Platform Expands Drone Management Capabilities for U.S. Operators
Drone management platform FlyFreely has been accepted as a provider for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC). This designation allows FlyFreely to offer automated airspace authorizations for drone operations in controlled airspace across the United States.
Expansion into U.S. Airspace Management
With its acceptance into LAANC, FlyFreely now integrates with three national Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems: Australia’s CASA RPAS Platform, New Zealand’s Airshare, and now LAANC in the United States. This development expands FlyFreely’s reach, allowing its customers to operate drones more efficiently across multiple regions.
Co-founder and CEO Dr. David Cole described the milestone as an important step in the company’s growth. “We’ve been growing rapidly since 2019 and have established ourselves as the most trusted drone management platform in Australia. Following a successful expansion into New Zealand in 2022, the US was the next logical step and we’re excited for the opportunity.”
FlyFreely’s U.S. expansion benefits multinational companies that require a unified solution for managing drone operations across different countries. “It’s a game-changer for customers that have operations in Australia, New Zealand and the US, as it ensures they can seamlessly operate through the one platform,” Dr. Cole added.
Support for North American Drone Operators
To further assist drone operators in North America, FlyFreely has expanded support within its platform for Canada and Mexico. This additional capability provides companies operating in multiple jurisdictions with a streamlined approach to compliance and fleet management.
“If you are running drone operations across more than one country in North America and facing challenges managing your operations, FlyFreely is uniquely positioned to help with our innovative multi-jurisdiction management system,” said Dr. Cole.
Solutions for Part 107 Waiver Holders
FlyFreely’s experience supporting complex drone operations in Australia and New Zealand positions it as a valuable tool for U.S. operators working under FAA Part 107 Waivers. These waivers allow drone pilots to conduct operations that go beyond standard Part 107 regulations, requiring a higher level of compliance and record-keeping.
“Waiver holders face unique challenges as they are personally responsible for any operations occurring under their waiver. Furthermore, they require a higher level of record keeping and compliance,” Dr. Cole explained. FlyFreely’s platform provides tools to manage waiver conditions effectively while minimizing the burden on standard Part 107 operations.
Additionally, FlyFreely offers a waiver-sharing feature that allows organizations to share waivers for short-term use. This capability is beneficial for companies waiting for FAA approval or those looking to gain experience before obtaining their own waiver. “Our platform has a unique authority and workflow system which enables multiple waivers to be simultaneously managed side by side,” said Dr. Cole.
Drone Management and Compliance Tools
FlyFreely was developed by drone operators to simplify commercial UAS operations, compliance, and fleet management. The platform includes a mobile app that supports offline mission planning and execution, with compatibility for Smart Controllers to automatically retrieve flight logs.
Additionally, FlyFreely supports cloud-based flight log syncing for major drone platforms, including DJI, Skydio, and DroneDeploy. This feature enhances record-keeping and ensures compliance with operational requirements.
With its integration into LAANC and expanded support for North American drone operators, FlyFreely continues to offer solutions for businesses looking to scale and manage their drone operations efficiently across multiple regions.
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Read more:
- FlyFreely in Australia: Drone Safety App Startup Gets CASA Authorization
- SORA-Mate: New Automated Risk Assessment Tool Launched for Drone Operators in Australia and New Zealand
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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