Unmanned Aerial Systems
How to get your program started
Getting an in-house drone program underway
Deciding what you need
Program Essentials & Required Certifications
Documentation & Preflight Planning
You should have seen me running across the plank
Background: Eric Kerney
- Senior Environmental Specialist - Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Environ Dept.
- Board member at IMAGIN, Friends of the St. Joe River, Kzoo Complete Streets Advisory Comm.
- MA Geography & Environmental Resources - WMU
- Part 107 Licensed Pilot, Certified 2017, Re-cert in 2019
- UAS interests: Environmental Resources, Water & Hydrology, Restoration Projects, Wild Rice
- Other Areas: Infrastructure/Utilities, GIS, Planning/Design, Oil & Gas Drilling, Public Safety
EXAMPLES
Prescribed Burn at Pine Creek - April 23rd 2018
Bridge Construction Monitoring & Documentation
Quick Flooding Assessment - Kalamazoo Flooding Feb 2018
Wild River Rice Monitoring
Major Oil & Gas Pipeline Crossings
Timelapse Aerial Images
Small-Scale Orthomosaics
First a Quick Story...
Our New M210!
But wait...
YOUR OWN DRONE - STARTING A PROGRAM
(1) Initiating a Program In-House
(2) May Fulfill Complete or Partial UAS Needs
(3) Applications
Civil Engineering, Environmental Management, Agriculture, Disaster Relief, Public Safety, Forestry, Aggregate Asset Management, Videography/Journalism, Outreach Media, Infrastructure Inventories, Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Inventories… … … …
Unmanned Aerial Systems
More than just a drone...
Parts of Program:
- Organizational Structure
- Documentation
- Training
- Processing & Analysis
- Equipment
- UAV components...
UAV Components:
- Power/Propulsion System
- Sensors
- GPS/GNSS Navigation
- Controller/Telemetry
- Flight Control Systems
- Airframe
- Landing Gear
OUTPUTS
Media only or Georeferenced?
Orthomosaic ->
DEM/Topography
Courtesy John Nelson, ESRI
Thermal Imagery
Cornerstonemapping.com
Full Motion Video!
Cody Benkelman: Full Motion Video
3d Point Cloud ->
Aerial Media
EK/NHBP - Pine Creek Reservation
Agriculture Management
factordaily.com
Data Collection
sciencedirect.com
Who Will Be Part of the Program?
- Pilot In Command (PIC)
- Observers
- Data Processors
- Managers
- Legal/Safety Officers
- ...
"Owning a drone does not a pilot make"
PROGRAM ESSENTIALS
What equipment do we need to get started???
What types of drones are there?
What type of drone does our program need?
What other gear/technology is also necessary?
Variety of rotary drones - siteofthedrones.com
Kittyhawk - 2018
Other Equipment:
- Landing Pads
- Additional cords
- Remote control display
- Remote control sun visor
- Field internet connection
- Ground Control Point (GCP) markers
- Additional propellers, batteries, sensors, lens filters, memory cards...
Software:
- Flight control apps
- Autonomous flight apps
- Mapping software
- Mission Planning
- Photogrammetry
- Video/Photo Editing
Training & Certifications
FAA Part 107
Went into effect on August 29, 2016
No longer need Section 333
- UAV must be less than 55 lbs
- Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
- Must not operate over people not involved with operation
- Daylight only, +/- 30 min from sunrise/sunset with lighting
- Yield right of way to other aircraft
- Max speed = 100 mph
- Max altitude = 400 ft, or 400 ft above structure
- Loading is allowed if secure & does not impact flight
- FAA Airspace regulations
- This list is not exhaustive, please review Part 107 rules :
- https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/
Become a FAA Certified Drone Pilot
Obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate Process: https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/
Study for FAA Exam & Schedule at Testing Location: http://candidate.catstest.com/sitesearch.php
Pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Exam
Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA): https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx
Major Test Components
Airspace, Airspace, Airspace!
Aviation Weather Reports
Effects of Weather and Loading on small UAS
Aeronautical Decision Making
Airport Operations
Maintenance & Preflight
FAA Airspace Chart
Detroit Sectional Map
Register Your Drone with the FAA
Cost = $5 and valid for 3 years
https://faadronezone.faa.gov
Mark UAV with registration Number
Training Resources
UAS Training Resources in Michigan
Other Resources:
IMAGIN
MiCAMP
AOPA - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Others
Before You Fly - Things to Consider
Program Documentation
- UAS Manual - SOPs
- Preflight Checklist
- Maintenance Checklist
- Equipment Log
Preflight Basics
NOTAMS - TFRs
Preflight Checklist
- Weather
- Airspace
- Obstructions
- Briefing
- Equipment Links
- Battery Check
- Cargo Secured
LAANC - Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability
Flight Planning Software
THANKS AND STAY TUNED!
Flying over mnomen stands on the Nottawa Creek
