How to Build a Compliant, Scalable Drone Program in 60 Days
Getting started with drones can transform how you monitor sites and catch issues early. In Denver, companies like Black Star Drone Solutions have made “construction drone services in Denver” mainstream – offering FAA‑certified progress reports, thermal roof scans, and workforce training. As one Denver GC put it, their drone crew even “caught a roofing issue we would’ve missed for weeks. Worth every penny. To achieve the same benefits on your projects, you need a step-by-step rollout. This 8-week (60-day) guide shows GCs and PMs how to set goals, certify pilots, pick gear, build safety protocols and data workflows, and scale across teams. Along the way we’ll cite FAA rules and industry best practices to keep your program compliant and consistent.
Week 1: Prep for FAA Part 107 Certification
The first milestone is FAA Remote Pilot (Part 107) certification. Schedule your knowledge exam (UAG test) as soon as you can, then create an FAA IACRA profile to get your Tracking Number (FTN). The FAA mandates that drone pilots be at least 16, fluent in English, and able to pass the test. Build a study plan of 2–4 weeks (online prep courses can help) and take plenty of practice quizzes. The Part 107 exam covers topics like airspace classification, weather, performance, emergency procedures, crew resource management, radio communications, and more. (For example, you’ll be quizzed on FAA regulations, chart reading, and pre-flight checks.) After you pass, log into IACRA to submit FAA Form 8710‑13 and receive your temporary certificate.
Checklist – Exam Prep: Study guides or courses covering all Part 107 topics; set exam date; form a study group or “cohort” to keep each other on track.
FAA Tips: Follow the FAA’s step-by-step process: get an FTN, schedule the test at a Knowledge Testing Center, pass the UAG exam, and complete the IACRA application.
Week 2: Choose Equipment and Register Drones
Once you have one or two pilots ready, pick the right hardware. Match equipment to your mission (e.g. a drone with a high-res RGB camera and RTK GPS for accurate mapping, or a model with a thermal sensor for roof inspections). Plan for at least one main drone plus a backup. Essential gear includes extra batteries (and a charging hub), spare propellers, a rugged case or backpack, a tablet or laptop for flight control, and a toolkit (screwdrivers, gaffer tape, cable ties). Don’t forget safety gear: a high‑vis vest, traffic cones or barriers, and a first-aid kit on site. Label each drone, controller, and battery with an asset ID so you can track usage and maintenance.
Before flying any drone over 0.55 lbs (250 g), register it in FAADroneZone. The registration fee is just $5 per drone (good for 3 years). After registering, print or download the certificate and label your drone with that FAA number before every flight. (It’s federal law to carry the certificate and show it to authorities if asked.) Keep a copy of your FAA Remote Pilot certificate and registration docs in the flight bag too.
Week 3: Set Up Flight Ops and Safety Protocols
With gear ready, establish how you will plan and conduct flights. First, conduct site surveys: inspect the area for obstacles (power lines, trees, buildings) and find safe takeoff/landing zones. Check weather (wind, precipitation, visibility) on the morning of each flight. Decide roles: at least one Remote Pilot in Command (your Part 107 holder) and one Visual Observer (to help scan for hazards and keep eyes on the drone).
Draft a simple pre-flight checklist and emergency plan. For example:
Pre-flight Checklist: Battery charged and installed, compass calibrated, SD card empty/inserted, propellers tight, firmware up‑to‑date, ND filters if needed. Check weather, NOTAMs, and airspace status. Confirm communication plan (radio frequency or cell coverage) if flying near others.
Safety Protocols: Have first-aid kit and fire extinguisher on site. Cordons or warning tape can keep bystanders clear. Fly with a spotter, and brief your ground team on emergency landing spots and lost-drone procedures.
By Week 3 you might conduct your first practice flights (hover, straight-line, gimbal control) in an open space. Log each flight (who, when, duration) in a simple logbook. Review each flight as a team: note any issues (signal drop, poor visibility) and update SOPs accordingly.
Week 4: Develop SOPs and Flight Manuals
Now that you’ve done some flights, write it all down. A Flight Operations Manual (FOM) and supporting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will ensure everyone follows the same safe process. The FOM should cover your organization’s drone program structure: roles, responsibilities, training requirements, and safety culture. It should include sections on maintenance, record-keeping, incident reporting, and how to handle authorizations or waivers. (For example, list who is responsible for renewing the FAA registration or checking battery health.)
FOM Key Elements: Organization chart, pilot training requirements, equipment inventory, flight planning steps (pre‑flight, in-flight, post-flight), safety protocols, emergency procedures, and documentation templates.
Sample SOP Topics: Aerial progress photo capture, thermal roof/insulation scan, 3D mapping flight, pre-construction survey, emergency landing drill, etc. Each SOP should list planning points, flight execution, and data handoff steps.
Week 5: Pilot Training and Practice Flights
Hands-on practice is critical. Have new pilots train under supervision on the actual equipment. Start with simple drills: hover and orientation control at low altitude, then figure-eight and square flight patterns. Practice simulated emergencies (e.g. engine failure) by safely cutting power at altitude (with a spotter ready to catch a “falling” drone on a tether). Make sure everyone practices takeoff/landing from different surfaces and wind conditions.
Training Exercises: Ground school review of the manual; flight simulator practice (if available); live bench tests of camera and gimbal controls; dual-control flights where an instructor can override. Keep training sessions short (20–30 min) and repeat often.
Checkrides: After basic skills are down, run a “checkride” flight: the trainee executes a full mission (e.g. a site survey) from briefing to data upload, while an experienced pilot evaluates. Record these in your logs.
A Denver nonprofit recently partnered with Black Star Drone Solutions to kickstart their drone team. Over an 8-week “FAA cohort” program, Black Star split the team into study groups and held twice‑weekly field workshops. Within 60 days everyone had passed the Part 107 exam and was flying real site inspections – just as promised for rapid, compliant launch.
Week 6: Data Workflows and Reporting
Your pilots are certified and flying; now turn to data. Define how collected imagery and video will be processed and delivered. Decide on software (e.g. DroneDeploy, Pix4D, Propeller) or if you’ll outsource processing. Typical outputs include orthomosaic maps, 3D point clouds, contour models, and annotated images. For example, by stitching aerial photos, drones can generate an accurate 3D site model. Ensure your format works with your project management tools – Black Star, for instance, promises to deliver visuals “formatted for Procore, AutoCAD, GIS” so they drop straight into existing workflows.'
Week 7: Initial Operations and Review
By Week 7, you should be flying real missions on a regular basis (e.g. weekly progress flights or site inspections). Treat these early operations as pilots: fly one project at a time and debrief after each flight. Gather feedback from your field team and the pilots: did the data help catch issues? Were any procedures too cumbersome? Update your checklists and SOPs based on actual experience.
Weekly Review: At the end of each week, hold a short meeting. Compare planned outcomes vs. actual results: Was site coverage complete? Did data reach the team in time? Note any mishaps or near‑misses.
Documentation: Keep refining your FOM/SOP. If a pilot discovers a better route or a quicker setup trick, document it. Over time your manuals will evolve into a robust “drone playbook” that new staff can follow.
Week 8: Scale Up Across Teams and Sites
Now it’s time to expand. Scaling a drone program means adding both hardware and personnel in a controlled way. As DJI notes, “scaling out a drone program means that you’ll need more hardware and more pilots”. Decide which teams or sites are ready for drones next. You may centralize the program (one UAV team flying multiple jobs) or have several trained pilots per project. In practice, many organizations start with an in-house ops team but can also contract third-party pilots.
Conclusion
As your program grows, picture your expanded fleet: perhaps a fleet of Phantom, Mavic, or Matrice drones ready for diverse tasks. Keep the business case clear, Black Star’s experience shows that clients care about efficiency and safety. By following your own roadmap (and drawing on partners when needed), you’ll meet those clients’ expectations without reinventing the wheel each time. If you need technical and professional support along the way, Blackstar is here for you.
