AirData tracks 65M drone flights
AirData's drone fleet management platform has logged over 65 million flights globally. The milestone coincides with the FAA's final review of the Part 108 rule for routine BVLOS operations.
AirData has tracked more than 65 million drone flights worldwide. The California-based company's milestone comes as the Federal Aviation Administration's Part 108 rule, which would allow routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, is in its final stage of federal review.
AirData's platform covers over 850,000 drones and 470,000 pilots. The company reached 50 million flights in May 2025, meaning it has added 15 million flights in just 15 months. This represents a rate of roughly one million flights every month.
Platform Capabilities and Industry Shift
AirData founder and CEO Eran Steiner says the massive flight database enables insights individual operators could not generate. With millions of flights for comparison, the platform can detect subtle issues like a single battery aging differently from dozens of identical ones under similar conditions. This can help spot maintenance problems early.
The platform's scale is notable because it is not limited to one manufacturer. AirData supports more than 180 drone models and 60 flight applications. It analyzes every battery cell after each flight and recognizes over 880 pilot certificate types worldwide for certification tracking.
This growth suggests commercial drone use is moving beyond trial programs. More companies are integrating drones into everyday operations. The upcoming Part 108 rule is designed to support this shift.
Regulatory Alignment and Operational Impact
Part 108 would make the operating organization, not just the individual remote pilot, accountable. Organizations would need to ensure aircraft airworthiness, proper personnel training, and adherence to approved procedures. They would also need to maintain detailed records covering flight operations, maintenance, pilot qualifications, and incident reporting.
These requirements align closely with data AirData already collects. Its platform tracks flight logs, maintenance records, pilot certifications, battery health, and compliance information across mixed fleets.
One real-world example is Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). The utility conducts BVLOS inspections across its 70,000-square-mile California service area under an FAA waiver. PG&E uses AirData to automate documentation for flights, maintenance, and personnel. This is the type of operational recordkeeping that could become standard under Part 108.
With the FAA's BVLOS framework nearing reality, AirData's milestone shows how rapidly the commercial drone industry has grown. Companies are already preparing for large-scale operations. For those tracking industry growth, our stats page offers relevant data, while regulatory developments can affect operational fixtures.
