Flying Lion Launches Remote Staffing Service for 24/7 DFR Operations

New service combines remote pilots with pilot management software to help public safety and security organizations extend drone coverage

Flying Lion has launched a new Remote Staffing Service designed to help public safety and security organizations operate Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs around the clock.

Announced at the National Real Time Crime Center Association conference in Phoenix, the service combines remote pilots with Flying Lion’s custom pilot management software. Agencies can use the service to supplement existing teams, cover staffing gaps, launch new programs, or outsource remote pilot operations.

Remote pilots can work within an agency’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) or Security Operations Center (SOC). They can also support operations remotely through Flying Lion. The company offers both sworn and unsworn pilots, including current or recently retired law enforcement personnel when needed.

Platform-Agnostic Support for DFR Programs

Flying Lion says its pilots are cross-trained across major DFR hardware and software platforms. That allows agencies to use the staffing service without changing their existing technology.

“One of the biggest advantages of Flying Lion’s Remote Staffing Service is that we’re not tied to any specific drone, dock, or software platform,” said Barry Brennan, Founder and President of Flying Lion. “Our team can seamlessly support virtually any combination of hardware and software an agency chooses to deploy. By pairing that flexibility with highly trained remote pilots, we help agencies expand drone operations into true 24/7 DFR and security programs. Whether a flight is automatically triggered or manually requested, our remote pilots can be in the cockpit and providing critical aerial support within minutes.”

The company says the service can provide scheduled or on-demand staffing. It can also support cross-jurisdictional and multi-agency operations.

Flying Lion’s software handles several parts of the flight workflow. These include dispatching flights, tracking call dispositions, and maintaining communications with dispatchers and watch commanders. The system also supports airspace awareness during Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and generates end-of-day reports.

Addressing DFR Staffing Needs

As agencies expand DFR programs, staffing can determine how many hours a system remains available. Flying Lion positions the new service as a way to extend coverage without requiring agencies to build an equally large internal pilot team.

Organizations can use remote staffing to augment their own personnel or fill unexpected gaps. The service can also support new programs as they begin operations or provide fully outsourced remote pilot staffing.

Founded in 2014, Flying Lion provides drone services for law enforcement, public safety agencies, municipalities, and commercial security organizations. The company reports experience supporting more than 120,000 flights. Its services also include FAA regulatory consulting, training, dock installation and maintenance, equipment leasing, and operational program support.

Read more:

• Flying Lion Launches DroneBooth for Rapid Drone Dock Deployment
• Flying Lion Launches 2026 DFR Remote Pilot Training Courses
• Flying Lion Achieves Milestone: Over 50,000 Drone as First Responder Flights Completed