Transitioning from a Level 1 to a Level 2 drone Program (Australia)

First, what is a Level 1 Program?

A Level 1 program represents the infancy stage of drone utilisation within a company. 

Typically (but not always) characterised by a fleet of 1-5 drones, companies at this stage are primarily engaged in experimenting with drone capabilities through Excluded Category (Ex-Cat) flights that are non-critical to core business operations.

Level 1 programs in the early days are usually marked by:

• Operating typically sub-2kg which may or may not be owned by the organisation
• Operating within Standard Operating Conditions
• Capturing data in standard imagery and video formats
• Low to no formal pilot training; and
• Complex missions are typically still outsourced to contractors in order to lower risk and also from a lack of internal capabilities (e.g. >2kg drone flights, night flying, use of complex payloads, EVLOS, BVLOS, etc.).

Processes are often manual, highly inconsistent, and prone to errors such as bad data capture or drone crashes. 

At this level, companies are just beginning to identify operations that have been frequently outsourced and are recognizing the need for a structured approach, though no comprehensive risk management processes (e.g. appointing a chief remote pilot - CRP) have yet been established.

Then what is a Level 2 Program?

Transitioning to a Level 2 drone program signifies a maturing of corporate drone operations. Typically, this level (but not always) includes a team of formally trained pilots and the beginning of formal processes such as obtaining a Remote Operator's Certificate (ReOC) from CASA. 

The executive team's involvement increases, signifying the importance of drone operations, often spurred on by the value of drone data collection capabilities across functions.  

Two (2) major indicators of transitioning to a Level 2 Program are:

1. Company wishes to conduct more complex flights and is seeking knowledge on the regulatory and operational requirements
2. Company is now starting to extend drone usage across functions/teams within the organisation (e.g. from only inspection team, to now engineering & operations). 

As the number of operations increase, challenges such as a lack of structured mission planning, fleet management and compliance management begin to emerge.

This phase represents a move towards embedding drone operations into the company’s strategic operations, making it crucial for enhancing overall efficiency and scope.

Why bother scaling from level 1 to 2?

Scaling to a Level 2 program provides numerous advantages not available at Level 1. 

Firstly, it formalises drone operations through structured training and certification, significantly reducing operational risks and enhancing safety. 

Many authorities are now recommending that it should be a standard best practice for any commercial pilot program (i.e. non-recreational) to be treated as a ReOC operation (including Ex-CAT, <2kg) in order to:

• Increase safety precautions/mitigation
• Reduce insurance and liability costs
• Ultimately, it will give authorities stronger evidence that safe and low risk practices are being followed - a safeguard against potential audit repercussions. 

Secondly, obtaining a ReOC legitimises the company’s drone activities, allowing for more complex operations across their organisation, completed at a faster and cost-effective frequency (providing a strong competitive advantage). 

Thirdly, the involvement of the executive team ensures that drone operations are aligned with broader corporate goals and can attract additional investments.

4. Where do we need to make this change?

Transitioning from a Level 1 to a Level 2 drone program requires 5 major changes across key areas:

Operational Structure

Implementation of Defined Roles and Oversight: Transitioning to clearly defined roles for all team members, including a Drone Program Manger (DPM). The DPM has overall responsibility on the program including identifying a suitable Chief Remote Pilot (CRP) who will oversee operations and ensure compliance.

Training and Certification

Formal Training Programs: A training curriculum, ideally covering both theory and practical skills. At a minimum, pilots should undergo RePL training. It is also advised to start building an internal training/competency process that makes sense for your operations. 

Process Formalisation

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Creating SOPs for core stages of drone operations namely — pre-flight checks and post-flight analysis—ensures consistency and reliability in mission execution. If now drone management platform exists yet, it is imperative to implement one to create structure and visibility across this for CASA (reach out to see how FlyFreely can help with this). 

Technology and Equipment

Upgrading Drone Fleet: To support more complex missions, upgrading to advanced drones with enhanced sensors and reliable hardware is necessary. Regular maintenance schedules must also be established to keep the drone fleet in optimal operational condition (reach out to see how FlyFreely can help with this).

Data Management

Enhanced Data Analysis Tools: Investing in data analytics tools is crucial for converting raw data into actionable insights. This can range from photogrammetry software to generate 3D topographic models or digital twins. It can also include the use of software to manage the storage, viewing and reporting.

Key risks & their mitigations

Key risks in scaling drone operations typically come in the form of gaps that arise in regulatory non-compliance, operational disruptions, and higher upfront costs. To mitigate these risks, companies should:

• Engage with CASA and other regulatory bodies early in the process to ensure compliance with all legal requirements. This can include pre-audits done by companies such as UAV Group (click here for more info). 
• Allocate adequate resources, including time and money, to develop the necessary infrastructure and training programs (business case sign off from executive team).
• Implement rigorous safety and operational risk assessments to minimise the potential for accidents and disruptions (reach out to see how we can help). 

What will all this enable my company to do?

A well-established Level 2 drone program enables a company to undertake more complex, higher-value drone operations which can significantly enhance company capabilities across various domains such as:

• Inspection
• Survey / Mapping

To sustain and grow a Level 2 program, companies should focus on continuous improvement through regular training updates, technology upgrades, and process refinements.

Creating and scaling a comprehensive internal company drone program is becoming more and more of an essential capability for many large complex asset owners. As the demand for faster and more complex aerial data grows, the need for this capability internally becomes critical for 2024 and beyond. 

If you are looking to start or scale your company drone program - reach out to us today for a strategy session and see how FlyFreely can help you scale with ease.