ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the resources and stakeholders that any Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) enthusiast, pilot, or manufacturer would do well to know and become active in. The UAS operators, educators, and public are very disconnected and yearning for relationships that help some feel safe, others motivated to help, and of course some better equipped to make money. The specter of government oversight and involvement often scares all but the most seasoned UAS veterans. A variety of organizations exist that are positive players in the UAS environment; however, even those have elements within them that seek to promote only their interests at the cost of the well-being of the UAS community. The communities discussed basically breakdown into three categories that will all be recognized with examples for each: advocacy and membership groups; educational entities; and manufacturers, vendors and companies. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International is among the most advanced, sophisticated, and politically savvy groups in the unmanned field.
