Drone Software Platform
From Operations Management to Data Processing
Skyward Drone Software
Plan. Fly. Process.
Drone fleet managers rely on Skyward’s airspace map, risk management tools, and flight insights for operational oversight of their drone programs. Pilots in the field use InFlight, Skyward’s mobile app & ground control station, as part of seamless experience from the office to the job site. And program managers back at the office can process the drone data collected to produce 2D maps and 3D models right from the Skyward platform.
Plan with Skyward’s drone airspace map and fleet management tools
Skyward’s drone airspace map offers easy-to-understand airspace intelligence and key ground data. Plan flights, assign crews, and request near-instant access to fly in controlled airspace with LAANC. Use risk assessment tools and checklists to standardize procedures, streamline efficiency, and minimize risks.
Fly with automated flight modes in Skyward’s InFlight mobile app
InFlight, Skyward’s mobile app, brings the power of Skyward's airspace intelligence, flight planning, and risk assessment tools into the field. InFlight offers a ground control station (GCS) and automated flight modes for compatible drones. And live flight tracking enables managers to monitor flights as they happen.
Process with Skyward Mapping & Modeling, powered by Pix4D
Turn drone data into 2D maps and 3D models from Skyward’s web app. Skyward Mapping & Modeling is powered by Pix4D, the market leader in photogrammetry software technology. Analyze your data and produce business-ready deliverables without leaving Skyward – no need to juggle multiple platforms.
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See Skyward in Action
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The Skyward Drone Management Workflow
Check Airspace & Plan Your Flights
Use Skyward’s web or mobile apps to check for controlled or restricted airspace and other advisories. Draw a precise area of operation, mark hazards, and view 3D ground structures.
Request LAANC Access to Controlled Airspace
In controlled airspace with LAANC enabled, request access and receive a response in seconds. Or request further coordination in advance to operate above LAANC altitude limits.
Assign Teams & Request Approval
Assign crew, aircraft, and equipment to an operation. Request a review of your operation from stakeholders and check your approval status.
Assess Risk & Use Pre-Flight Checklists
Complete your risk assessment and receive an automated risk score. Run through your pre-flight checklists to make sure you’re all set to fly.
Fly Manual & Automated Drone Flights
Use InFlight, Skyward’s mobile app, to fly your mission and automatically log your flight to Skyward. Fly survey, orbit, and point-to-point missions with InFlight’s Automated Flight Modes.
Monitor Drone Flights
See the location, identity, and speed of all your active drone flights in near-real time with Skyward’s Live Flight Tracking.
Review Operation & Check Flight Logs
Close out the operation by reviewing flight logs and recording your results. See every flight from all your teams, or drill down into the details of an individual flight.
Process Your Drone Data
Process drone data with Skyward Mapping & Modeling, powered by Pix4D. View and analyze 2D maps and 3D models in Skyward, or export them for use in third-party tools.
Skyward Drone Operations Management Platform Features
Plan
Airspace Map & Ground Data
Easy-to-understand airspace, 3D views of ground objects, VFR map layer, and much more
Personnel & Aircraft Management
See crew certification statuses & track aircraft maintenance tickets
Access to Controlled Airspace
Submit LAANC airspace requests and get a response in seconds
Approval Workflow
Request approval from key stakeholders before deploying to the field
Operation Planning
Create precise flight areas for an operation & assign crews & aircraft
Skyward APIs
Integrate Skyward data into third-party business systems
Fly
InFlight Mobile App & GCS
Bring Skyward to iOS, Android, and select DJI devices
Checklists
Build customizable checklists and complete them in the field
Automated Flight Modes
Fly programmed survey, orbit, and point to point missions
Flight Logging
Automatically log flights from Skyward InFlight and compatible third-party apps
Risk Assessment
Identify & document critical risks to an operation with customizable risk questions
Program Insights
Quickly compare data across all your teams, or drill down to individual flights
Live Flight Tracking
View your active drone flights in near-real time for situational awareness & oversight
Process
3D Modeling
Create, view, and measure 3D photogrammetric models from the Skyward platform
2D Mapping
Create, view, and measure 2D orthomosaic models from the Skyward platform
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Pix4D is the market leader in photogrammetry software technology
Model Exporting
View maps and models in Skyward or export to third-party systems for advanced analysis
Integrate Your Systems with Skyward APIs
Skyward offers APIs to integrate airspace information, flight operation planning, and drone program reporting from Skyward into your existing business intelligence platform.
SureFlight API
For airspace information & flight planning
- Quickly determine if it is safe to fly from a compatible mapping application
- Receive notifications if further coordination is needed in LAANC-enabled airspace
Reporting API
For drone program management data
- Run queries on operations, flights, personnel, aircraft, and batteries
- Integrates into your company’s existing business intelligence tools
Operations API
For planning drone flights
- Plan flights and deploy fleets from any compatible application
- Integrate flight planning and logging into your business intelligence tools
Skyward Drone Software Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Skyward’s software cost?
Skyward offers several subscription tiers depending on your drone program’s size, scale, and maturity. Different features are available at various tiers. Subscriptions are usually based on a price-per-user model. Visit our Pricing page for cost breakdowns.
What’s special about Skyward’s Drone Airspace Map?
Skyward’s airspace map is meticulously designed to simplify complex information. It features a simple, accessible color scheme to help pilots quickly determine if their area of operation is in restricted airspace or if they need to request an airspace authorization. Variable zoom provides the information you need at the altitude you’re viewing. And Skyward offers four map layers: satellite, terrain, dark, and even a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) sectional chart layer for more experienced aviators. Read this article to learn more about the design and function behind Skyward’s drone airspace map.
What ground information does Skyward’s software offer?
Skyward includes ground intelligence such as 3D views of buildings and structures, airport runways, terrain elevation, schools, hospitals, walking paths, major electrical lines, and more. This data comes from a variety of sources, including the FAA, FCC, Mapbox, and OpenStreetMap. Read this article for more information on Skyward’s ground intelligence data.
Why do I need the FAA’s LAANC capability for airspace access?
The FAA’s Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) allows drone operators to submit automated requests for access to fly within controlled airspace. Before LAANC, the only way to receive this authorization was to manually apply for a waiver from the FAA, which could take up to 90 days. Skyward is an FAA-approved LAANC service supplier, which means that drone operators can request automated airspace authorizations via the Skyward platform. For more information, find out how to access LAANC in Skyward.
How accurate is Skyward’s Mapping and Modeling for drones?
Skyward Mapping & Modeling is powered by Pix4D, the market leader in photogrammetry software technology. This capability produces high-quality, business-ready 2D maps and 3D models that can be viewed and measured within the Skyward platform. Maps and models can also be exported to third-party software for advanced analysis. Learn more about Skyward Mapping & Modeling
Does Skyward have a mobile app?
Yes. Skyward offers InFlight, a mobile app and ground control station (GCS). InFlight is available for iOS and Android, including DJI Crystal Sky monitor and DJI Smart Controller. Learn more about Skyward’s InFlight Mobile App.
Do I need Skyward APIs?
Skyward’s APIs are designed for enterprise customers who need to import drone program data into their existing business intelligence systems. For customers who don’t have heavy BI systems, Skyward offers the Program Manager Dashboard, a pre-built reporting dashboard that doesn’t require any experience setting up custom APIs. Contact a Skyward representative to learn more about Skyward’s APIs.
