AltaSea & Flying Lion Launch Scientific and Educational Partnership to Develop an “Unmanned Aircraft System Center of Excellence”

Port of LA Executive Director Gene Seroka commends the partnership’s efforts to drive innovation in the Blue Economy.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles and Flying Lion, Inc. (FLI) have announced a multi-faceted partnership to develop a world-class Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Center of Excellence, which will provide maritime research support, STEM education, job training, and commercial services on AltaSea’s 35-acre site at the Port. FLI, which started its partnership on January 15, joins two organizations with aligning missions – to accelerate scientific collaboration and transform the rapidly-growing “Blue Economy” at AltaSea.

"Flying Lion will be an important addition to our campus as we continue our leadership in the Blue Economy,” said AltaSea CEO Tim McOsker. “AltaSea’s mission is to convene the next generation of entrepreneurs that fight climate change through new and innovative technology, education and collaboration. This new partnership advances our mission.”

Flying Lion, Inc. provides an on-demand rapid aerial assessment and imaging services to Law Enforcement and Emergency Service Departments with remotely operated copters with built-in high definition and infrared cameras. The company currently provides a commercial drone pilot course at Santa Monica College and El Camino College in Torrance, CA.

“The synergy between AltaSea’s campus and Flying Lion UAS expertise creates an optimal environment to jointly develop breakthrough ocean-related research and discovery solutions to environmental problems,” said Flying Lion CEO Barry Brennan.

The AltaSea-Flying Lion partnership has four primary pillars:

• Public outreach and community education: Both organizations have a mutual interest in supporting K-12 science education and engaging students from underrepresented communities in STEM. This partnership will engage in student mentoring, virtual learning resources, and other public science education programming.

• Talent and workforce development: In line with AltaSea’s goals, this partnership will further their efforts to grow a robust regional workforce development, providing students opportunities and job training, and connecting FLI to the community of companies at AltaSea.

• Innovation ecosystem building: Through FLI and AltaSea’s dedication to creating a robust innovation economy, the partnership will promote entrepreneurship and community building.

• Research collaboration and commercialization: Through this partnership, AltaSea and FLI will expand their industry research collaborations through programs that facilitate corporate sponsored research and collaborative use of facilities.

In February 2020, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) and AltaSea co-authored a report that designated the ocean economy as a new category of jobs in Los Angeles – the first addition in over a decade. The report states that this new economic engine will produce more than 126,000 direct jobs and pay wages upwards of $37.7 billion by 2023 in LA County alone.

“AltaSea is living up to its mission by creating key partnerships with new, cutting-edge companies to drive innovation, sustainability, and grow the Blue Economy,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We’re pleased to welcome Flying Lion and its Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Center of Excellence to AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles.”

About AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles
AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles is dedicated to accelerating scientific collaboration, advancing an emerging blue economy through business innovation and job creation, and inspiring the next generation, all for a more sustainable, just, and equitable world.

For more information on AltaSea, please see our website: altasea.org

About Flying Lion, Inc.
Flying Lion, Inc. (FLI) is a Los Angeles-based training organization and drone service provider to Public Safety Agencies, Community Colleges, School Districts and Municipalities. One specialty is providing on-demand rapid aerial assessment and imaging services to Law Enforcement and Emergency Service Departments utilizing drones with built-in high definition and infrared cameras. The company also provides commercial drone pilot courses at Santa Monica College and El Camino College in Torrance, CA. Please visit our website at: www.flyinglioninc.com