Meet our Drone and UAV Instructors
Douglas Spotted Eagle
Douglas Spotted Eagle, CEO of SMG, has long history of aviation from the adrenaline-filled world of fast-action videography in skydiving to commercial application of drone/UAV use. Douglas is one of two FAI International Judges in the USA, a USPA National Judge, with ratings as a USPA Instructor/Examiner, and one of a few Safety and Training Advisors at Large in North America, in addition to sport pilot ratings. With over 350 hours of flight time, over 6,000 skydives, and having completed numerous aerial cinematography projects, Douglas has an intimate knowledge of the FAA FARs and FSIMs. SMG’s new vision is to incorporate its years of aviation experience for best-practice straining and consulting into the world of Commercial and Infrastructure UAV use.
Luisa Casasnovas Winters
Luisa is an Adobe Master Instructor, Apple trainer, Private Pilot, Remote Pilot, Certified Advanced Ground School Instructor from the FAA, and certified thermographer (level 1). To date, she has over 500 hundred hours of flight time.
Luisa is an internationally celebrated instructor, presenter, and musician. An accomplished videographer, editor, 3D animator and graphics designer, she has created and edited scores of broadcast video and web projects for corporate, government, and educational, commercial and private clients. She has won many awards, including 4 Tellys, a Videographer, and many more.
She has been an educator for over 30 years teaching Adobe, Apple and production classes for clients in government, military and private organizations. Luisa started teaching Adobe and Apple products in 1998. “Flying and teaching became natural to me; if we can teach people how to fly, they will continue life believing there’s nothing they cannot do.”
Luisa is a Lynda.com author, and has written books, articles, and podcasts on editing, production and drones.
Jennifer Pidgen
Jennifer Pidgen is a rated USPA regional wingsuit and speed skydiving judge. Jennifer is no stranger to logistical and analytical services that support aviation and UAV flight. With over 20 years of marketing experience within the consumer electronics and photo/ video channels and holding a degree in finance, Jennifer manages vendor/sponsor relationships, UAV Logistics/Operations, and syllabus review. Her expertise is inspiring conversation and cultivating mutually-beneficial partnerships; each with a focus towards building a successful and safe UAV community.
