In today’s dynamic drone landscape, establishing a sustainable drone program requires more than just acquiring the latest technology—it demands aviation insurance, continuous crew training, RPAS system maintenance and fleet management solutions. In this installment of our series, we dive into best practices for insurance and program management.
Insurance
Although Transport Canada does not require RPAS pilots to have an insurance policy, it is recommended. What if you already have a commercial general liability(CGL) policy? You should check your policy to see if it covers aviation activities. Most CGL policies do not cover aviation related activities, making it necessary for operators to obtain an aviation specific policy. Most organizations require proof of aviation liability insurance to access job sites and safeguard against potential damages or accidents. In Canada, drone-specific policies go beyond general liability to include hull coverage, protecting your equipment from unforeseen mishaps.
Effective program management is crucial to ensuring that your drone operations run smoothly and safely. Implement comprehensive pre-flight inspections using detailed checklists to ensure every drone is mission-ready. Adhere to manufacturer-approved maintenance routines to maintain optimal performance, and rely on a team of professionally trained operators who can anticipate and mitigate potential risks. By proactively addressing these aspects, you minimize costly downtime and maintain consistent, safe operations.
Continuous Review and Training
A sustainable drone program is built on the commitment to ongoing training and adaptation. With evolving regulations and the continuous emergence of new features and best practices, it’s essential to keep your team updated. Here are some practical tips:
- Checklist Practice: Regularly rehearse pre-flight inspection checklists to instill discipline and ensure no step is overlooked.
- Hands-On Flying Skills: Schedule frequent, hands-on training sessions that focus on piloting techniques under various conditions.
- Multi-Crew Coordination: Develop scenarios that emphasize communication and coordination among crew members, ensuring a smooth, collaborative operation during complex missions.
- Regulatory Updates: Stay abreast of Transport Canada’s regulatory changes to ensure that your procedures and training programs meet current safety and compliance standards.
- Firmware Updates: Not only should you be keeping up to date with manufacturer firmware updates on your drone but also ensuring you are familiar with the interface updates.
- Battery Care: It is recommended that you cycle through your batteries once every 30 days and also ensure they are stored in a climate controlled environment (check your manufactures manual for more info).
Investing in continuous training not only enhances operational efficiency but also builds a team that’s prepared for both current challenges and future innovations.
Enhancing Fleet Management with RPAS Wilco
Advanced software solutions are a game-changer in modern drone operations. RPAS Wilco is a recommended product that stands out as an essential tool. By streamlining fleet management and ensuring your program remains compliant and efficient. Here’s how RPAS Wilco can elevate your operations:
- Fleet Management: Gain real-time visibility into your entire drone fleet. Track maintenance schedules, monitor flight hours (pilots and RPAS), and manage assignments—all from one centralized platform. Check out the specific job site feature to track flight hours on specific jobs!
- Electronic Log Books: Simplify record keeping with digital log books that automatically document flight data, pilot logs and maintenance records, easing the burden of regulatory compliance.
- Compliance: Stay on top of regulations with electronic time stamped checklists ensuring that your operations always meet the latest industry standards. With an enterprise account, program manager to oversee all pilots and RPAS activities.
- Site Surveys: Ensure your operations are following Transport Canada regulations. RPAS Wilco enables operators to generate automated Canadian Aviation Regulations 901.27 compliant site surveys with authorized NAV Canada Data. Using a different platform? Use the following link to ensure they are approved by NAV Canada to distribute their data.
Maintenance
Did you know that just like a car, drones have preventative maintenance programs? Professional drones require regular maintenance and servicing to maximise their safety and effectiveness.
Just like any machine with moving parts and electronics, drones experience wear and tear with regular use. Instead of waiting for a part to fail, get ahead of it by following the manufacturers recommendations.
Let’s start with the basics of what you can do yourself. During flight, your drone picks up dust, dirt, insects, and other debris, so keeping the airframe clean is key to maintaining its performance. Remember, you're handling a expensive electronic, so exercise caution when cleaning the unit. Even the tiniest crack can cause flight issues. Use an anti-static cloth, compressed air, and a soft brush to keep your drone looking and performing like new. Regularly inspect all components—check that screws and fasteners are secure without being over-tightened, as too much force can cause undue stress.
Routine checks help ensure everything is held together properly. Propellers require regular inspection too. Damage or wear can lead to serious issues once in flight. Replace them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and ensure they spin freely. If they don’t rotate smoothly, you may need to remove them to identify the problem. Lastly, always check that your firmware and software are updated to the latest versions. Although many drones have automatic update features, it’s worth confirming that updates are running as they should.
For all DJI Enterprise drones, it is also recommended that once a year, you have your unit serviced by an approved DJI service tech. These services are split into basic, regular and deep maintenance cycles. DJI recommends following a 12 month or 200 hours cycle (whichever comes first). This service usually takes 2 weeks to complete and we recommend operators plan for these services to be completed in the non-flying season(winter).
Conclusion
A sustainable drone program hinges on a balanced approach: robust insurance and proactive program management, continuous training with a focus on practical skills and team coordination, and the integration of advanced fleet management solutions like RPAS Wilco. By adopting these strategies, you can ensure that your operations are not only safe and compliant today but are also well-prepared for the innovations and challenges of tomorrow.
Explore more insights and discover how Altohelix can help you take your drone program to new heights. For further details on our series, visit our blog series archive.