The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) recently named Robert Brock as interim director of aviation.
Brock has served as the state’s director for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and as chairman of the Kansas UAS Joint Task Force. During this time, the task force integrated the state’s Unmanned Traffic Management with the National Airspace System.
Before joining KDOT, he served in the U.S. Air Force. Brock is also a helicopter instructor pilot and an instrument-rated commercial fixed-wing pilot.
“We are so fortunate at KDOT to have such a talented and passionate person like Bob Brock to take over aviation,” Secretary of Transportation Richard Carlson said. “After already serving the state and the agency in opening new doors for UAS, Brock is in the best possible position to make great strides for aviation in Kansas.”
Brock said he was looking forward to promoting the growth of Kansas’ aviation industry.
As interim director, Brock will work with aviation stakeholders across the nation and the Federal Aviation Administration to support Kansas aviation. He also will represent Kansas in the FAA Drone Advisory Committee-Task Group Three and the Transportation Research Board.
He will oversee the Science, Technology, and Aviation Resource program, the Unmanned Systems Program, and the Kansas Airport Improvement Program.