Skytec: Building Trust in Unmanned Aerial Systems

By Leum Monroe, Business Development Manager

The UAS world is a nascent, ever-changing space. In this evolving landscape that is often shrouded by skepticism, pioneering businesses like Skytec must provide consistent, high-quality services to elevate the standing of — and trust in — the entire industry. We relish that task.

There are industries that must rely upon professional services in order to protect the interests of public safety and continue to support the natural and built environment. And if we rely on these services, they must be accurate and repeatable.

Beginning in 2012 the FAA introduced rules by which unmanned systems could be utilized for commercial purposes. As an early adopter of the technology, Skytec has witnessed integration into such vital professions as land surveying and environmental consulting, where the role of unmanned systems has been seen as both disruptive and inspirational. And just as in any business success or failure, the value of these innovations depends upon the integrity and persistence of the companies that operate them. So, if technology breakthroughs in remote sensing are not worthy of trust, then they’re essentially useless.

It is in this context that drone or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) companies must prove their mettle and become trusted resources. Since Skytec was launched five years ago in Chattanooga, Tennessee, we’ve established it as an operation that is worthy of trust, and that is the foundation upon which a host of professional services are beginning to depend upon.

Great Results, Strong Partnerships

Since our inception, Skytec has developed a repeat-business relationship with professional consultancies – both large and small in size. Among them is Earth Resource Systems LLC, a geological services consultancy currently focused on exploration fieldwork on undeveloped tracts throughout the southeastern United States. LiDAR survey data was needed for dense timber tracts in which LiDAR could provide highly accurate topographic maps accurately down to a one-foot contour interval.

Caryl Orr, Certified Professional Geologist, principal and owner at Earth Resource Systems, formerly used LiDAR from vendors who offered conventional airplane surveys. The concern from the client for these services was the lengthy time for data processing once data acquisition was completed. She became acquainted with Skytec’s turn-key LiDAR services by attending various professional conferences and was impressed by their promise of a quicker turn of data processing services from a couple of weeks to a few days.

“As an early adopter, I was willing to pitch Skytec services to our client about UAS LiDAR,” said Orr. “After working closely with Skytec on a couple of occasions, I’ve found them to be true to their commitments and an effective service.”

While Skytec has pre-qualified with dozens of large-business consultancies, it is the smaller, nimbler companies that have been able to act more quickly to take advantage of our expertise. An example in professional land surveying is W&A Engineering.

"Skytec provides accurate topographic data that we use to supplement our land surveys and give the client complete and reliable site information for their project,” said Mark Dunlap, RLS, Partner and Director of Surveying at W&A Engineering. “They are very responsive to all requests, and their personnel are well-trained and professional."

The UAS industry has evolved into a true engineering service, and those companies that are making promises they cannot keep will fade away. During its nascence, when our company was garnering its first clients, Skytec’s commitments to safety, cybersecurity, leading-edge equipment, and accurate data products, has resulted in a robust practice that is turning heads in the UAS industry.

Leum Monroe is Skytec’s Business Development Manager. He is also the Principal of SynchroPath, Inc. – a 20-year consultancy.