UAS SMS Success with SMS Pro: A Case Study

The Challenge: Navigating UAS Safety Management

SkyTech Drones, based in a metropolitan region, operated a fleet of 25 drones for aerial surveying, infrastructure inspection, and small-package delivery. With 50 employees, including 20 remote pilots and 10 technicians, SkyTech conducted over 5,000 missions annually. Despite its innovative operations, SkyTech’s SMS was underdeveloped, struggling to meet FAA Part 107 and emerging UAS safety standards. The following challenges were critical barriers for the safety team:

• Underdeveloped Safety Reporting: SkyTech’s hazard identification process relied on ad-hoc emails and paper logs, resulting in only 3–5 safety reports monthly. Pilots often neglected to report incidents like near-misses with manned aircraft or battery failures, leaving safety risks unaddressed.
• Audit Compliance Struggles: Preparing for FAA audits was a significant burden. The two-person safety team spent weeks compiling operational and safety records, often finding gaps in documentation. A 2023 audit flagged non-conformities in risk assessment processes, risking penalties and client contracts.
• Resource Limitations: With a lean staff, SkyTech struggled to implement proactive risk management. Safety tasks competed with mission planning and drone maintenance, leaving little time for trend analysis or safety training, weakening compliance efforts.
• Fragmented Data Systems: Safety data was scattered across spreadsheets and manual records, hindering effective performance monitoring. This fragmentation obscured trends, such as a 12% increase in airspace incursion risks in 2022, which went unnoticed until a near-collision incident.

These challenges threatened SkyTech’s compliance, safety, and growth in a competitive UAS market. As noted in our blog on general aviation safety practices, UAS operators require scalable systems to manage unique safety demands effectively.

"Our safety processes were minimal and reactive. We needed a system that could keep pace with our growth without overwhelming our team," said Laura Nguyen, SkyTech’s Safety Manager.

The Solution: SMS Pro’s UAS-Tailored Framework

In June 2024, SkyTech partnered with SMS Pro, a cloud-based aviation SMS software designed for UAS operators. SMS Pro’s intuitive interface, affordability, and flexibility addressed SkyTech’s operational and regulatory needs. Implementation unfolded over three months, starting with a gap analysis, followed by staff training, and concluding with a full rollout by September 2024. Below are the key solutions SMS Pro provided:

Streamlined Safety Reporting

SMS Pro’s confidential reporting system transformed SkyTech’s safety reporting process. Remote pilots and technicians could submit reports via mobile devices, even in remote mission locations, with an interface that reduced submission time to under 2 minutes. Anonymous reporting options encouraged participation, particularly among contract pilots. By November 2024, monthly safety reports increased by 70%, from 5 to 8.5 on average, aligning with strategies in our blog on developing hazard reporting systems.

Efficient Audit Compliance

The auditing system automated compliance tasks, offering FAA Part 107-compliant templates. Centralized record-keeping and real-time audit trails eliminated documentation gaps, cutting preparation time by 65%, from three weeks to one week. This efficiency enabled SkyTech to pass its 2024 FAA audit with zero findings, securing its operating certificates and client trust.

Comprehensive Training Programs

SMS Pro’s training system delivered online modules tailored to UAS roles, covering airspace safety, battery management, and risk assessment. Over 95% of SkyTech’s staff completed initial training within four weeks, with automated recurrent training schedules ensuring compliance. This education strengthened the safety culture, as pilots felt empowered to report hazards, a practice reinforced in our blog on building safety training libraries.

Actionable Data Insights

The risk management system provided real-time analytics and customizable dashboards. By aggregating data from safety reports, flight logs, and maintenance records, SMS Pro identified trends, such as recurring battery-related issues, which were reduced by 35% through enhanced maintenance protocols. These insights enabled SkyTech to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and make data-driven decisions, enhancing safety and efficiency.

SMS Pro’s role-based access ensured that safety managers, pilots, and executives had tailored system views, improving usability while maintaining security. The cloud-based platform required no additional IT infrastructure, aligning with SkyTech’s lean operation. The value of such a system for UAS operators is supported by our blog on promoting safety in small aviation operations, applicable to UAS contexts.

"SMS Pro gave us a clear picture of our risks and the tools to mitigate them effectively," Nguyen remarked.

Results: Redefining UAS Safety Standards

By December 2024, six months post-implementation, SMS Pro had delivered transformative outcomes for SkyTech Drones, setting a new benchmark for UAS safety:

• Flawless Audit Performance: SkyTech passed its 2024 FAA Part 107 audit with zero findings, securing its operating certificates and avoiding penalties.
• Faster Incident Resolution: Safety issue resolution time dropped by 50%, from 10 days to 5 days, due to automated workflows and real-time alerts.
• Enhanced Safety Culture: Anonymous reporting and training increased participation, with 80% of pilots and technicians submitting safety reports by Q4 2024, up from 30%.
• Cost Savings: Automation saved 12 administrative hours weekly, equating to $18,000 in annual labor cost reductions, freeing resources for operational growth.
• Business Expansion: SkyTech secured contracts with two new clients for infrastructure inspections, adding $500,000 in annual revenue, as its robust SMS enhanced its market appeal.

These results demonstrate SMS Pro’s ability to deliver measurable value for UAS operators, turning safety challenges into competitive advantages. SkyTech’s success highlights the importance of tailored SMS solutions for emerging aviation sectors.

Key Takeaways for UAS Safety Managers

SkyTech’s transformation offers actionable insights for UAS operators aiming to enhance their SMS programs:

• Simplify Reporting: Mobile-friendly, anonymous reporting systems boost participation, providing critical safety data.
• Automate Compliance: Tools like SMS Pro’s auditing system streamline FAA Part 107 requirements, saving time and ensuring accuracy.
• Prioritize Training: Role-specific training empowers pilots and technicians to engage with the SMS, fostering a proactive safety culture.
• Harness Data: Real-time analytics enable trend identification and risk mitigation, enhancing safety and efficiency.

By adopting these strategies, UAS operators can replicate SkyTech’s success, achieving compliance, safety, and growth. SMS Pro’s affordability and scalability make it an ideal solution for UAS operations, as demonstrated by SkyTech’s journey.