Building and Scaling Interoperable, Proficient, Pilot Networks€¦ · 1. A safe flight with bad data IS A COSTLY FAILURE. 2. Many drone pilots ARE NOT PREPARED FOR THE JOB. 3. Failure

© 2019 AEROVISTA INNOVATIONS, LLC

Building and Scaling

Interoperable, Proficient, Pilot Networks

Brendan Stewart

President, Chief Pilot

AeroVista Drone Academy

[email protected]


The 3 Laws of a Successful Drone Program:

#1 A streamlined program makes your job EASIER not HARDER!



#2 Your drone program should LOWER RISK not CREATE RISK.



#3 Your drone program should create a SOLID ROI.


HARD LESSONS:

1. A safe flight with bad data IS A COSTLY FAILURE.

2. Many drone pilots ARE NOT PREPARED FOR THE JOB.

3. Failure is not an option - YOU WON’T GET A SECOND CHANCE.

4. Without interoperability YOUR PROGRAM WON’T SCALE.

5. Without a well-trained pilot network YOU’LL LOSE TO COMPETITORS


CASE STUDY: Warped Point Cloud

• Expert pilot cross country flown to unfamiliar site.

• Pilot not trained in data process.

• Pilot flies in early AM to avoid storms.

• Long shadows warp output.

Result: Cost and turnaround time DOUBLE!


WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE?

Make sure Pilots understand how good data is captured, processed, &

analyzed.

• Train Pilots to understand application of data.

• Create “hard” data capture SOPs to limit discretion.

• Implement on-site rapid check procedures.


ACCIDENT STUDY: CFIT into Power Lines

• 500+ hour multirotor pilot contracted for photogrammetry along a river

bordered by high tension lines.

• The client requests the flight crew use unfamiliar flight automation

software.

• Pilot inadvertently establishes waypoint below MOCA while flying.

• Aircraft immediately diverts directly into power lines.

Result: Total Aircraft Loss- Cost and Time Double– Client Loses Confidence


WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE:

DO NOT BE A TEST PILOT.

• Mandate proven technology & practices.

• Eliminate new & novel operational risks.

• Communicate limitations clearly to customers.


WHAT TO DO TO SUCCEED?

1. PLAN: Goals, budget, risk tolerance.

2. PREPARE: Develop infrastructure (SOPs, SMS, train pilots, QC.)

3. EXECUTE & VALIDATE: Track performance, accuracy, cost, & risk.

4. REFINE: Identify areas & plans to improve.

5. ITERATE, SCALE, & REPEAT: Implement improvements & scale.


STEP 1: PLAN

• What is your target market?

• What services are you providing?

• Are you providing internal or external services?

• How much risk do you need to mitigate?

• What is your cost justification?

• Identify your program coordinator?

Important Considerations:

• Contractors vs. Employees

• “Pilot of all trades” vs Specialist

• Low risk vs. high risk


SPOTLIGHT: Drone Program Coordinator Profile

Who?

• Single POC for all drone initiatives.

• Creates & enforces policy.

• Liaison between leadership, FAA, and pilots.

Qualifications

• Qualified Pilot (107, 61 preferable).

• Program leadership/management experience.

• Technical “evangelist” persona.


PAIN POINT: Contractor (1099) Vs. Employee (W2)

What’s the Difference?

• “Management and Direction”

• “Standard Operating Procedure” vs. “Voluntary Best Practices”

What are the risks?

Should safety practices ever be voluntary?


PAIN POINT: Real Risks vs. Perceived Risks

Perceived Risks:

• FAA Enforcement

• Class Action Lawsuit (1099 vs. W2)

• IRS Action

Real Risks

• Insurance claim denial

• Negligence claim (“voluntary” safety)

• Professional liability

• REPUTATION & OPPORTUNITY


STEP 2: PREPARE

Build the infrastructure of a successful pilot network:

• Client Intake Procedure

• Equipment Standardization

• Training of Crewmembers

• Data/Logistics Management

• Creation of Validation Tools

• Safety Management System

• Waivers and Authorizations


SPOTLIGHT: Safety Management System

What is it?

• Organization wide.

• Risk and quality control methodology.

• Strong quality optimizer.

You do some of this already!

• Train Pilots.

• Company SOPs.

• Company Reporting/Oversight.


SPOTLIGHT: Training as a Value-Proposition

Train all pilots to the same standard or create certification levels.

Why?

• Risk averse clients demand it.

• Lowers risk and improves outcome.

• Improves service capabilities.

Pilot Networks will compete on training for enterprise accounts!


SPOTLIGHT: Recurrent Training

Develop and maintain expertise throughout your organization.

Why?

• Improves client confidence.

• Decreases probability of error.

• Fosters pilot engagement .

• Lowers liability.

How?

• Make time for recurrent training.

• Mandate proficiency minimums (5hrs PIC / qtr.).

• Train with a purpose.

• Make it fun!


CASE STUDY: Enterprise Overflight of People

What: Enterprise services network receiving 107.39 waiver with an airframe

parachute.

How: Convince the FAA & client.

• Crewmember prerequisites.

• Online training and knowledge test.

• Practical “checkride” proves skills.

Result:

Unique opportunity to deliver what no other competitor can deliver.


STEP 3: Execute & Validate

Fly missions and track your team’s performance.

How:

• Checklists and reporting tools.

• Automated logging.

• Turnaround time.

• Training performance.

Result:

Actionable data on your operations


STEP 4: Refine

Continually Identify program improvements.

Determine:

• Where are problems occurring?

• What is causing them? (Hardware, software, human)

• What should be done?

Result:

Tangible plans to improve performance.


SPOTLIGHT: Debriefing

Credit successes, identify weak points, address efficacy of procedures.

Why?

• The science shows it works!

• Identifies deficiencies in program. (SOPs, Training, Coordination)

• Promotes objective-oriented culture.

• Identifies areas that tests can’t.

How?

• Always be learning.

• Informal vs. Forma.

• ZERO EGO.

• Identify takeaways.

• Implement & commit to improvements.


CASE STUDY: Public Safety Mutual Aid Network

What:

• Statewide network of public safety drone teams.

• Provide drone response capabilities statewide.

• Lives depend on performance. NO ROOM FOR ERROR.

How:

• Highly detailed SOPs for missions.

• Interoperable and recurrent crew training.

• Robust program tracking, accountability, continual improvement.

Result:

Highly capable program operating effectively at scale statewide.


STEP 5: Iterate, Scale, Repeat

Implement improvements and scale.

Why:

Promote reliable and effective performance of your drone team, organization wide.

How:

• Determine scalable improvement methods,

• Implement performance improvement plans,

• Make a correction and wait for result.

• Continually iterate and evolve,

Result:

Consistent customer experience, fewer errors and re-shoots.


Key Takeaways

If you remember nothing else…

✓ Determine metrics for success before your program launches.

✓ Build the foundation at the front end.

✓ Develop a robust validation framework.

✓ Focus on consistent iterative improvements.

✓ Don’t be afraid to make adjustments as market forces change.

QUESTIONS?

BRENDAN STEWARTPRESIDENT

AEROVISTA DRONE ACADEMY

[email protected]


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Building and Scaling Interoperable, Proficient, Pilot Networks€¦ · 1. A safe flight with bad data IS A COSTLY FAILURE. 2. Many drone pilots ARE NOT PREPARED FOR THE JOB. 3. Failure