Skyward Launches New Pricing Tier to Support Small Drone Businesses

Portland, Ore.-based Skyward, which provides an operations management solution for commercial drone entities, has introduced what it calls a low-cost pricing tier to help start-ups manage and grow their professional drone programs.

Drone start-ups flying five or fewer flights per month can now access Skyward’s drone airspace map, flight planning and logging tools, and digital system of record for $9.99/month.

“We’re seeing so many companies and small businesses that are just beginning to launch drone operations,” explains Jonathan Evans, Skyward CEO. “They aren’t flying a lot yet, but it’s essential that they’re flying safely because all of us share the same airspace. We didn’t want cost to stand in the way of companies having the safest possible drone flights – even at the outset – and that’s why we introduced our start-up plan.”

In addition, businesses with robust drone programs – more than five flights per month – can subscribe to Skyward’s “professional plus” plan for $199.99/month. The plan includes 100 flights per month, with Federal Aviation Administration-mandated Certificate of Waiver or Authorization reporting and notice to airmen submissions, as well as two 30-minute consultations with Skyward’s professional services team per month.

Since its official system launch in September, Skyward says it has been supporting small companies that are using drones to do business in new and efficient ways. Currently, businesses in six countries are using Skyward to manage drone operations for applications including real estate photography/videography, construction, precision agriculture, professional sports and industrial inspections. Skyward says users can also sign up for a free 30-day trial.

“Before Skyward, we were using spreadsheets, log books or other software tools that lacked collaboration,” says David Day, executive vice president of Keystone Aerial Surveys. “Skyward quickly became essential for our business – allowing us to easily plan missions and track maintenance, pilots and observers in real time. I recommend Skyward to anyone starting or building a drone business.”