UAS - Program Foundations & Readiness

Program Ownership

Appoint a dedicated program lead with cross-functional visibility and clear operational authority, as well as an executive-level internal champion. The internal champion should recognize the long-term value of UAS and help align the program with organizational priorities, capital planning, and performance objectives.

This ownership structure supports enterprise adoption across operations, engineering, safety, compliance, and vegetation management.

Use Cases

Define the operational use cases for your program. Consider starting with high-impact, low-barrier applications (like substation inspections, right-of-way mapping, or solar array surveys) to demonstrate value early and build confidence for advanced use cases.

Hardware

Identify essential operational and compliance requirements when selecting flight platforms and payloads.

In addition to mission capabilities such as thermal imaging, high-resolution optical sensors, or Real-Time Kinematic positioning, evaluate procurement standards, cybersecurity considerations, and, where applicable, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) eligibility.

ROI

Defining the ROI of your UAS program helps justify the cost and track performance over time. Describe the expected safety improvements, time savings, cost avoidance, internal capability development, and other potential measurable returns.

Compliance

Outline the regulatory and organizational requirements for safe and lawful operations, including FAA Part 107 certification, airspace authorization planning, and Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight waivers, where applicable.

For utilities and public power organizations, platform procurement has become as complex as platform operation. NDAA eligibility, cybersecurity certifications, data sovereignty requirements, and internal IT security standards can all affect which systems your organization can legally purchase, deploy, and operate—and the landscape continues to evolve.

Evaluating these requirements before making hardware decisions reduces procurement risk and protects your program in the long term.

FAQ Section

Frequently Asked Questions

What regulations apply to operating drones and robotics in the United States?

For aerial systems, operations are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Part 107 of Title 14 CFR. This regulation covers remote pilot certification, operational limits, and flight restrictions. Ground and aquatic robotics are typically governed by workplace safety and environmental standards, such as OSHA and EPA guidelines, depending on the environment and use case.

Does Gresco UAS assist with FAA Part 107 certification?

Yes, Gresco UAS provides guidance and training support to help individuals and teams prepare for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot exam. We also assist customers in understanding waivers, airspace authorizations, and operational procedures for commercial and utility applications.

Are the drones and robotics offered through Gresco UAS NDAA-compliant?

Gresco UAS offers a range of NDAA-compliant and Blue UAS-approved platforms that meet federal cybersecurity and supply chain standards. These systems are suitable for customers who must comply with federal, state, or utility procurement policies. We help each organization confirm compliance before purchase to avoid procurement or funding conflicts.

How does Gresco UAS support flight and operational safety?

Gresco UAS focuses on the safe integration of autonomous systems into existing field workflows.

We assist customers with:

Operational risk assessments
Standard operating procedures (SOP) development
Training and best practices for safe deployment
Coordination of manufacturer-provided maintenance and safety documentation

Our goal is to help customers build programs that protect personnel, equipment, and infrastructure.

What is the difference between FAA authorization and a waiver?

An authorization allows operations in controlled airspace for a specific time and location. Many of these authorizations are obtained through the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system, which provides near real-time approval for qualifying flights under Part 107.

A waiver, by contrast, allows operation outside standard Part 107 limits, such as flying at night, over people, or beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).

Gresco UAS helps customers determine which type of approval applies to their missions and provides guidance on preparing the required documentation and risk assessments.

What is BVLOS, and can Gresco UAS help with it?

BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) refers to operating a drone or robotic aircraft beyond the pilot’s direct visual range. These operations currently require a waiver or specific FAA authorization under Part 107.

Gresco UAS assists customers in understanding the requirements, risk assessments, and operational planning needed for BVLOS approval. While full regulatory adoption of BVLOS is still in progress, we help utilities and infrastructure teams design programs that align with FAA expectations and prepare for future rule changes.

Our partnerships with manufacturers participating in BVLOS trials and type-certification programs allow us to guide customers toward systems and workflows that will remain viable as regulations evolve.

Can Gresco UAS help utilities and municipalities develop safety procedures?

Yes, Gresco UAS assists customers in creating practical safety and compliance procedures for drone and robotics operations. This includes identifying flight zones, establishing communication protocols, and documenting maintenance and inspection records to support both internal and regulatory audits.

How can I protect data collected by drones and robotics?

Data security starts with selecting the right hardware and software. Gresco UAS helps customers select secure, U.S.-compliant systems and configure data workflows that meet organizational policies for storage, access, and transmission. We also provide manufacturer documentation and configuration guidance to help maintain cybersecurity standards.

Why partner with Gresco UAS for compliance and safety?

Compliance and safety are foundational to reliable operations. Gresco UAS combines industry knowledge, manufacturer partnerships, and regulatory insight to help customers meet FAA, NDAA, and internal safety requirements. Our approach gives organizations confidence that their technology programs meet both operational and compliance standards.