Skytec Upholds ARGUS Platinum Safety Rating

In the manned aviation industries, safety regulations guide companies to best practices for operations. As the unmanned aviation industry grows from its nascent beginnings, Skytec is committed to bringing an equivalent level of safety and best practices to the world of UAS.

In early 2018, Skytec leaders sought out an accredited third-party safety organization to audit and regulate its safety practices. Led by 25-year manned aviation veteran Eric Gibson, Skytec’s Safety Director, the company completed an ARGUS Safety Audit and in 2018 was the first Drone as a Service provider to achieve platinum-level rating, the highest level possible.

The company celebrated its platinum rating in 2019 and recently completed the extensive audit again in 2021.

“From our early beginnings at Skytec, safety in unmanned aviation has always been a core part of our foundation,” Gibson says. “By working with a reputable organization like ARGUS, we’ve been able not only to certify our safety standards, but also to collaborate to define a structure and benchmark for safety in the unmanned industry. ARGUS has the experience and knowledge of safety programs and operations from the manned industry ready to adopt in the UAS world.”

Building a Culture of Safety

Since the company’s inception, Skytec leaders sought a strong culture of safety, adhering to the highest possible safety protocols and ensuring company and client success.

“As a company, our highest priority is safe operation,” says Bill Rogers, Skytec CEO. “We strive for each team member to best represent our safe practices in all that we do, in the office and on a job site. We aim to demonstrate to clients and the greater UAS industry our application of these rigorous standards that ensure our staff are safe and flights are seamless.”

The ARGUS audit provides an in-depth analysis of the company’s safe operations and highlights Skytec’s commitment to safety, including a functioning safety management system and emergency response plan, a historical safety analysis, and an on-site audit with zero findings.

As Safety Director, Gibson has built a culture of safety at the company, including managing the company Safety Program. He developed three initiatives that distinguish Skytec in the industry—the Skytec Safety Management System, Skytec Flight Operations Manual, and Skytec Pilot Training Program.

“Building a culture of safety starts with our staff and gaining buy-in,” Gibson says. “Each of our team members takes part in building a safety program. They are invested in our team and doing things the right way. Together, and through our protocols, we identify and manage risks before they happen to move from a reactive to a proactive, and even predictive, state.”

Through continued collaboration with ARGUS, the Skytec team continues to innovate in the UAS industry, and Gibson’s role as Safety Director is a testament to the company’s focused goals.

“Eric Gibson brings incredible training and experience to our team, and he views every action through the lens of safety,” Rogers says. “It’s not just what’s happening in the field—with Gibson’s direction, we’re evaluating the planning stages and every step of a flight process. We’re constantly evaluating ways to improve our safety and stay proactive.”

Read more about Skytec’s commitment to safety.