the Canadian Armed Forces as the Director, RCAF Air Reserve. In early 2022 he obtained his Advanced RPAS Pilot Certificate. Shortly thereafter Bernie founded his own drone support company, KR Droneworks. His company will be supplying the RPAS checklists for VEdTS course.

Rob Calvert served in the Regular Canadian Army from 1970 to 1994 and continued to serve for an additional five years in the Reserves. He has been married for 52 years, with three adult children and 14 grandchildren. As an advanced drone pilot, instructor, flight reviewer, and accredited examiner for ROC-A, Rob has extensive experience in the field. He began flying RC aircraft in 1985 and entered the world of drones in 2022. In May 2023, Rob founded his company, Airborne Drone Video and Photo. Flying drones is his calling, and teaching is his passion.

Greg is a former RCAF pilot licensed to fly Rotary Wing, Fixed Wing and Unmanned aircraft.  He is an enthusiastic aviator who enjoys teaching and talking about aircraft. His goal is to expand the envelope in the unmanned domain, the new frontier of aviation. He lives in Kemptville Ontario and runs his own Drone Services Company, Aerospace Consulting Company and works part time as a Test Pilot Instructor at the International Test Pilots School.

Greg is a retired RCAF Officer serving 27 years in the regular Air Force as an Aerospace

Engineer (AERE) and another 6 years in the supplementary reserves. He is a licensed

Professional Engineer with a background in both Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and in addition to holding an advanced level RPAS pilot certificate, he holds private pilot licenses

under both Transport Canada and the FAA. Greg also sits as a member of the Board of

Governors for the Ontario Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada and is

currently the Chairperson for the Aviation Committee which supports the Air Cadet Gliding

Program. Greg and his wife Debbie, who is also a Veteran, reside in Midhurst Ontario.

A veteran of the National Defence Fire Services for 34 years. Stationed at CFB Uplands, 19Wg Comox, 8WG Trenton, HAMJCS Margaree, Nipigon and Toronto and in the training environment at CFB Borden. I have finished my career with Kingston Fire and Rescue as a Training Officer. During this time I started on my drone operations in 2015 with a Phantom II and progressed from there to more updated drones and operations. I obtained my Advanced Licence in 2017, and my flight reviewer certifications in 2019. I have been promoting drone operations for emergency services and how to utilize these tools to assist in emergency situations.

Hans Kissmann is a Drone Instructor/Flight Reviewer with approx. 2 years of Drone Flight Experience. After 40 years of experience in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Communications Technician and as an Aerospace Engineer as well as an entrepreneur with the retail sector, I was seeking a return to the world of Aerospace. I am certified as an Advanced Drone Pilot and my flight experience has been in amateur drone photography and support to local real estate and entrepreneurs.

Terry has served over 23 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Non commissioned member and an Officer. Happily retired in East Ship Harbour, NS, he currently owns and operates 2 part-time businesses Ship Harbour Woodcraft and Nomadic Drone Media. He's been passionately flying drones since 2013 and is currently preparing to expand into drone mapping, photogrammetry and 3d modeling.

Justin served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 21 years as a Boatswain in the Royal Canadian Navy and an Imagery Technician in the Royal Canadian Air Force.  Deployed overseas on OP APOLLO, OP CARIBBE, OP ALTAIR and OP IMPACT. Started flying drones in January 2023, Certified as an Advanced Drone Pilot in August 2023; Certified as an Instructor and Flight Reviewer in April 2024. Currently residing in Airdrie, AB with his fiancée Binu, 20-year-old daughter Elise and two dogs; Charlie and Patches.

Stephen "Steve" Bannister, owner of Interlake Drone Services, started the company in 2020 focusing on aerial imagery and drone training. He holds an sRPAS Advanced Pilot Certificate and has special permissions for BVLOS surveillance activities. As a retired Air Force officer with over 7,800 flight hours, Steve also contributes to the drone community as a member of the Drone Pilot Association of Canada and as a flight instructor and reviewer.

Chris MacGillivray, a retired Military Policeman with 30 years of service, entered the drone business approximately four years ago. He has completed both Basic and Advanced Drone Pilots Courses, along with Flight Reviewer Certification and an Advanced Instructor Course. With 195 logged flight hours, Chris has instructed several courses and undertaken local real estate projects. Observing the exponential growth of the drone industry, he is eager to meet new people and share the joy of flying drones.

Mark Palman, a retired Master Warrant Officer, served 28 years in the Canadian Forces as an Air Defense Tech. He saw deployment in Bahrain during the Gulf War and later in Afghanistan with the 963rd AWACS Squadron. Post-military, he worked for 18 years as a Safety and Emergency Management Specialist with a major Canadian oil and gas energy company in Cold Lake, before retiring in Okotoks. His leisure activities include flying a Cessna 172 and operating remote-controlled aircraft and drones. Achievements include earning a Private Pilot’s License and a Canadian Registered Safety Professional Designation.

John served 28 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, with the bulk of his time as a helicopter pilot & flight instructor. He was the first RCAF Officer Commanding a Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle as part of the Canadian contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. John looks forward to helping veterans make their mark in the ever-expanding drone industry.

Cam, with over three decades in municipal and federal policing, led major security operations in Canada, including the 2023 Biden visit and the 2010 Olympics. He was the airspace security commander for a multi-agency, multi-national effort, earning accolades including a letter from President Obama. Post-retirement from the RCMP in 2018, he oversaw safety and security at the Great Canadian Railtour Company. With a Master’s degree in Leadership and extensive experience in emergency management, Cam has also been a sessional instructor at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. His research on post-trauma leadership has been widely published. He now lives in Hamilton, Ontario, engaging in writing, painting, and reading.

Jean-Pierre (Jeep) Régnier has over 40 years of experience in aviation. This includes four years as an Air Cadet, 27 years as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and seven years as an accident investigator with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. JP gained significant flight experience operating CH-124 Sea King and Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopters. He ventured into drone flying in 2021, received his Pilot Certificate - Advanced Operations in 2022, and became a flight reviewer in 2023. Passionate about aviation, flying, and anything capable of hovering, JP eagerly anticipates sharing his flying experiences with others.

Hugh Tull brings a multifaceted skill set to the world of visual storytelling, with an impressive array of experiences. He served as a dedicated combat engineer for a combined 18 years, expertly navigating challenging environments with precision. Between his two enlistment periods, he spent a decade as a Deputy Sheriff, ensuring the safety of communities and court systems. Upon retiring from the CAF, Hugh embarked on an eight-year journey as both a Fashion, Beauty, and Portrait Photographer and a Unit Photographer in the film industry. There, he captured moments of both beauty and intensity and continues to work in this field. Expanding his repertoire, Hugh ventured into the drone industry, specializing in Construction Photogrammetry, Orthomosaic Mapping, Search and Rescue, and Disaster Response, while also instructing others. This unique blend of experiences allows him to offer a comprehensive approach to his craft.

Eli served over 45 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Military Policeman. He deployed twice with the United Nations to the Middle East and served with NATO in both Germany and Belgium as well as several Bases in Canada and Puerto Rico. He has completed both Basic and Advanced Drone Pilot Courses along with Flight Review Certification and Advance Instructor Courses. He is also certified to conduct Restricted Operator Certificate - Aeronautical qualification (ROC-A) examinations on behalf of Innovations, Science and Economic Development Canada.  Eli looks forward to helping Veterans get involved in the ever-expanding drone Industry. 

David was raised in Québec’s apple country and has a diverse background which includes 13 years in research and biotechnology, 12 years in commercial aviation, 5 years in film and television, 5 years in real estate and 13 years in management in the hospitality sector. He joins the VEdTS instructor team with great enthusiasm for the growing industry.

Troy is a retired Chief Warrant Officer from the Royal Canadian Air Force where he began his career as an 

aircraft technician.  He has an extensive operational background with deployed experience, and he has a 

keen interest in this evolving and growing industry.  He thoroughly enjoys teaching and sharing his 

experiences as each opportunity provides him with an occasion to deepen his passion for aviation.  He 

runs his own Drone Services company and lives in Kemptville Ontario. 

Justin Brown, born in central Newfoundland, joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1993 as a Naval Electronic Technician Communications and served for 22 years. His career primarily unfolded on the east coast, aboard various HMCS ships and at shore units, including HMCS Gatineau, HMCS Preserver, HMCS Fredericton, HMCS St. John’s, and HMCS Halifax. In 2009, he deployed to Afghanistan as Canada's first electronic analyst for Improvised Explosive Devices, eventually becoming one of Canada's foremost experts in the field. Drawn to the VEdTS programs, Justin swiftly achieved his goal of becoming an instructor. Currently residing in Glenwood, Newfoundland, he is happily married with four children and is keen on advancing his training in the drone industry.

Patrick Hintz is a veteran pilot with 25 years of experience in the Canadian Armed Forces, where he piloted aircraft including the T-33, CT114, and CF5. Prior to his service in the CAF, he was a commercial helicopter pilot operating out of "The Muni" (Edmonton Municipal Airport). He began flying drones in spring 2023 under the instruction of Michel L. By fall 2023, Patrick had received his instructor and Transport Canada reviewer status, conducting flight reviews across locations from Calgary to Winnipeg. He enjoys the drone community and sees significant potential in its future.