Introduction

As Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), or drones, become indispensable tools across critical industries like construction, energy, public safety, and infrastructure inspection, the imperative for safe and compliant operations has never been higher. The inherent risks associated with operating complex aircraft in dynamic environments, including potential collisions, equipment failures, and human error, demand a proactive and systematic approach to safety. Without a robust Risk Assessment framework and a comprehensive Safety Management System (SMS), organizations expose themselves to significant hazards, ranging from accidents and injuries to severe financial losses, reputational damage, and legal repercussions. Adopting established aviation safety principles and tailoring them for the unique characteristics of drone operations is crucial for mitigating these risks and fostering a culture of safety. This essential training course focuses on Risk Assessment & Safety Management Systems for Drones, empowering professionals to establish, implement, and maintain industry-leading safety standards for their drone programs.

This intensive training course provides a comprehensive and practical guide to conducting effective risk assessments and establishing robust Safety Management Systems (SMS) for drone operations. Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of hazard identification, risk analysis methodologies, and mitigation strategies specific to UAS. We will delve into the four core components of an SMS – Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion – and their practical application in a drone context. By mastering the systematic processes for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, as well as developing a proactive safety culture, you will be equipped to design, implement, and continually improve a drone safety program that not only meets regulatory requirements but also ensures the highest level of operational safety and efficiency for your aerial missions.

Target Audience

• Professional Drone Pilots & Operators
• Drone Program Managers & Fleet Owners
• Aviation Safety Officers & Managers
• Quality Assurance Professionals
• Compliance Officers
• Public Safety & Emergency Services Drone Units
• UAS Manufacturers & Developers
• Insurance Professionals in Aviation

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts of risk management and safety management systems (SMS) for UAS.
• Identify and classify hazards specific to drone operations across various environments.
• Learn to conduct systematic risk assessments using established methodologies (e.g., SORA, bowtie).
• Develop effective risk mitigation strategies to reduce the likelihood and severity of drone incidents.
• Grasp the four pillars of an SMS (Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, Safety Promotion) as applied to drones.
• Understand the importance of a proactive safety culture and just culture in drone operations.
• Learn to implement safety performance monitoring and measurement tools.
• Develop procedures for accident/incident reporting, investigation, and analysis for drones.
• Comprehend the role of human factors in drone safety and mitigation strategies.
• Explore regulatory requirements and industry best practices for drone safety management.
• Design a framework for developing and continuously improving a drone-specific SMS.

DURATION

10 Days

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Introduction to Safety & Risk Management in Aviation

• The evolution of aviation safety principles and their relevance to drones.
• Defining hazard, risk, safety, and accident in the context of UAS.
• The necessity of proactive risk management for drone operations.
• Overview of Safety Management Systems (SMS) concept and benefits.
• The importance of a strong safety culture in preventing incidents.

Module 2: Hazard Identification for Drone Operations

• Categories of drone hazards: technical, operational, environmental, human factors.
• Techniques for hazard identification: brainstorming, checklists, incident review, expert consultation.
• Common technical hazards: battery failure, motor malfunction, GPS loss, software glitches.
• Operational hazards: mid-air collision, loss of control, controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
• Environmental hazards: adverse weather, electromagnetic interference, obstacles.

Module 3: Drone Risk Assessment Methodologies

• Qualitative vs. quantitative risk assessment.
• Risk matrices: likelihood vs. severity.
• Introduction to Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) methodology for advanced operations.
• Bowtie analysis for visualizing hazards, threats, controls, and consequences.
• Developing a risk register for identified drone operation risks.

Module 4: Risk Mitigation Strategies for UAS

• Hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE.
• Technical mitigations: redundant systems, detect-and-avoid (DAA), geofencing, parachutes.
• Operational mitigations: robust SOPs, pre-flight checks, contingency planning, emergency procedures.
• Training and competency-based pilot certification as a mitigation.
• Environmental analysis and flight planning to avoid hazards.

Module 5: SMS Pillar 1: Safety Policy & Objectives

• Developing a clear organizational safety policy for drone operations.
• Defining safety objectives and performance indicators (SPIs).
• Management commitment and accountability for safety.
• Roles, responsibilities, and authorities within the drone safety management structure.
• Safety reporting policy and non-punitive reporting systems.

Module 6: SMS Pillar 2: Safety Risk Management (SRM)

• The process of systematic risk management: identify, analyze, assess, mitigate.
• Integrating SRM into all phases of drone operations (planning, execution, post-flight).
• Change management: assessing risks introduced by new equipment, procedures, or environments.
• Proactive vs. reactive risk management approaches.
• Tools for risk analysis and evaluation.

Module 7: SMS Pillar 3: Safety Assurance (SA)

• Safety performance monitoring and measurement: data collection, trend analysis.
• Safety audits and internal investigations to verify compliance and effectiveness of controls.
• Continuous improvement of the SMS based on performance data.
• Quality control processes for drone equipment and operations.
• Corrective and preventative actions (CAPA) management.

Module 8: SMS Pillar 4: Safety Promotion

• Fostering a positive safety culture throughout the organization.
• Safety training and education programs for all personnel involved in drone operations.
• Effective safety communication strategies (briefings, newsletters, feedback channels).
• Promoting a "just culture" where errors are reported and learned from without undue blame.
• Safety awareness campaigns and encouraging proactive safety behaviors.

Module 9: Human Factors in Drone Safety

• Pilot workload, stress, and fatigue management.
• Situational awareness and decision-making under pressure.
• Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles for multi-person drone operations.
• Automation reliance and vigilance decrement.
• Error management and prevention strategies.

Module 10: Accident/Incident Investigation & Reporting

• Defining drone accidents and incidents according to regulatory standards.
• Protocols for immediate response to drone incidents.
• Data collection and preservation from drone logs, sensors, and witnesses.
• Investigation methodologies: root cause analysis, factual investigation.
• Regulatory reporting requirements to aviation authorities.

Module 11: Emergency Response & Contingency Planning

• Developing comprehensive emergency procedures for various drone failures (e.g., loss of link, flyaway).
• Contingency planning for unexpected events: adverse weather, unforeseen obstacles.
• Lost drone procedures and recovery protocols.
• Emergency landing sites and procedures.
• Coordination with emergency services in the event of an incident.

Module 12: Regulatory Compliance & Audit Preparedness

• Understanding national and international regulatory requirements for drone safety.
• Preparing for regulatory safety audits and inspections.
• Documentation management: safety manuals, operational procedures, risk assessments.
• Proof of compliance for advanced operations and specific authorizations.
• The role of industry standards and best practices beyond minimum regulations.

Module 13: Implementing a Drone SMS & Continuous Improvement

• Steps for implementing a drone-specific SMS in an organization.
• Phased implementation strategies for smaller vs. larger operations.
• Integrating SMS with existing management systems.
• Measuring SMS effectiveness and driving continuous improvement.
• Case studies of successful drone SMS implementations and lessons learned.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.