Unlocking Remote Operations: Pasco County Sheriff's Office Milestone

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office in Florida has received #FAA approval for a #Part107 waiver to conduct remote #drone operations without the need for visual observers. This is the first time such a waiver has been granted for public safety, allowing the department to operate drones remotely up to 200 feet AGL or within 50 feet of structures using only ADS-B technology for airspace awareness. This significant achievement enhances the safety and efficiency of public safety operations. Pasco County will initially use this capability for training and emergency response within school properties. The approval paves the way for broader Drone as First Responder (DFR) applications once Skydio’s parachute attachment for the X10 drone becomes available later this year. Skydio has been at the forefront of integrating ADS-B into its Remote Flight Deck, enabling real-time air traffic awareness for drone operators. This milestone for Pasco County signifies a major advancement in public safety drone operations, setting a new standard for other departments nationwide. To learn more about Skydio's regulatory strategy and the future of DFR operations, you can watch a pre-recorded video of a recent webinar held on June 13th. Congratulations to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office for this remarkable achievement: https://airborne.skydio.com/home/videos/summiting-mount-regulation-for-drone-as-first-responder-dfr-programs-2024-06-13