NTSB Working to Streamline Drone Program

Safety agency does not have a centralized system for tracking its drones, which are used to capture video and photos of incidents.

Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 04:40 PM ET

Verified

An NTSB air safety investigator begins the initial examination of the wreckage of a Pilatus PC-12 that crashed in Chamberlain, South Dakota, on November 30, 2019, at 12:30 p.m. CT shortly after departure from Chamberlain Municipal Airport. [Credit: NTSB]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB is seeking cloud-based software for fleet management to enhance its growing drone program, which is crucial for accident investigations.
The agency's drone program has recently expanded significantly from five to 12 drones and increased personnel, moving away from previous manual and inefficient tracking methods.
This modernization aims to centralize the management of its UAS assets and personnel to improve the effectiveness and integrity of NTSB investigations.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is working to enhance its drone program by seeking a cloud-based software provider for fleet management, according to a recent federal contract posting.

The agency intends to use this software to more effectively track its increasing number of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), which are vital for investigating accidents. The NTSB does not have a centralized system for tracking its drones, which are used to capture video and photos of incidents and perform mapping and photogrammetry.

Amelia Walsh

Amelia Walsh is a private pilot who enjoys flying her family’s Columbia 350. She is based in Colorado and loves all things outdoors including skiing, hiking, and camping.