As 2024 comes to a close, we at the Airborne Sensor Operators Group (ASOG) International Aircrew Association want to take a moment to reflect on an incredible year filled with milestones, growth, and achievements. Here's a look back at some of the highlights that made this year unforgettable for our members and supporters.
ASOG 2024 End-of-Year e-Newsletter Sponsor
Thank you to this special e-newsletter sponsor for promoting our mission and community.
SPECIAL EVENTS & GATHERINGS
Conferences - This year, the ASOG community participated in three outstanding conferences, i.e., SWIFT Europe, Aerial Firefighting Series North America, and the Police Aviation Conference Europe (PAvCON). These events featured presentations from leaders in airborne operations and technology, and they were a hub of networking and innovation.
Most notable was PAvCON Europe 2024. This year's conference, held from May 27-29 at Airborne Technologies in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, successfully brought together leading experts and professionals from the police aviation sector, including many ASOG members. The conference, known for fostering advancements in airborne public order & safety support, featured various technical presentations, hands-on demonstrations, and invaluable networking opportunities.
Regional Meet-ups - Across Europe, our regional meetups fostered community and collaboration. The standout events were the AERO Friedrichshafen, EUROPEAN ROTORS, and Wiener Neustadt Meet-Ups, which focused on cross-border networking in all things aerial remote-sensing. A big thank you to our sponsors, FlySight s.r.l., Airborne Technologies GmbH, and Kabelik GmbH, for supporting these professional networking events.
Workshops and Training - This year, we hosted over 3 workshops or training courses, including the ever-popular "Basic Airborne Mission Management & Sensor" course. In addition, we debuted a one-of-a-kind course related to "Aerial Surveying & Mapping." These events undoubtedly equipped attendees with the tools to excel in their missions.
SPOTLIGHT ON PEOPLE
Member Achievements - Congratulations to ASOG Corporate Support Smith Myers Communications. The team at Smith Myers received the prestigious King's Award for Enterprise Innovation 2024 (U.K.) for their work in developing a suite of Search and Rescue (SAR) systems that have been saving lives worldwide. Their dedication continues to inspire our community.
Volunteer Excellence - A special thank-you to the following dedicated volunteers. This year, they all spearheaded or supported our networking and training initiatives, connecting seasoned operators, sharing critical knowledge, and promoting the ASO profession around the globe:
Rising Stars: We're excited to highlight Andrea Masini, one of our new ASOG Authors, who has already made a name for himself in just a few months by posting several very informative articles related to the ASO community.
WELCOME NEW CORPORATE SUPPORTERS
This year, we welcomed several new ASOG Corporate Sponsors who share our passion for the ASO profession and advancing airborne sensor operations:
- Helihub.com & Parapex Media
- Schweizer Helicopter
- First Aerospace Law
- INFOGEO
- Airbotics Talent
Their support helps us expand our association's mission and reach more professionals worldwide.
MEMORABLE ARTICLES & MEDIA
Top Articles
- "Wing Tips – My Hypoxic Event" by Darren Daigle shared a compelling aircrew experience, providing invaluable lessons to help prevent other ASOs from facing potentially dangerous in-flight events.
- "Overcoming the Human Aviation Challenges in Mission-Critical Operations" by Andrea Masini explored the physical, technical, and physiological challenges helicopter operators face in their roles.
- "Chair Flying: A Powerful Tool for Airborne Sensor Operators and Non-Rated Aircrew" by Patrick Ryan shared his thoughts on the mental rehearsal technique that has proven invaluable, whether for sharpening skills, mastering emergency procedures, or simply staying prepared for any mission.
Demographic Highlights: As many know, ASOG represents a growing population of professional aviators of all ages, backgrounds, interests, and experiences worldwide. As a professional career association, many members are active manned and unmanned aircraft operators. Additionally, we have professionals who are part of the ecosystem of industries and organizations that support or rely on the Airborne Sensor Operator (ASO) profession. Here's our current stats as of the end of 2024 and going into 2025:
Association Membership
- 667 Members (Operators, Subject Matter Experts, Industry Reps, etc.)
- Growing by 4 New Members per Month
Social Media – Followers & Connections
- LinkedIn Profile - 5,000+ 1st Level Connections, 700,000+ 2nd Level Connections
- LinkedIn Private Group - 1,310 Members
- LinkedIn Organization Page - 643 Followers (Since 2022)
- Growing by 10 New Followers & Connections per Month
Membership and Social Media Geo Foot-Print
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025
The coming year promises to be even more exciting:
- New initiatives include launching online (Webinar & Podcast) programs for the ASOG community and aircrew, i.e., training events, new technology reviews, and interviews.
- Add an online shop for members to purchase branded products, publications, and other aircrew-related kits.
- Expanded partnerships with industry leaders to bring more resources to our members.
- Continue to organize or support regional live professional networking events.
THANK YOU FOR A GREAT YEAR
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our members, volunteers, and supporters. Thank you for being part of the ASOG family. We look forward to soaring to new heights with you in 2025.
Wishing you a happy and safe New Year!
Sincerely,
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