Has been involved with unmanned/uncrewed aircraft for 19 years in varying capacities and has been a rated UAS (drone) flight instructor since 2005. He started flying medium-sized fixed-wing UAS in the Army, working in Military Intelligence and has subsequently spent 6 years overseas supporting counter-terrorism operations in the Middle East and counter-drug operations in Central America. With experience on over three dozen UAS systems varying in size from 0.5 – 3,000 lbs. and operating a variety of specialized payloads and sensors in every environment imaginable, there is very little that he hasn't done in the field. Chris has conducted 17,000+ flight hours supporting all sectors of the drone market, from active duty service in the U.S. Army, as a defense contractor, academia, and public/civil agency support, to operations in the commercial business and non-profit sectors. Mr. Stiles' UAS experience includes conducting flight instruction, maintenance & repair, piloting & sensor operations, system & sensor research & development (R&D), general government contracting as well as logistical, analysis, programmatic support, technical writing, and safety & program development & administration. He has also helped academic institutions develop training programs and conduct research with unmanned aircraft. He has authored many technical publications and books, occasionally speaks at conferences, and actively promotes UAS education, adoption, and proper legislation for the technology. He has also been involved with multiple startup companies in executive leadership positions, as well as being on advisory boards. One of his companies, Unmanned Services, Inc., was an early company to apply for and receive a Section 333 Exemption from the FAA in 2015 and was also one of the first entities granted a night flight (daylight ops.) waiver in 2016. He has instructed and mentored thousands of students, including teaching hundreds of students in FAA Part 107 test prep courses since early 2016.