Industry leaders at XPONENTIAL 2025 emphasize that Safety Management Systems are essential—and scalable—for all drone operations, from startups to major carriers.
By DRONELIFE Contributing Editor Paul Rossi
At XPONENTIAL 2025, a panel of aviation safety experts from the FAA, Amazon Prime Air, Causey Aviation Unmanned and UPS Flight Forward gathered to discuss a crucial topic that’s gaining momentum across the drone industry: integrating Safety Management Systems (SMS) into UAS operations. Their message was clear – SMS isn’t just for manned aviation anymore, and it’s not just for the big players either.
The Four Pillars of SMS
The FAA has defined SMS through four interdependent components:
- Safety Policy – Sets the tone at the top by establishing a safety-first culture.
- Safety Risk Management – Identifies hazards and mitigates them before incidents occur.
- Safety Assurance – Evaluates the effectiveness of safety controls and identifies new risks.
- Safety Promotion – Builds safety into organizational DNA through training and communication.
As described by Rachel Carlstrom of the FAA, SMS is shifting from a voluntary framework toward an expected standard, especially for operators under Part 135. With the recent adoption of the Declaration of Compliance model, operators are now expected to self-validate their SMS while the FAA monitors programs through surveillance, not line-by-line approval.
From Legacy Aviation to Drone-Specific SMS
Jeff Causey, Founder and CEO of Causey Aviation Unmanned, detailed his company’s journey adapting a traditional IS-BAO SMS to support drone operations in residential areas and around schools. “We realized early on that traditional aviation safety tools were absolutely necessary, but they had to be retooled to make sense for low-altitude UAS delivery missions,” he explained. CAU uses weekly safety meetings to review reports, address changes, and maintain open feedback loops with all operational departments.
Safety by Design at Amazon Prime Air
Dominic Acevedo, Director of Flight Operations at Amazon Prime Air, provided insight into how Amazon’s vertically integrated model allows them to embed SMS deeply into both their operational and manufacturing processes. “We treat audits not as gotchas, but as opportunities,” he said. With safety officers embedded at every site, Amazon leverages near real-time investigations and uses internal audits to prepare for FAA surveillance. Their SMS even feeds back into product design and change management, closing the loop between operational reality and engineering decisions.
UPS Flight Forward: Scaling Culture from Day One
Eric Bergesen, Director of Operations at UPS Flight Forward, brought the perspective of a legacy air carrier turned drone logistics innovator. His team adopted SMS voluntarily before it was required, based on their experience in Part 121 operations. “We scaled down a robust airline SMS to fit the UAS world, focusing on culture from day one,” said Bergesen. Operating medical deliveries around hospital campuses, UPSFF developed a layered mitigation strategy to safely coexist with emergency helicopters – a practical example of how SMS helps anticipate and deconflict high-risk environments.
Right-Sizing SMS for Every Operator
A key message throughout the session was “right-sizing”. All panelists emphasized that SMS should scale with the complexity of operations. Small operators don’t need a 200-page manual or a dedicated safety department to be effective. What they do need is a safety reporting process, basic risk assessment tools, and a culture that encourages proactive hazard identification.
As Carlstrom noted, “Your SMS shouldn’t live in a binder on a shelf. It should be part of your day-to-day operations.”
Final Thoughts
As drone programs mature and regulators align more closely with manned aviation standards, SMS will become a defining trait of safe and scalable operations. Whether you’re flying a single drone or managing a fleet, now is the time to invest in a system that doesn’t just protect your business – it strengthens it.
Read more:
Paul Rossi, US Army Veteran, is the President at Nine Ten Drones, a N. C.-based drone services company, training center, and reseller. A graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and the U.S. Army Aviation Logistics School, Rossi is passionate about the aviation industry. He holds both a Private Pilot’s License w/ Instrument Rating for manned aircraft and a Part 107 Remote Pilot’s Certificate. Rossi is currently studying for his MS Space Operations from ERAU, energized to expand his reach beyond Earth’s atmosphere. You can see more videos and product information on the Nine Ten Drones YouTube channel and connect with Paul on LinkedIn.com
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife here.