Episode description

In PX111, our interview guest is Jesse Suskin, Head of Government Relations & Public Policy at Wing Aviation (https://wing.com). 

We talk all things drone delivery particularly the experience learnt in Logan in Queensland, Australia where there has been extensive delivery operations over a lengthy time period. 

Wing Aviation is an offshoot of Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc. 

Jesse Suskin is the head of government relations and public policy in Australia for Wing, a company that sees a future where drone delivery is the safest, fastest and most environmentally friendly way to transport small items. Before joining Wing in 2018, Jesse spent over six years with Google, working in government relations, public affairs, and public policy in Washington, DC and Sydney, Australia.  Earlier in his career, Jesse worked in politics and public service including at the White House as Associate Director of Communications for President George W. Bush, and as Director of Media Services for Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Jesse also worked for the Government of Australia at its Embassy in Washington, DC, advising Ambassador Kim Beazley.

Jesse serves on a number of advisory committees including the Australian Department of Infrastructure’s New and Emerging Aviation Technology Consultative Committee, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Regulatory Roadmap Technical Working Group, and the University of New South Wales School of Aviation’s Industry Advisory Committee.

In the interview we talk about how drone delivery works, the testing that has gone into the systems, how drone delivery offers alternatives to car based delivery methods and lessons learnt in the various trials around the world. Jesse also discusses working with local authorities including the sharing of data. 

In podcast extra / culture corner, Jesse recommends the ‘The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York’, a 1974 biography of Robert Moses by Robert Caro. Details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_Broker

Jess recommends ‘The Days’ a Netflix production on the Fukushima nuclear plant that experienced a Tsunami and earthquake in 2011. Details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wikiThe_Days_(Japanese_TV_series). Technical details of the incident can be found at https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/fukushima-daiichi-accident.aspx

Pete recommends ‘Fauda’ a Netflix series on the Middle East conflict. Details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauda

Audio production by Jack Bavage. Podcast released 5 December 2023.