Skyward (Verizon) deploys remote network-connected drone during Big Hollow Wildfire

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Skyward, A Verizon company, a temporary waiver that allows company pilots to fly the Percepto Sparrow drone from their homes to inspect critical communications infrastructure near the Big Hollow in . The waiver permits operations 24 hours a day, with less than 3 miles of visibility, and no pilot or observer on site.

Verizon deploys remote network-connected drone during Big Hollow Wildfire

With multiple natural disasters occurring throughout the , the ability to safely inspect sites that support critical communications for first responders has never been more important or necessary.

โ€œAt a moment when we are facing dangerous consequences of climate change and coping with a global pandemic, maintaining the Verizon Network has never been more important,โ€ said Rima Qureshi, Chief Strategy Officer, Verizon. “Innovations in airborne technology have enhanced our ability to inspect our sites without putting engineers in harm’s way, and provide our first responders with reliable communications. We appreciate the ‘s swift action in granting the waiver, which allows us to deploy a network-connected drone and provide critical services, safely and effectively.”

Although the FAA can grant โ€œbeyond visual line of sight,โ€ or BVLOS, waivers to businesses that prove they can fly safely, an onsite pilot or visual observer has still been generally required. In preparation for crises such as this, Skyward spent nearly a year testing and proving it could safely fly without onsite personnel. In addition to the groundbreaking nature of the flight, the waiver itself is a milestone for remote deployment of drones in the U.S.

โ€œWe’ve built a BVLOS capability consisting of a remotely deployable drone system, weather monitoring systems like those used at airports, Skyward’s Aviation Management Platform, and state-of-the-art airborne safety systems that allow us to check the surrounding airspace for other aircraft,โ€ said Skyward’s Director of Aviation Development Centers whose name is X. โ€œVerizon’s 4G LTE network connected these systems, giving the team’s operations lead in a near real-time picture of the operation from 1,600 miles away.โ€

Verizon Deploys Remote Network-Connected Drone During Big Hollow Wildfire

Fully remote operations over video conference. Percepto drone system screen (left), camera from Fortem SkyDome showing drone taking off (top middle), and Skyward aviation management platform (bottom middle). Skyward flight operations team (right) from top to bottom: Dave Newell, Operations Manager (observing from Alaska, 1600 miles from site); X, Director of Aviation Development Centers (25 miles from site), Jake Weber, Remote Pilot in Command and Skyward Co-Founder (23 miles from site); and, Dustin Schocken, Remote Navigator (18 miles from site).

The waiver was granted through the FAA’s expedited Special Governmental Interest process. The waiver applies to drone support operations for critical infrastructure that maintain communications for emergency responders and extends until Friday, Sept. 25.

Since September 9, the Big Hollow Fire has burned more than 24,000 acres and caused mandatory evacuation orders in the area. The location of the critical communications infrastructure itself is within blocks of a Level 1 evacuation order and the air quality was unsafe for humans. This operation not only allowed Verizon engineers to confirm the integrity and operability of its infrastructure was not impacted, it also allowed them to do so without putting people in harm’s way.

Skyward (Verizon) Deploys Remote Network-Connected Drone During Big Hollow Wildfire 1

Verizon continues to closely monitor dozens of wildfires burning in the western US and our network is currently performing well with no significant impacts to date.

Our Verizon Response Team (VRT) is available 24/7 to provide on-demand, emergency assistance to first responders. We are mobilizing charging stations, WiFi hotspots, devices, special equipment, emergency vehicles and more to support local, state and federal agencies in Arizona, , , Idaho, , Nevada, Oregon, , Washington and .

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Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is a leading drone industry expert and Editor in Chief of DroneXL.co and EVXL.co, where he covers drone technology, industry developments, and electric mobility trends. With over nine years of specialized coverage in unmanned aerial systems, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and cited by The Brookings Institute, Foreign Policy, Politico and others.

Before founding DroneXL.co, Kesteloo built his expertise at DroneDJ. He currently co-hosts the PiXL Drone Show on YouTube and podcast platforms, sharing industry insights with a global audience. His reporting has influenced policy discussions and been referenced in federal documents, establishing him as an authoritative voice in drone technology and regulation. He can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

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