Celebrating the saves, wins, and heroic feats of our customers in their every day work.
The Aerial Achievement Awards were created to show the world the incredible work achieved with Skydio drone programs, giving recognition to those who are doing big things.
People's Choice: Lifesaving Achievement Award
Meet this year's finalists and cast your vote for the most powerful story of the year.
OKC first responders use DFR to locate man hit by train
Redmond police reunite missing elderly man with DFR support
BCSO uses DFR to safely resolve armed standoff with children
NYPD prevents over 200 subway surfing incidents using DFR
Alaska DOT drones aid Juneau response to record glacial flood
LVMPD uses DFR to rescue stranded hiker at Lone Mountain
Thank you for your vote!
Stay tuned for the announcement of our winners.
2025 Aerial Achievement Award nominees
See how the world's most advanced aerial robotics are making a difference for some of the world's most respected companies and organizations.
Alaska DOT&PF
On August 13, 2025, a record glacial lake outburst flood from Suicide Basin surged into the Mendenhall River, cresting at 16.65 feet. Thanks to proactive flood mitigation, more than 10,000 HESCO barriers and thousands of sandbags were in place ahead of the event—protecting roughly 460 properties and limiting damage to about 50 homes.
To support the response, Skydio drones flew 77 missions totaling 18.5 hours, providing real-time monitoring across five miles of the flood zone. Fixed drone positions tracked high-risk areas and guided mitigation crews, while mobile flights assessed bridge erosion and shifting hazards. This aerial perspective accelerated decision-making, reduced risks to responders, and ensured resources were deployed where they were needed most. The effort helped stabilize critical infrastructure and demonstrated how technology can strengthen resilience against future floods.
American Electric Power
Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department
Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a critical incident involving two young children, ages 7 and 9, armed with a loaded firearm. Using real-time aerial support from the X10, deputies maintained situational awareness and safely secured the scene—preventing what could have become a deadly force encounter.
Caltrans
Dominion Energy
East Orange Police Department
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Faulkner County Sherriff's Office
Hillsborough County Sherriff's Office
Las Vegas Metro Police Department
The Drone as First Responder (DFR) unit was called to assist when a man became stranded on a ledge along the eastern face of Lone Mountain. Upon arrival, the drone team quickly located the individual and relayed his precise position to ground rescue crews, enabling the fire department’s heavy rescue team to respond without delay.
Over the next four hours, the DFR team maintained aerial support, using spotlights to illuminate both the stranded climber and the rescue crews as operations continued into the night. The man was safely brought down unharmed, and the fire department later credited the drone team as a critical factor in the mission’s success.
LNG Canada
New York City Police Department
Since late 2023, New York City’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) program has carried out more than 340 targeted operations to combat the dangerous trend of subway surfing. These efforts have directly saved the lives of 200 juveniles, including 52 so far in 2025.
Beyond rescues, DFR footage is being used to identify at-risk youth and detern others from attempting this high-risk behavior. By combining rapid response with prevention, the program is helping protect young lives and address one of the city’s most pressing public safety challenges.
New York Power Authority
Oklahoma City PD & FD
Oklahoma City first responders faced a life-threatening emergency when a man was struck by a train and critically injured. Within minutes of launch, a Drone as First Responder (DFR) from OKCPD’s Real Time Information Center located the victim and guided Oklahoma City Fire Department crews directly to him.
The rapid aerial response made it possible for firefighters to reach the man quickly and provide the lifesaving care he needed. Officials later noted that he would not have survived without the speed and precision of the DFR program—an effort made possible by years of teamwork between OKCPD and OKCFD
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
Philadelphia Police Department
Redmond Police Department
Redmond officers responded to a reported missing endangered 80-year-old man who suffers from dementia and diabetes. Officers searched the heavily wooded area nearby but were unable to locate him. A DFR was deployed, and the man was found uninjured and reunited with his family.
Southern California Edison
St. Petersburg Police Department
Texas Department of Transportation
Turner Construction
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Army
West Palm Beach Police Department
Award Winner Experience
Aerial Achievement
Award winners receive:
Skydio Award Trophy
a beautiful hand-casted Statuette, the symbol of Drone excellence
Industry Recognition
Celebration at Skydio Ascend Awards Spotlight
Skydio For All charitable donation
Donation to the winner’s selected community organization subject to applicable policy and regulation.
Award Categories
The Aerial Achievement Awards are for those who take on the monumentous challenge of building a safer, better future with Skydio technology
...and we applaud you.
Entry Information
01
Pick your
biggest win
02
Fill out the award
nomination form
03
Entries are
evaluated
04
Winners are selected
and recognized
Entry requirements
Entry Brief:
Award nominations should include a story description illustrating how you or other customers have used their suite of Skydio products to improve outcomes in the field. Whether saving time, saving lives or serving the community — we want to hear all of the gritty details.
Video / Audio Submission:
Entries must include Skydio camera footage or other supporting media. Submitted content must be suitable for unrestricted publication and use by Skydio.
Eligibility
Nominations for Skydio Aerial Achievement Awards are open to any organization or person who uses a Skydio drone (any model) to improve outcomes in their field of work.
- Video footage or still imagery of the event is required for winner(s)
- Event must have occurred within the last two years
- Event must be qualified and approved for external publication and celebration
*Participants attest that they are eligible to participate based on their local jurisdiction, and as applicable, their agency requirements. Skydio is committed to following and implementing necessary measures to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements.
Questions?
FAQs
What are the Award Categories?
Examples of Skydio Award Categories may include but are not limited* to:
- Program Excellence
- Lifesaving Achievements
- Best New Program of the Year
- Achievements in Innovation
- Social Impact
- Photography
Will more than one award be given per category?
Depending on the specific award and eligible nominations, and subject to Skydio’s sole discretion, more than one award may be granted per category.
How will the final Award winners be selected?
Award nominations will be reviewed by a panel of Skydio experts and executives.
How will nominees be notified of their nominations?
Nominees will be notified via email communications from Awards@Skydio.com
How will Award winners be notified of their Award?
Award winners will be announced at Ascend 2025, during the Customer Awards Spotlight taking place on September 17, 2025 in Santa Cruz County, CA. This event will also be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person.
How many times can an agency or individual be nominated?
There is no limit to the number of nominees any one agency, organization or individual can receive.
Can a nominee receive multiple awards?
Yes, there is no limit to the number of Awards an individual or Agency may receive.
Do I have to submit photos or videos with my nomination?
Photos or videos are required in order for nominees to be selected as winners. Photo or video assets should help to support the story of the nomination and can include but are not limited to, Skydio Drone footage of the incident, body cam or other peripheral video content of the nominated event, headshot or profile image of the nominated individual or other supplemental content such as news media that helps depict the story or profile of the nomination.
Does the content associated with a nomination need to be approved for external use?
Yes, all content submitted as part of the Award nomination process must be approved for external use and promotion.
Can Skydio use the content associated with a nomination even if it is not selected for an Award?
Yes, Skydio may use the content associated with a nomination even if it is not selected for an Award so as to provide the nominee with Industry recognition for their achievements.
When does the nomination period end?
The Aerial Achievement Awards is an evergreen Awards program. Nominees for the 2025 Ascend Customer Awards Spotlight will be accepted through August 30, 2025.
Nominees submitted after August 30, 2025 will be considered for recognition in the following year.
Not seeing the answers you’re looking for?
Please reach out to Awards@Skydio.com and our team will be happy to help!