# Todd Graetz

> Todd Graetz is the co-founder and CEO of Aerolane, a Texas aviation startup building autonomous towed cargo gliders called Aerocarts, which let ordinary planes tow extra payload for only a marginal increase in fuel burn. Before Aerolane he spent his career at BNSF Railway, where he co-founded the railroad's uncrewed aircraft systems program and helped launch some of the first long-range beyond-visual-line-of-sight commercial drone flights in the U.S. under the FAA Pathfinder program. He is an active private pilot, an AUVSI board member, and a veteran of multiple FAA advisory and rulemaking committees.

- **Role:** Co-Founder & CEO at Aerolane
- **Organizations:** Aerolane, BNSF Railway, AUVSI, FAA advisory and rulemaking committees
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** University of Denver
- **Known for:** Co-founded Aerolane and its patented Aerocart autonomous towed cargo glider system, Co-founded BNSF Railway's uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) program, Helped launch some of the first long-range beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) commercial drone flights in the U.S. under the FAA Pathfinder program

## Career timeline

- **pre-2021** — Member of BNSF Railway's field operations and innovation team; co-founded the BNSF Railway UAS Program and Advanced Train Operations group
- **pre-2021** — Participated in FAA Pathfinder 3 (BVLOS) and the FAA/BNSF CRDA program; served on the FAA Drone Advisory Committee and multiple FAA advisory and rulemaking committees
- **2021** — Co-founded Aerolane with Gur Kimchi and Doron Appelboim
- **2022** — Began Aerocart prototype flight testing across the southern U.S. (Texas and Florida)
- **2024** — Advanced from concept to flying reality within three years; test fleet of 7 aircraft and 100+ flight-test hours under an FAA experimental license
- **2025** — Established flight operations headquarters at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport within the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone

## Achievements

- Co-founded Aerolane and its patented Aerocart autonomous towed cargo glider system
- Co-founded BNSF Railway's uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) program
- Helped launch some of the first long-range beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) commercial drone flights in the U.S. under the FAA Pathfinder program
- Board of Directors member at AUVSI
- Served on the FAA Drone Advisory Committee and multiple FAA advisory and rulemaking committees
- Led Aerolane to 100+ flight-test hours and a 7-aircraft test fleet under an FAA experimental license

## Latest updates

- **2025-04** — Aerolane established its flight operations headquarters at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport to drive test flights, FAA certification, and product development.

## Links

- Website: https://aerolane.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/toddgraetz
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-T6LnYhPYo

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/todd-graetz
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-08