Foto:UAS Norway

UNC2026: Remote Drone Operations – What You Really Need to Learn

Remote operations are no longer a future concept, they are becoming the backbone of scalable drone services. These sessions cut through the hype and focus on what organisations actually need to master to operate drones safely, reliably and at scale. If you are moving from pilots to permanent capability, this is essential learning.
Erfan Shaerzadeh. ChatGPT

Remote drone operations have long been presented as a future efficiency gain. At UNC2026, they are discussed as an operational necessity already taking shape across Europe. As drone use expands across policing, energy, transport and emergency response, the limitations of pilot centric operations have become increasingly clear. Scaling unmanned aviation now requires new operational models, not just better aircraft.

Several sessions at UNC2026 focus on how organisations are building centralised and distributed remote drone operations. Speakers from the Norwegian Police, Avinor and Statnett share how drones are being integrated into permanent operational structures, supported by governance frameworks, training programmes and operational control systems. These are not pilot projects, but services expected to function reliably every day.

The topic is particularly relevant now because regulatory approvals alone are no longer the main bottleneck. Instead, organisations struggle with how to maintain oversight, ensure safety and build trust when operations are conducted far from the aircraft. Technology providers such as FlytBase and AirHub address how software platforms, remote diagnostics and real time system awareness enable safe and accountable BVLOS operations.

These sessions are especially relevant for operators, public authorities, infrastructure owners and technology providers who are moving from experimental drone use toward continuous service delivery. For decision makers responsible for scaling operations, remote drone operations are no longer optional. They are foundational.