The Story
I’m Nicklas Hendershot, the operator behind AeroPulse CAS — a local, safety-first drone search support program focused on missing pets and community SAR assistance across North Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee.
Why I built AeroPulse CAS:
When a pet or person goes missing, the hardest part is time and coverage. AeroPulse CAS exists to help families and communities cover ground faster, make smarter search decisions, and bring extra eyes in the air — with a calm, organized approach.
AeroPulse CAS is led by an FAA Part 107–certified UAS operator with thermal and high-resolution visual search capability for day or night missions when conditions allow. Every deployment follows a structured search workflow—rapid last-known-location intake, grid planning, and mapped points of interest—while keeping safety and airspace compliance at the center of the operation. You’ll get clear communication throughout the search, along with practical updates and actionable information (pins/coordinates, notes, and imagery when helpful). Outcomes can’t be guaranteed, but our focus is always speed, coverage, and smart coordination to improve the odds.
Community Air Service
AeroPulse Community Air Service (CAS) is our way of giving back to the place we call home. In the Tennessee Valley, it doesn’t take much for a situation to turn serious—thick woods, rough terrain, and long distances can make searches and emergencies difficult, even for the best-trained crews. Our goal with CAS is simple: provide an extra set of eyes from above when it can help someone get found faster or help responders make safer, better-informed decisions.
We want to be clear about something up front: local first responders do an incredible job, and they will always be the lead in any emergency. CAS is not here to replace anyone or get in the way. We exist to support the work already being done by offering aerial visibility—whether that means covering large areas quickly, helping maintain situational awareness, or assisting with locating a person when time and conditions are working against you.
CAS flights are provided at no charge. We don’t bill agencies or families for missions. If someone wants to help keep the program running, we accept donations to offset operational costs like travel, batteries, equipment wear, and insurance—but the mission comes first, and money is never the deciding factor.
Above all, CAS is about neighbors helping neighbors. When a situation is urgent and every minute matters, we’re ready to coordinate, fly safely, and deliver useful information as quickly as possible. If you’re with fire, sheriff’s office, emergency management—or you’re a local family in need—reach out. If we can help, we will.