Teaching entrepreneurs, executives, and investors how to build aviation and technology companies — with lessons earned in Army special operations, billion-dollar Boeing programs, and on the factory floor.
“Acknowledge the Challenge.
Focus the Opportunity.”™
— The operating principle behind everything I build
"Brian Long transforms tragedy into purpose while building an American drone movement that challenges an industry and redefines leadership."
From the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment to the factory floor in Reno, Nevada.
Watch the Episode →Night Stalkers Don't Quit. The standards, preparation, and leadership foundation everything since has been built upon.
Leading at institutional scale — billion-dollar aviation programs — and learning which lessons transfer to the founder's chair, and which do not.
Government contracting, FAA-approved UAS test range operations, and aviation training. Built it, exited it, carried every lesson forward.
American-made consumer, commercial, educational, and defense drones — manufactured in Reno, Nevada, in the market the 2025 foreign drone ban sent home.
25 years in aviation. 6+ years as a UAS executive. Still in the arena.
Brian "Bazz" Long is the Founder and CEO of Specter Aero — America's only veteran-owned consumer drone manufacturer. A former 160th SOAR Night Stalker operator and Boeing Senior Program Manager, he brings over 25 years of aviation experience spanning special operations, large-scale aerospace program management, government contracting, and UAS executive leadership.
Beyond manufacturing, Long is a recognized voice in UAS executive leadership — advising drone entrepreneurs, operators, and executives on building aviation and technology companies with the standards and discipline forged in special operations and billion-dollar aerospace programs.
Author of the forthcoming Built in America (2027). Featured executive on Operation CEO, Inside Success TV.
Every engagement is limited. Application or inquiry required.
An active drone manufacturing CEO embedded in your business as part of your leadership team. Making decisions alongside you, representing you to investors, and operating at board level. For growth-stage aviation, UAS, and defense-tech companies that need C-suite experience without a C-suite price tag.
Strategic advisory for aviation and UAS founders, operators, and executives. Two focused sessions per month plus async support — business structure, government contracting, fundraising, supply chain, certification strategy, and go-to-market.
30-day hands-on mentorship. Four weekly 1:1 calls, a custom business audit, async Slack access, and all relevant digital products included. For founders who want someone building alongside them.
Six signature keynotes — Leadership at Altitude, Built in America, The American Drone Revolution, and more — delivered to corporate, government, defense, and investor audiences.
Built from the real playbook — not theory.
The unforced errors that end promising UAS companies — several of which I made myself. 13 pages. No fluff.
Day-by-day action plan for launching a commercial drone service business. Scripts, checklists, and frameworks included.
Phase-by-phase roadmap for entrepreneurs building American drone hardware companies. The guide nobody else is writing.
Launch an American drone parts business. Printer guide, materials cost calculator, domestic supplier directory, and the IP licensing play nobody else is teaching.
The repair gap nobody is filling. Complete roadmap, repair pricing calculator, fleet contract templates, parts inventory list, and 30-day launch checklist.
44,000 federal buildings. Almost nobody cleaning them with drones. Equipment guide, GovCon path, capability statement template, and per-building pricing.
The prioritized playbook for federal UAS contracting. SAM.gov walk-through, SBIR strategy, SDVOSB guide, state programs, and a pre-filled capability statement. Real walk-throughs. Honest verdicts.
Launch a commercial ag drone spraying business. FAA Part 137 guide, equipment selection, revenue model at $12/acre, and first client acquisition.
The $550M market growing at 25% annually. Fleet requirements, event pricing, choreography software guide, and first show checklist.
37-page execution blueprint + Specter Aero Operating Principles + Excel toolkit (COGS calculator, BOM master template, financial model). The only manufacturing guide written by someone actively doing it.
7 modules. Real decisions. Real numbers. Real lessons learned building Specter Aero.
Get the Blueprint →Live monthly Zoom call with Bazz + private Circle community. Ask anything about building your drone business — from someone actively doing it. Open enrollment. No application required.
Cancel anytime.
Join the Group →MORE PRODUCTS LAUNCHING AUG 10 · JOIN THE LIST BELOW TO BE NOTIFIED
Most business books are retrospectives. This one is being written live.
From the Night Stalkers to Boeing's billion-dollar programs to the founder's chair — the honest account of what it actually costs to build something real in America, and why it's worth it.
Join the list to follow the writing and receive first access at launch.
As featured on Operation CEO. Fees from $5,000.
What Army Special Operations and Boeing teach about standards, decision-making under pressure, and building teams that hold their standard when the leader isn't in the room.
Corporate conferences, military transition, executive offsites.
The case — and the playbook — for bringing manufacturing home. Why America stopped building things, what the drone ban revealed, and what the next generation of builders needs right now.
Manufacturing associations, investor conferences, policy forums.
Inside the industry redefining national security, public safety, and commerce. The strategic gap defense leaders are missing and how executives should position for the next decade of American UAS.
Defense forums, investor summits, government audiences.
The executive operating principle forged in special operations — applied to every organization facing uncertainty, disruption, or high-stakes decisions.
Leadership development, veteran organizations, entrepreneurship events.
The veteran-to-executive journey — what special operations forged, what corporate America tested, and what founding a company revealed. The leadership translation most veterans never make, and how to make it.
Veteran organizations, military transition programs, leadership summits, MBA programs.
AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing are converging to rebuild what America outsourced. Specter Aero is leading the way in consumer drones — the blueprint for domestic manufacturing in the next decade and why companies that move now own the market.
Manufacturing associations, economic development, technology conferences, investor summits. Premium keynote — $7,500+.
Booking inquiries · speaking@brianlongceo.com
Affordable American-made drones — from the Nomad Woop to the Atlas Pro 24″ — built on a modular ecosystem: one fuselage, swappable arms, optics, batteries, and skins. Veteran-owned. Manufactured in Reno, Nevada.
Visit flyspecteraero.com →Three guides. Three paths. Choose yours — enter your email and it's on its way.
The unforced errors that end promising UAS companies. Start here regardless of your path.
Building a drone service business — operations, clients, and first revenue in 30 days.
Building an American drone hardware company — the seven-phase roadmap I wish existed.
You'll also receive Let's Build — an occasional letter on leadership, manufacturing, and building Specter Aero. Unsubscribe anytime.