SkySkopes Passes Safety Audit Conducted By Texas Organizations
Brandi Jewett
BRYAN, Texas — Pilots with SkySkopes, a national leader in drone flight services, earned the company a passing grade in a recent safety credentialing audit.
SkySkopes is one of the first small unmanned aircraft systems companies in the nation to pass the audit, which was created through a collaboration by Lone Star UAS Center of Excellence and Innovation and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. The National Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Credentialing Program is the product of the partnership.
“This credentialing program promotes safe and legal commercial UAS operations, and provides third party vetting of operators and vendors, including a live-flight operational audit,” said Steven Williams, director of operations for the National sUAS Credentialing Program. “SkySkopes has joined a select group of companies that have voluntarily completed an audit of their operational and safety policies, procedures and qualifications to operate Section 333 exempted or Part 107 small UAS.”
The organizations launched the program this past March, with the purpose of allowing companies to become certified in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations covering commercial drone operations and demonstrate the safe flight of such aircraft.
SkySkopes’ sUAS service provider audit, the sixth conducted by the program, was completed on Oct. 28 at Texas A&M University’s RELLIS campus. The company professionally, safely and successfully passed the basic audit.
“SkySkopes is extremely pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Texas A&M and the Lone Star Test Site to complete this UAS safety audit,” SkySkopes President and CEO Matt Dunlevy said. “Outside of the FAA’s own safety management system program, this safety test appealed to SkySkopes as one of the most professional in the country. We received top marks and are looking forward to working with the Lone Star Test Site UAS professionals again in the future. The successful completion of this round of professional safety qualifications is another demonstration of the safety culture our brand represents.”
The audit included an extensive document review, oral examination and a live-flight audit including full launch and recovery of a drone. Pilots also received feedback on operational and safety procedure enhancements.
