Skyward, an information management solutions firm specializing in UAV market, is assisting companies with getting their commercial drone initiatives off the ground. Three firms that recently received Section 333 exemptions with assistance from Skyward are Dronos , Hover Solutions , and TriCity Electric. Each worked with the Skyward professional services team to build safe, professional drone programs and obtained regulatory approval from the FAA.
“Skyward has provided invaluable help in setting up our business to operate safely and efficiently,” said Stuart Showalter of Hover Solutions. “Not only have they helped to prepare and submit our documents, they have also offered many useful seminars on the details of running a drone business. Their work has saved us much administrative time and allowed us to focus on what we love to do: provide amazing aerial images and videos using drones.”
“With little regulatory knowledge or experience we viewed FAA approval as our largest obstacle to overcome and ultimately the thing that would heed our business if not granted or done properly,” said Jacob Longhurst, Dronos CEO. “The Skyward professional services team handled the entire process and allowed us to concentrate on other business needs without having to worry about what we felt was one of the biggest parts to operating an UAS company legally.”
Receiving FAA approval to operate is just the first step. General operating manuals, operations handbooks, checklists, and safety procedures are all foundational elements of a legitimate aircraft program and drones are no exception. “ Not every company that uses drones is run by an aviation or regulatory expert. Skyward bridges the knowledge gap between aviators and executives and helps companies simplify the complexities of building and managing drone programs,” said Jonathan Evans, Skyward CEO.
To help more companies build safe and professional foundations, Skyward recently introduced the ‘Take Flight’ package, that includes:
- Customizable versions of Skyward’s General Operating Manual and Operations Handbook
- Policies and procedures guide
- Petition letter for a 333 Exemption (USA)
- Special Flight Operation Certificate application(Canada)
- FAA and Transport Canada exemption application guides
- Welcome call, with advice on operational procedures and best practices
- Guidance on navigating the regulatory process
“This material is the result of three years working with drone operators, regulators, and insurance companies from around the world.” said Nick Wayne, director of business development. “We’re thrilled to be able to share these best practices with commercial drone operators who might not have the aviation background or UAS operating experience required to develop them on their own.”
To learn more about the ‘Take Flight’ package visit skyward.io/proservices/#takeflight or contact pro.services@skyward.io.
Frank Schroth is editor in chief of DroneLife, the authoritative source for news and analysis on the drone industry: it’s people, products, trends, and events.
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