Flying Lion Launches 24/7 Remote Pilot

Flying Lion has launched a Remote Staffing Service to provide on-demand remote pilots for public safety and security drone operations. The service is designed to help agencies run Drone as First Responder programs around the clock without hiring large in-house pilot teams.

The launch addresses a core staffing challenge for DFR programs, which dispatch drones immediately after incidents like 911 calls. Operating these programs continuously requires qualified pilots available at all hours, a growing hurdle for many organizations.

How the remote pilot service works

The new offering combines Flying Lion's pilot management software with a network of trained remote pilots. These pilots can take control of drone missions as requests come in. They can work alongside personnel in an agency's own Real-Time Crime Center or Security Operations Center. Alternatively, support can be provided remotely through Flying Lion's operations center.

Agencies requiring law enforcement experience can request current or recently retired sworn officers to serve as the remote pilots. Founder Barry Brennan stated the team can support virtually any combination of hardware and software an agency deploys.

Platform-agnostic flexibility

Flying Lion says the service is not tied to a specific drone manufacturer, dock, or flight software. This platform-agnostic approach is intended to make integration easier for agencies with existing fleets. They would not need to replace hardware or change software ecosystems.

"Our team can seamlessly support virtually any combination of hardware and software an agency chooses to deploy," says Brennan. He adds that experienced pilots and flexible technology can help organizations expand into true 24/7 operations. This flexibility is crucial for agencies managing complex fixtures in their operational schedules.

Mission management and reporting

The company uses a custom-built application suite to manage the entire lifecycle of an on-demand drone mission. This software handles dispatching flights and tracking incident outcomes, similar to how a team might track performance stats. It maintains communication with dispatchers and watch commanders.

The system also monitors airspace awareness during beyond visual line of sight operations. It automatically generates end-of-day reports. Pilots can take control of missions within minutes of an automated or manual flight request, ensuring rapid response times that are critical for public safety standings.

Target market and company background

The service targets police departments, municipalities, public safety agencies, and commercial security operators. It is aimed at those looking to expand or maintain DFR operations while facing staffing shortages or seeking to reduce operational costs. Organizations can scale pilot staffing based on demand instead of maintaining a large certified in-house team.

Founded in 2014, Flying Lion claims to have supported over 120,000 drone flights across law enforcement, public safety, municipal, and commercial security operations. The company positions itself as one of North America's more experienced providers of DFR-related drone services.

As agencies prepare for wider BVLOS operations, services addressing the pilots behind the controls could become as important as the drones themselves.