Drone Dock Installation in Just 3 Days – Here’s How It Works

For many, the idea of deploying an autonomous drone dock sounds complicated: installation, regulations, authorizations… surely that takes months, right? Not anymore.

During our recent webinar, we walked through exactly how companies are deploying drone docks in just three days.From setup to the first flight. Here’s how it works.

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Day 1: Drone Dock Installation – What You Need to Get Started

Before anything else, you need an autonomous drone dock

You have two options: rent or buy. Renting is great for short-term projects, but if you’re planning long-term use, buying makes sense because rental costs quickly exceed purchase costs.

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Setting up the dock is surprisingly simple:

Find a location – The dock must be placed on stable, flat ground with access to power and internet.

Connect to power & internet – Docks can run on LTE/4G, Starlink, or wired internet.

Set an emergency landing zone – If the dock ever fails, the drone needs a safe backup landing spot.

Time required: Less than half a day

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Day 2: Authorization

“People assume it takes forever. It doesn’t.”

Regulatory approvals are one of the biggest concerns people have when considering drone docks. Many assume drone docks require complex approvals, but that’s outdated thinking.

Fast-track options for instant approvals

In the EU: Sitemark works with LUC-certified pilots who can self-authorize flights in just three days.

In the US: Part 107 Waivers allow immediate deployment with an authorized remote pilot.

Time required: 3 days with external pilot

Once the dock is installed, a certified remote pilot can start flying immediately, eliminating long approval waits.

And if you want to fly yourself, Sitemark helps with the SORA approval process (EU) or Part 107 Certification (US). It takes a few months, but in the meantime, you can still operate the dock with an external pilot.

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Day 3: First Flight

With drone dock installation complete and authorization secured, it’s time to fly.

At this point, we remotely log into the dock, schedule a flight, and the drone takes off—all without anyone on-site.

Here’s how it works:

Schedule the mission – Set flight parameters for construction monitoring, inspections, or security.

Launch remotely – The drone takes off, executes the mission autonomously, and returns.

Data is instantly uploaded – No SD cards or manual transfers—just real-time insights.

Time required: 1 hour

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What About Long-Term Operations?

Once your dock is running, you can:

Continue flying with external pilots indefinitely.

Apply for your own authorization (if you want full internal control).

Expand operations, adding multiple docks and automating inspections.

And if you’re wondering how often you need to maintain the dock: “Every six months, you do a quick check—make sure it’s clean, everything is working, and that’s it.”

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Want to See a Drone Dock in Action? Watch the Webinar!

We covered everything in our recent webinar, including:

A real-time demo of an autonomous drone dock taking off and landing

Live Q&A answering audience concerns on regulations and costs Insights into how companies are already using drone docks today.

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FAQ

Can I Operate the Drone Dock Myself?

Yes! But BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) regulations determine how soon you can start.

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Option 1: Instant Deployment with an External Pilot

Fastest way to start flying your drone dock!

EU: LUC-certified pilots can self-authorize BVLOS flights in just 3 days.
US: Part 107 Waiver allows immediate remote operation.

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Option 2: Become a Self-Flying Operator

🛠 Want to operate the dock yourself? You’ll need approval:

✔ EU: Apply for SORA certification for BVLOS authorization.
✔ US: Obtain a Part 107 License for legal operation.

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How Do I Handle BVLOS Drone Regulations?

EU BVLOS Regulations

✔ SORA Certification – Required for BVLOS autonomous drone operations.
✔ LUC (Light UAS Operator Certificate) – Some operators can self-authorize flights within 3 days.
✔ Third-Party BVLOS Pilot Support – Instant flights via LUC-certified pilots.

💡 “In every EU country, remote drone flights are already happening,” Idriss confirmed.

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US BVLOS Regulations

✔ FAA Part 107 Waiver – Grants BVLOS approval for autonomous drone operations.
✔ Certified Drone Pilot Support – Pre-approved remote pilots ensure instant deployment.
✔ Dock-in-a-Box Solution – A pre-authorized drone dock ready to fly out of the box.