In the rapidly evolving landscape of aerial technology, drones have surged to the forefront as indispensable tools for public safety operations. As a pilot myself, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power these devices wield, especially when deployed under the guidance of a robust and responsive management system. Aloft, the leading airspace and fleet management platform and an FAA-approved UAS Service Supplier (USS) for LAANC, stands at the pinnacle of this technological revolution.
Our commitment to serving the breadth of public safety—including local, state, and federal agencies, from police and fire departments to emergency response teams—is unwavering.
Over and over again, we hear from our public safety customers that we should be more vocal about all that Aloft does to serve public safety. In this blog post, I aim to share how Aloft tailors its services to meet the diverse needs of these critical operations, ensuring that every mission is as efficient, safe, and effective as possible.
Drone Agnostic Approach: Serving All of Public Safety
One of Aloft’s foundational principles is our drone-agnostic approach. We understand that public safety operations require a wide array of drone capabilities, from the ubiquitous DJI models to the advanced Blue UAS options like Skydio. Our platform is meticulously designed to integrate seamlessly with this diverse hardware ecosystem. Specifically, our automated logging integration with Skydio highlights our commitment to ease of use and efficiency, ensuring that flight data is accurately captured and available for review without burdening the pilot with additional tasks during critical missions.
Encrypted Live Streaming: Elevating Mission-Critical Collaboration
In the throes of a public safety operation, real-time information is not just valuable—it’s vital. Aloft’s encrypted live streaming is a game-changer, offering audio and video streaming capabilities. This ensures that decision-makers and on-ground teams have access to live footage, providing them with the situational awareness needed to make informed decisions quickly. The ability to share links in real-time further enhances this capability, allowing for swift dissemination of crucial information among team members, no matter where they are located. Over the last year alone, Aloft has powered over 1,500 hours of live footage, a testament to our system’s reliability and the trust placed in us by public safety agencies across the country.
Managing Local Airspace & Takeoff/Landing Regulations
Whether dealing with temporal events such as large public gatherings, natural disasters, or implementing permanent takeoff and landing restrictions, Aloft Geo provides public safety agencies with a robust platform to manage the safety and compliance of their jurisdictions. The ability to publish advisories directly into the Aloft UTM network means that these critical pieces of information are instantly accessible to drone pilots operating within the affected areas. This real-time communication is vital for maintaining operational safety and ensuring all aerial activities are conducted within your jurisdiction’s legal and safety parameters.
A Pilot’s Perspective: Authority and Focus on Serving Public Safety
Pilots are pivotal in successfully deploying drone technology in public safety operations. The authority to operate these devices comes with a profound responsibility—to ensure the safety of our teams and the communities we serve. Aloft empowers pilots with a comprehensive suite of tools and features designed to maximize operational effectiveness while adhering to the highest safety and compliance standards.
Our platform’s intuitive design and robust support system mean that whether you’re conducting a search and rescue mission, surveilling a wildfire, or providing aerial support during a critical incident, you have a reliable partner in Aloft. Our commitment to serving public safety is relentless, and we continuously strive to enhance our platform to meet the evolving needs of our heroes on the front lines.
We Have A Lot More Coming
The landscape of public safety is inherently dynamic, requiring tools and technologies that can adapt and respond to a myriad of challenges. Aloft’s drone-agnostic approach and encrypted live-streaming capabilities position us as a leading force in airspace and fleet management for public safety operations. With airspace and UTM at the core of Aloft, we also have a bunch of new capabilities soon to be announced that will directly serve public safety and their ability to access the air even more quickly and effectively.
As pilots and as a community dedicated to serving those who protect and serve, we recognize the immense potential of drone technology in enhancing public safety efforts. Together, with Aloft, we are set to soar to new heights, ensuring a safer tomorrow for all. Aloft is not just about managing drones; it’s about empowering heroes.
Jon Hegranes - Aloft CEO
Jon is the Founder & CEO of Aloft, the market leader in drone airspace systems & UTM technologies. Aloft’s patented technology is used in today’s leading recreational, enterprise, and government drone applications.
Jon is a certified commercial drone pilot as part of FAA Part 107, the founder of the Drone Advisory Council, and is an active member of other industry groups, including GUTMA, NBAA Emerging Tech, the FAA’s Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee (AAAC) and working groups, and is a founding member and data working group chair of the FAA Drone Safety Team. He’s a self-taught iOS developer, writes about drone topics for technology news outlets including VentureBeat, TechCrunch, and Forbes, and regularly speaks at industry events such as Commercial UAV Expo, 2B Ahead Future Congress, and DJI AirWorks. Jon graduated from TCU with a major in finance and received his MBA from Thunderbird Global School of Management (ASU). Jon has served on multiple FAA Advisory and Rulemaking Committees (ARCs), including drone detection, counter UAS, and Beyond Visual Line of Site (BVLOS).
