Starting a Drone Program in Indigenous Communities: The Basics

Starting a drone program in your community or organization may be more accessible and affordable than you think. In this blog, we’ll discuss key considerations for adopting drone technology in your community. Our team has collaborated with First Nations communities across North America to successfully implement drone technology for applications such as land stewardship, environmental monitoring, and cultural preservation.

Identifying the Need for a Drone Program

Using drones can greatly enhance safety and efficiency, as demonstrated by many of our partners. As drone technology continues to advance, new use cases are constantly emerging. While we’ll share some examples from our previous partnerships, it’s crucial to define the scope of your project early on. Many organizations share drone resources across departments, so gathering feedback from all stakeholders is key to determining your specific needs.

Category	Details
Is there a program leader?	A successful program requires strong leadership. Appoint a program leader who is technically inclined and has an interest in technology.
What are our internal capabilities?	Evaluate the technical requirements for processing drone data, such as LiDAR or photogrammetry. Consider the following: Do you have a GIS specialist for data handling? Is there a need for new hardware for data processing? Will training in data processing be required?
Who will be operating the drones?	Select team members who will operate drones. They may need training and certification to ensure safe and compliant operation, which we offer.
What is our budget?	Determine your budget for training and technology investments. Explore available grants to help fund your program.
What is the scope of our drone program?	Gather feedback from stakeholders to outline the scope of your drone program. Key objectives may include: I want to use drones for land and livestock monitoring. I want to Digitally preserve and documenting our cultural sites. I want to Map our land boundaries

A clear program scope and feedback from stakeholders can guide your decision-making. Remember, a drone is a tool, and how you use it will define your program’s success.

Drone Training and Certification

Proper training is essential before investing in drone hardware. We offer flexible, affordable, and customizable training programs tailored to the needs of First Nations communities, available both online and in person. Our training ensures your team is confident in flying and processing data, and we can assist in developing your drone program.

Types of training we offer:

	Online	In-person	Custom
Attendees	We offer training for single pilots or groups.
Drone licensing	Self-paced Drone certification courses	On location flight training and Flight review certification	Don’t see the training you need? Contact us
Flight training	n/a
Data processing	Online sessions with our data processing experts
Pricing	Starting from $250 per person	Starting from $1500 per person + travel and accommodations

Regulatory Overview:

Transport Canada (TC) governs all drone operations across the country. Whether using drones for professional purposes or leisure, obtaining your RPAS Pilot Certificate is more manageable than it might seem. It involves time and investment, much like learning any new skill.

For those in the United States, the FAA Part 107 sUAS certification applies. Our team can provide guidance on that process.

Canada’s Drone Certification Categories:

Certification	Basic Pilot	Advanced Pilot
Fly in Controlled Airspace	No	Yes
Fly within 30m of people	No	Yes
Fly over bystanders	No	Yes (with additional requirements)
Fly near airports or aerodromes	No	Yes
Fly near heliports	No	Yes

An Advanced Pilot Certificate offers the most flexibility but may not always be necessary, depending on your location. Our consultants can help you determine which certification is best for your needs.

Choosing the Right Starter Drone

Drones range in price from around $250 to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on your needs. While higher-end models require larger investments, the data they provide can be invaluable. You can consider sharing costs between departments or communities, and utilizing government grants.

Most drones today, especially DJI models, are user-friendly with advanced features like obstacle avoidance, making them easy to operate. If concerns arise about potential crashes, DJI’s Care Refresh program can provide coverage for accidental damage and replace your equipment.

Here’s a quick look at some drone options:

Model	Cost	Weather Resistance	Capabilities	Experience Level	Payloads/Accessories
DJI Mini 4 Pro	<$1,000	None	High-definition photos and videos	Beginner	N/A
Mavic 3 Enterprise	$5,000+	None	Photo Mapping, thermal imaging	Beginner – Intermediate	Spotlight, speaker
Matrice 350 RTK	$20,000+	IP55 (rain, snow, dust)	Photo, LiDAR, thermal mapping	Intermediate – Advanced	LiDAR, thermal, zoom, photogrammetry, multispectral, spotlights, speakers

Data Management and Usage

If your drone operations are primarily for reconnaissance and documentation, data management may be straightforward. However, more advanced applications like using a Matrice 350 RTK with LiDAR sensors will require additional data processing capabilities.

Skillset: Experience with GIS software, such as ArcGIS, is beneficial for processing complex data sets. If your team lacks this experience, our experts can provide the necessary training.

Hardware: A gaming-grade computer is usually sufficient for most data processing needs. As your data volume grows, investing in additional storage drives may be necessary.

Software Solutions: We offer complete software solutions to complement our technology. It’s best to consult with our team for a tailored solution.

Conclusion:

Starting small and growing your drone operations through training and practice is the best way to ensure success. By building internal expertise and gradually expanding capabilities, your community can fully benefit from this powerful technology. We can save you a lot of time researching, contact our consultant today to get started!