Moving at the Speed of Business
Airde Elevated Thinking LLC is an aviation systems engineering firm founded in 2021, specializing in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and National Airspace System (NAS) integration. It supports federal aviation programs, UAS test range operations, and airfield autonomy research. Airde manages the Cape-Atlantic UAS Test Range in Cape May County, New Jersey, a 50nm x 50nm authorized airspace zone adjacent to the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center. Clients include the Federal Aviation Administration (ANG division), the DoD Air Mobility Command, the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park (NARTP), and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Center for UAS Integration (ACUASI).
Ray AdamsFounder and President; Director of NAS Integration
Ron LeachDirector of UAS Operations
Designing concepts, engineering system architectures, and developing integration solutions for urban and enhanced traffic management alongside next-generation air mobility infrastructure.
Establishing regulatory compliance, conducting safety risk management, and managing certificate authorizations for diverse unmanned aircraft operations.
Researching and engineering airfield communications, establishing command-and-control for advanced aircraft systems, and facilitating integration with air traffic control.
Providing engineering and design services for helipads, heliports, and specialized vertiports tailored to urban air mobility and advanced rotorcraft operations.
Administering authorized unmanned aircraft test sites, delivering safety risk assessments, and supporting operators with technical coordination and regulatory compliance.
Aviation · Federal · Defense
Cape May County, NJ · UAS / Drone Operations · Client: County of Cape May / University of Alaska Fairbanks (ACUASI) / Urban Low Altitude Transport Association
Management and operational support for the FAA-authorized UAS test site in Cape May County, New Jersey. This role covers a 50nm x 50nm airspace zone stretching from Atlantic City Airport to the Delaware shoreline and offshore military warning areas.
Atlantic City, NJ · Defense / DoD Air Mobility · Client: William J. Hughes Technical Center (WJHTC) / DoD US Air Force, Air Mobility Command (AMC) / National Aerospace Research and Technology Park (NARTP)
Engineering of airfield communications and command-and-control of Advanced Aircraft Systems; integration with air traffic control for commercial and military airfield operations at the NARTP and WJHTC.
Federal Aviation / FAA Programs · Client: Federal Aviation Administration (ANG)
Supporting FAA Air Navigation Group systems engineering for advancing flight autonomy research under SE2025 and SETIS programs.
Advanced Air Mobility / Urban Air Mobility · Client: National Aerospace Research and Technology Park (NARTP) / U.S. TRANSCOM-AMC
Development of a dual-use civilian Advanced Air Mobility autonomy corridor at the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park (NARTP) under a CRADA with U.S. TRANSCOM-AMC.