RPAS Specialist &

Tactical Operations Instructor

Sergeant

Bob Hawn

Bob is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over two decades of operational experience. A graduate of the Police Foundations program at Algonquin College and an alumnus of Carleton University, Sgt. Hawn has dedicated his career to advancing tactical operations and aerial surveillance capabilities within the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Since joining the OPP in 2001, he has served in multiple jurisdictions across Ontario, specializing in high-risk operations as a member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT). His expertise spans Search and Rescue (SAR), tactical deployments, and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) operations, ensuring mission success in complex and dynamic environments.

With over 20 years within the OPP, Sgt. Hawn has accumulated extensive flight hours conducting ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions, search and rescue operations, and law enforcement training exercises. His credentials include Advanced RPAS Pilot Certification with Transport Canada, along with Flight Reviewer designation—certifying him to assess and qualify operators for official RPAS deployment in Canada.

Additionally, Sgt. Hawn holds Registered Operator Certificates in both Aeronautical (ROC-A) and Marine (ROC-M) communications, ensuring seamless integration of airborne assets in multi-agency operations. His background in police operational planning, tactical response, and RPAS mission execution reinforces his ability to train personnel for real-world operational effectiveness.

As a subject matter expert in law enforcement drone applications, Sgt. Hawn brings a highly disciplined, structured training standard to Clarion Drone Academy. His commitment to operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and mission-driven training ensures that agencies receive cutting-edge instruction tailored to the demands of military, law enforcement, and government operations.

RPAS Specialist & Infrastructure Surveillance Expert

Ron Harper

Ron is a veteran of the telecommunications industry with over 30 years of experience in critical infrastructure operations.  Recognizing the evolving landscape of the industry, Ron took the initiative to found UAV Tower Innovations Inc. in 2014, pioneering the integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for telecommunications and infrastructure assessments.

As a certified Transport Canada RPAS Pilot holding a Compliant and Complex Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for nationwide operations, He has conducted mission-critical aerial assessments for national telecommunications providers, 

His deployment of the Aeryon Skyranger RPAS for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) mapping played a vital role in the 407 Highway expansion project in 2017, Ron has also conducted precision mapping and surveying operations for government, military, and industrial sectors, specializing in:

• Aggregate site reconnaissance – Executing high-accuracy topographic surveys and volumetric analysis for gravel pits and quarries 

• Structural integrity inspections – Conducting assessments on critical infrastructure, including buildings, wind turbine towers, bridges.

• Thermal imaging & SAR operations – Utilizing infrared detection technology to identify structural anomalies and assist Search and Rescue (SAR) teams in missing person operations

• Mining sector reconnaissance – Generating high-resolution orthomosaics, 3D mapping, point clouds, and contour models for gold mining operations.

Ron Harper brings unparalleled technical expertise, precision data collection, and operational foresight to Clarion Drone Academy. His contributions reinforce our commitment to equipping law enforcement, military, and government agencies with the highest level of unmanned aerial intelligence training.

ISR & Military Drone Operations Specialist

David MacDonald

Military Background

• 25 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces (Retired 2010), specializing in Air Defence Artillery.

• Extensive experience in domestic and international operations, including training, security, and command roles.

• Commander of Readiness Training Flight, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, responsible for training 3,000 Air Force personnel for overseas deployment.

• Commander, Air Space Operations Coordination Centre, Kandahar, Afghanistan (2008-2009) – Oversaw all drone operations in Kandahar Province.

• ISR & Drone Operations Expertise

• 14+ years of private sector experience in Large RPAS BVLOS flight operations & training.

• Accumulated 1,000+ flight hours in support of Canadian military operations in Afghanistan and naval missions in the Indian Ocean aboard a Canadian Naval Ship.

• SCANEAGLE UAV Qualified – Basic flight operations, maintenance, and maritime applications.

• Transport Canada RPAS Instructor & Flight Reviewer.

• Holds Restricted Operator Certificate - Air (ROC-A).

• Professional Experience

• Field Service Representative, ING Robotic Aviation (2010-2014) – Provided ISR and UAV operations support.

• Operations Manager, Drone Delivery Canada (2018-2019) – Managed UAV-based logistics and operations.

• Operations & Training Manager, ING Robotic Aviation, Ottawa (2019-2022) – Led training and operational readiness for UAV deployments.

• Senior Manager, CFMWS, NATO Operations, Camp Adazi, Latvia (2022-2023) – Provided morale and welfare support for NATO forces.

• Independent Contractor, CALIAN (2024-Present) – Delivering simulation training at the Canadian Army Simulation Centre (CASC).

Military Awards & Commendations

• Canadian Service Medals (Afghanistan, 2008-2013).

• NATO Commendation (2005-2007) – Recognized for excellence in NATO Tactical Training.

• United States Army Meritorious Service Medal (2005-2006) – For exceptional instructor standards in military training.

​