Local and state leaders along with the students and Iaboni pose for a group picture before the launch. (Submitted photo)

One hundred years ago, when Dum-Dums lollipops were first created, the primary method of distribution to customers was horse-drawn delivery wagons. This past weekend, this iconic candy brand was delivered by a drone.

A drone demonstration took place on Friday, Aug. 16, departing the Catawba Island State Park a little after 1 p.m. A chase boat, captained by Nikolai Blumensaadt, followed the drone across Lake Erie landing at the South Bass Island Lighthouse. From departure to the landing, the demonstration took 17 minutes and 17 seconds to complete.

The inaugural flight was a key element of a drone certification program at the Liberty Aviation Museum, attended by high school students and taught by Pramod Abichandani, founder of LocoRobo. The three-day drone certification program was a partnership between the Erie-Ottawa International Airport, the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation and LocoRobo.

The teachings included how the four forces – thrust, drag, weight and lift – act on drones, how to pilot certain types of drones, safety regulations including when and where to fly, and what information must be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Much like private pilot training, students also studied aeronautical decision making, such as ‘Should I be piloting? Have I had enough sleep?’ and ‘Am I thinking straight?’

Clay Finken and Craig Iaboni set up a drone for Operation Lollipop Drop. (Submitted photo)

The curriculum was developed by LocoRobo based on FAA regulations. Abichandani formulated the curriculum to teach the content and to gain knowledge and mastery for a future career as a certified drone pilot. Abichandani was assisted by graduate student, Craig Iaboni. Five high school students from Port Clinton, Put-in-Bay, Perkins, Sandusky and Danbury schools participated.

One of those students, Rose Fanning, has been around aviation her whole life and jumped at the opportunity to participate in the drone certification program.

Pramod Abichandani and Cody Kowalski receive the Dum-Dum suckers delivery on Put-in-Bay. (Submitted photo)

“I’ve learned so much valuable information and some of it wasn’t even about drones. Pramod told me on day one that we’ve already beaten 90% of the competition just by showing up,” Fanning said.

Fanning wanted to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather, who was a pilot. After this experience, she has a love for flying both planes and drones.

“My passion was just planes. Now I want to get a drone and start a business as a side gig,” Fanning said. “I am extremely honored for every person who has mentored me through this process. I’ve met some amazing people, such as the CEO of the company that makes Dum-Dum lollipops.”

The drone certification program, which ran August 14-16, prepared the students to take the FAA exam, available at the Bowling Green Flight Center. The program will help pay the testing fee.

As part of the drone pilot program, in an event dubbed “Operation Lollipop Drop,” a group of local, state, and business leaders, as well as the students, gathered at the Catawba Island State Park to observe the first Ohio-based launch of a fully-autonomous cargo delivery via drone to South Bass Island in Lake Erie. The product was a package of Dum-Dum lollipops donated by the Spangler Candy Company.

“Dum-Dums is celebrating its 100th birthday this year and is now known as the treat you can find pretty much everywhere,” said Kirk Vashaw, Chairman and CEO of Spangler Candy Company, manufacturer of Dum-Dums. “The 12 million Dum-Dums we produce daily make their way into banks, beauty salons, car washes, restaurants, parades, kitchen counters and everywhere people can use a smile to brighten their day. Now using drone technology, we can spread more smiles to even more places.”