Mark Blanks serves as the Head of Global Flight Operations at Wing, a prominent position in the aviation industry.
In the rapidly evolving world of drone technology, Mark Blanks, the Head of Global Flight Operations, Standards, and Regulatory Affairs at Wing, is spearheading the movement to bring drone delivery from testing environments into daily life.
Blanks' primary responsibility is to ensure that drone delivery systems are safe, compliant, and scalable across regions. This includes overseeing flight planning, pilot oversight, maintenance policies, and international compliance frameworks. His work is instrumental in making Wing one of the first drone delivery firms authorized to operate as a U.S. airline.
Blanks' leadership extends beyond the United States, as he oversees delivery operations in Australia, Ireland, and Finland. He leads teams managing every part of the flight process, including pilot training, fleet maintenance, and safety checks.
Safety is a top priority for Blanks, and he emphasizes safety protocols, technology integration, and regulatory compliance to ensure safe drone operations globally. His involvement in discussions about drone standards, as seen in a podcast episode of ASTM International's "Taking to the Skies: Drone Standards," further underscores his commitment to this cause.
Blanks is also instrumental in aligning Wing with evolving regulations around Remote ID, UTM, and airspace safety. He chairs the ASTM F38 Committee on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, working on setting guidelines for safety, cybersecurity, and performance.
Mark Blanks sees drone delivery as an essential part of future logistics infrastructure. Through his leadership, drone delivery is becoming part of modern infrastructure, with Blanks envisioning Wing supporting national drone corridors, cross-border UTM integration, and real-time airspace coordination.
Blanks brings a blend of technical expertise and regulatory strategy from his background in UAS testing and airspace policy. His work ensures Wing can operate safely, scale globally, and set the standard for autonomous aviation. Above all, Blanks emphasizes safety, regulation, predictability, standardization, continuous improvement, and public trust in drone delivery.
In summary, Mark Blanks is a leader in global drone delivery, flight operations, and aviation policy, driving the integration of drone delivery into mainstream logistics infrastructure while prioritizing safety and regulation.
