COVID-19, a pandemic - has infected at least 2 million people all over the world and has caused almost approximately 170,000 deaths so far... In order to control and maintain the safety of populations, governments all over the world have implemented lockdowns. People have been restricted to their homes for more than a month (May 2020). Organizations, Governments, and societies need to think of better ways to can continue their operations with minimum physical contact.
Advanced technologies like GIS, Mapping, Data, Artificial Intelligence, surveillance cameras, and autonomous machines are playing a role in combating the pandemic. Drones are playing an active role in fighting this invisible menace. Governments and other authorities are using the drone technology to stop the further spread of COVID-19.
Let’s have a look at how drones are being used to carry on the essential life operations:
Residential compounds and hospitals need daily supplies more than ever. Doctors are in need of medical kits and laboratory testing equipment to perform their operations. During all of this chaos, the need of the hour was to make use of a technology that can ensure minimum to no physical contact.
In this difficult time, drones are being used to fulfill the needs of the people. A lot of countries used drones as the fastest and the effective way to deliver groceries, supply medicines, and take samples from hospitals to laboratories.
On Feb 06, 2020, Wuhan, the epicenter of this pandemic, used an autonomous drone to deliver medical supplies and groceries. This drone also covered the areas where traditional delivery routes were closed.
HeliDrone Survey drones in Lockdown medicine groceries
see here for an example for drone deliveries:
An important responsibility of the authorities across the globe is to control the spread of this outbreak. Almost every country has banned mass gatherings and closed unnecessary public places to implement social distancing and limit person-to-person contact.
However, there are still some areas where people are not taking these measures seriously and not complying with the restrictions. That’s why law enforcement authorities like police are using drones to monitor the movement of people to break all types of social gatherings.
The drone based surveillance cameras are in use to ensure that people are safe and staying in their homes. This technology is greatly helping authorities to monitor a lot of areas at once without any kind of physical engagement, drones can cover distances easily and quickly, results are real-time.
Drones are performing the job of broadcasting information and sending messages or announcements especially to the rural areas that lack proper communication channels. China and several other European countries are using sky speakers with drones to spread messages of social distancing, wearing masks, taking necessary precautions, and staying indoors.
drones speakers public
Health authorities are taking benefit of agricultural spray drones to spray disinfectant in the areas where COVID-19 is spreading fast. The spraying drones carry disinfectant in them and cover vast public spaces in less than an hour. Their speed and function is far better than the already-used traditional processes.
Drones are quite easy to operate and reach hard-to-access areas as well. They reduce the health risk by preventing health workers from being exposed to virus. Many countries like China, Indonesia, UAE, India, and Colombia have successfully used drones to disinfect their public areas. Spain was the first ever country that used agricultural drone for spraying disinfectant in public spaces.
During the peak of this virus in China, the health authorities used thermal cameras attached to drones to get remote temperature measurement in hard-to-reach areas. The operation was carried out on a large scale since people were highly worried about face-to-face contact and catching the infection.
thermal images and drones
The UK, United States, Germany, and China among others have used large empty spaces to construct temporary hospitals to treat more and more patients and lighten the pressure on hospitals. Authorities are using drones to survey these areas as well as a source of light to keep spaces illuminated. China used 6 lighting drones placed 50 meter above the ground to provide light to almost 6,500 square meter area. These drones provided light for 10 hours continuously with one charge!
As you can see from the evidence above drones are playing a larger part in everyday usage and imagination is only the limit for what they be used for in the future.
If you want us to talk about this topic in detail, feel free to contact HeliDrone Surveys.
Drones, also known as unnamed aerial vehicles (UAVs), are being used for military defence purposes and in tech-savvy equipment for quite some time. However, one of the main adopters of this exciting technology is the construction and surveying industry. Drones have transformed the entire construction industry and redefined the way buildings are projected, designed, and maintained. Drones can do much more than just taking high-quality photos. Let’s have a look at how drones add value and simplify the entire construction procedure these days:
Drones help to understand the land distribution and terrain once you purchase the land. You can capture images with drones to get a better understanding of your investment.
Here’s how drones can help in construction projects before they even get started:
A drone having geolocation abilities can provide clear connections between your land and the neighbouring locations in terms of distance and relative boundary points. This helps surveyors as well as project managers to develop more realistic expectations on timelines and design elements. They are better able to communicate with their clients about what is and is not possible. All such information can be collected before starting construction on a site to avoid later amendments and design improvements that lead to additional unplanned costs.
The images and data captured through drones add value by creating layouts that offer information about how to create different segments of the location. Project managers build their whole site plan and drawings based on those photographs and distribute different elements such as parks, buildings, footpaths, and landscaped areas.
One of the great applications of drone technology is photogrammetry. This is about scanning the existing structure and creating 3D models from it. This is quite helpful in renovating buildings because it provides a detail-oriented model without implementing any conditions. Besides that, clients can get a better understanding of their space as well as the outcome of renovation before construction starts.
Drones are commonly used as survey tools in the construction industry to perform progress checks and increased supervision.
Aerial footage from drones add value to a developer's work in the following ways:
You can also make use of drones once the construction is completed.
Here’s how:
There are some construction companies that make use of drone footage in the surveillance and security of their projects. This footage serves as another level of time-stamped proof that can be shared with clients later for maintenance purposes or damage assessment of the building.
Drones are very beneficial in situations like:
There is no technology better than drones to capture high-quality images or aerial shots. You can market your project or entire business by capturing real-looking photos of your place and running successful online marketing campaigns using them.
For every project manager and builder, the surveying and designing phase of any construction project is hard to manage when it comes to timeline and cost. Planners and project managers have a lot on their plates in terms of monitoring the project, keeping everyone safe, and delivering their best for a certain period and budget. The traditional surveying methods are flawed and have certain limitations to them. They also take more time and require human labour.
However, drones can produce reliable data, track a wide range of areas, and inspect the ongoing progress efficiently and accurately. Besides that, they can do the job at a much lower cost as compared to traditional surveying methods. Moreover, they eliminate any risk to human life while working on a dangerous or difficult project.
If you have any questions on this topic, feel free to ask in the comments. Or, you may also contact HeliDrone Surveys for more information.
The hospitality industry continues is always looking for innovation to improve customer services and increase the operations of its business. Considering the growing popularity and advantages of drones, this industry is now beginning to use drones to perform different tasks with a higher level of accuracy and efficiency. The versatility of drones has enabled hotels to develop products and services that would once have seemed impossible...
Drones are bringing new life to websites, giving customer service reps another tool to use for their emails and social media which always benefits from fresh content. Drones can deliver accurate results to data hungry customers whom are looking for those additional services that may entice them to staying at the resort.
The modern traveler is information hungry. They want as much data as possible before booking a hotel or resort for a holiday. You cannot fool a holiday shopper these days by only using flattering angles that make your building or pools look amazing from one angle alone.
Today’s traveler can search hotels with just a click and can view real-time images & views to before finalizing their holiday decisions. The more information you provide people to help them in their decision-making process, the greater are the chances to convert them into customers. Whenever there are gaps in the available information, people are more likely to skip to the next resort fearing the unpleasant consequences.
Here’s how the hospitality industry is making use of drones at both hotels and resorts:
Modern hotels and resorts are benefitting with the use of aerial photography that has been taken with the help of drones. Using aerial photographs from a drone to showcase their hospitality location as well as the interior & exterior of the buildings to offer a clear images to their potential customers. They are also creating impressive video content from the drones to entice the audience so that they can book a stay at their resort or hotel.
Some hotels are using drones to carry out room service to guests in order to ensure that the food is delivered without any delays to their room. The drones can travel at a faster speeds compared to staff members delivering the room service. The technology may currently be a trend but can be here to stay due to the efficiency that it offers and its ability to impress guests!
Drones are used to create accurate maps that resorts can provide for their guests. These maps help guests in navigating the hotel and the outside of the building and local areas when moving around. This technology saves on staff time and improves on efficiency rather than having to provide directions to guests or guiding them to different areas on the ground.
Drones make it possible view in 3D instead of a 2D frame. This helps security teams to monitor hotel buildings, parking lots, and other venues more carefully as well as cost-efficiently. This is more economical than hiring huge security-crew to sit in front of surveillance cameras 24/7.
Industrial drones usually have simple computer architecture and they are not highly secure. Besides that, most of the data that a drone collects is unencrypted. Hackers can use standard debug tools to hack the data and can get an entryway into the company’s wireless network.
Due to frequency interference or hacking system failure, a drone can loose control. This can result in a collision with another aircraft or can harm hotel staff or guests. That’s why any hotel or resort that uses a drone should carry liability insurance.
Whenever a new technology is introduced, it always has its own share of risks and challenges. However, drones have proven their worth within a very short period of time by generating miraculous results in different industries. Technology this advanced is an art as much as it is a skill. Capturing aerial views and collecting useful data has never been this easy before the advent of drones. They are faster, more effective, more efficient, and capture a very compelling perspective.
If you want to know more about this topic, feel free to contact HeliDrone Surveys.
The dilapidation survey records the current condition of a property before starting any kind of construction or development work. It identifies all the structural defects that are present in the property prior to starting any major work.
Registered Building Inspectors who also do independent property inspections conduct the dilapidation survey. Their extensive knowledge, as well as experience of different construction types, enable them to record the parts of the property that are at higher risk of damage.
The buildings that are inspected in the dilapidation survey majorly include landscape areas, commercial & residential buildings, and municipal infrastructure.
All the internal, as well as external walls and floor cracks including ceiling cracks, floor & wall tiling, retaining walls, external roofs, masonry fences, roadways, and channeling, are recorded in the dilapidation survey.
The depth of the dilapidation report entirely depends on the size of the project under inspection. Projects having large infrastructures like tunnels, pipelines, roads usually have a dilapidation report consisting of thousands of properties.
Building construction, infrastructure projects, road works, high-end development, and demolitions can sometimes lead to defects in the adjoining structure if proper precautions are not undertaken. This resulting damage creates situations where it becomes difficult to prove how it occurred and who is responsible for it.
The dilapidation report protects the property owner as well as the builder. It includes all the potential disputes regarding the condition of the property to avoid any inconvenience in the event if the property suffers any damage subsequent to nearby work.
The traditional methods of property inspection have several challenges associated with them. These methods involve high cost, a long time, and great risk. That is why construction companies are now looking for advanced methods to improve the quality and ease of their survey.
Drone-based inspections have come forward as a new paradigm in the construction and development industry because they have significantly improved the efficiency and data acquisition quality parallel to increasing speed as well as safety.
Drones are being used to inspect a wide variety of assets like aerial photography, surveying, deliveries, and asset inspection, etc. They produce detailed and accurate inspection data and minimize the mistakes that generate human errors.
The advanced technology in drones can easily navigate close structures for capturing minute details. They can take high-resolution images that clearly show damage, cracks, misplaced wires, and other defects at angles that humans cannot see. This allows inspection teams to collect more detailed and comprehensive data.
Drones make it easy to inspect tall and complex buildings such as pipelines, oil refineries, and flare stakes, etc. They can reach hard-to-reach areas where humans cannot reach. Drones eliminate the need for physically accessing dangerous locations where height, wind, and weather can lead to serious accidents as well as health risks.
Drones hold the ability to inspect high or low altitudes. They come in several different sizes offering a wide variety to suit the right tools according to inspection needs. This is highly useful for rooftop inspections and building developers.
Drones can capture images, make videos, produce thermal images, transmit data and can perform other advanced functions that enable them to collect and share the information which may take several months using conventional methods. Furthermore, you can easily share all the standard reports and analytical data across different sectors. Different industries can customize the information in different ways for interpreting and sharing relevant data.
Drones reduce the cost and time required to access towers, use aerial lifts, erect ladders, set up stages, and other heavy tools. In addition, they can perform in-depth analysis and detailed surveys without even demanding humans to be present at the location physically. Drones can cover more area in less time thus saving both time and money.
Using drones for performing a dilapidation survey offers many benefits that are less risky, less expensive, and less time-consuming. Thus, drones are gradually replacing the traditional methods of conducting surveys that are more likely to produce inaccurate data and human errors.
If you want to know more about this topic, do let us know in the comments. Besides that, if you have any queries, you may contact Heli Drone Surveys.
Surveying has always been an essential component of sectors like agriculture, mining, urban planning, irrigation, and infrastructure development. When commercial drones were first introduced, the geospatial industry immediately accepted them. These drones had advanced technology, different types of sensors, as well as high-resolution cameras. Surveyors and GIS Professionals saw great potential in them and started using them as flying data collection devices. This led to a comparison between drone vs traditional survey methods. Let’s discuss some major differences between drone surveys and traditional surveys.
A drone survey is a method that is used to collect sufficient data for deep analysis and prolonged decision making with the help of drone technology. As the use of drone survey is becoming more popular in different sectors, the traditional survey techniques are less in use now. We called drone surveys as a disruptive technology.
Disruptive technology or disruptive innovation is the one that changes the way a particular service was used in previous years. The end results achieved through this disruptive technology are more economical in terms of finances, safety, and time.
Traditional survey methods are the ones that are in use for the past many years to collect information for surveys.
Some of the traditional survey methods are:
Scaffolding provides a work platform to perform inspection via ladders and conduct an unhindered survey of a particular place or asset. This method was idealistic because project decision-makers used to get the opportunity to access the place or asset as many times as needed.
There are several safety concerns that come with scaffolding. Some of the major ones are the risk of dropped objects to lower levels, risk of load-bearing equipment failure, and risk of equipment or tools fallen from height.
Rope Access Inspection is a traditional survey method that the IRATA qualified rope access technicians perform. IRATA is a qualification body that governs a person’s certification based on his experience.
Rope Access Inspection is usually considered as a high-level survey method because it is less invasive than other traditional methods. However, there is a great risk of dropped objects and loss of life associated with this method. One minor mistake in handling the rope can cause life-threatening consequences.
MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) is an inspection method that provides unrivaled access to difficult areas. Both of the above-mentioned traditional survey methods have their own pros and cons but MEWP can be highly beneficial if the conditions are appropriate. However, this method is expensive and restrictive for common use.
Although MEWP is a great method to access hard-to-reach areas, it requires trained operators which adds to the cost and often tips over if handled incorrectly. Alongside human error, objects as well as human falls are also possible in this method.
Drone survey allows autonomous flights and eliminates risks of carrying heavy equipment or heavy injuries. You just need to push a button to perform the entire survey of a site and get a complete aerial mapping. In addition, the drone survey is the only method available where if a fault occurs resulting in complete equipment failure, there is no risk of fatality and injury.
A survey grade drone can map a 100 HA site in 50-120 minutes without even needing a surveyor. It can cover more ground in less time thus saving a lot of time and cost as compared to other traditional surveying methods.
Drones actually got popular because of the fact that they can easily survey locations that are inaccessible by workers and vehicles. Surveying flooded areas, long roads, and congested city landscapes can easily be done with the help of drone technology.
Drone roof surveys produce highly detailed images and maps. This allows the roof surveyors to navigate and analyze any location in fine detail to remove any specific fault or remedial requirement.
Drones do not possess any limitations in terms of a particular surrounding or an idealistic environment. They can provide detailed and live feedback to the connected devices, recorded SD cards, or to the ground location. Thus, the outputs generated from drone building surveys provide great data results for further remote analysis and planning.
Drone vs traditional survey has always been a popular topic of discussion since the drones introduced. Both methods have their own pros and cons but drone surveys have made their place by providing cost-effective solutions to different sectors. Drones have become a go-to option for most of the surveyors because of the immense benefits they offer. The rapid growth of drone technology indicates its market demand and value in many sectors of the business.
So, if you have any questions related to drone surveys London, feel free to contact HeliDrone Surveys.
photogrammetry project drones London, photographic and video surveys for building & roof inspections,
We were ask a local history group to document and map an area of a Brockley and Ladywell cemetery in Brockley South East London . See about 3D Point Clouds and Drone Photogrammetry from here.
Drones used for surveying.
As this is a conservation and nature reserve area as well as being a historical site. We needed permission from the landowner to fly here. Luckily we had connections with the Friends of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries group. www.foblc.org.uk who introduced us to Lewisham Council who in turn generously. Gave us permission to fly from the site.
Our aim was to produce an example of 3D Photogrammetry.
We decided on a location that was the old chapel on the grounds.
Using drones for photogrammetry.
The methodology behind 3D Photogrammetryis obtaining still images at various points around an object (the chapel). Luckily for us, we had a decent space (a few close trees. But the generally open area to encircle the chapel.
Once we had set up an orbit flight path around the chapel. We then proceeded to take regular photos every 1 or 2 seconds. Whilst the drone took a pre-determined path. This would enable us using the software to compute what’s called a point cloud (a set of data points in space)
Using the software a point cloud would be generated. Which would, in turn, create a 3D model of the chapel from the 2D stills images of the camera of the drone.
Building a 3D model is a good historical record of any subject (a face, sculpture, art) or building.
3d Photogrammetry with drones
Depending on photographic resolution (the camera's specification with regard to resolution) determines the amount of detail. You can achieve this in the final model.
Once the data has been interpreted and a model generated. It can export from the software in various 3D formats (files) that can use. For example to create a 3D model using a 3D printer.
Alternatively, the model could be transcoded into a video editing package for use in a film or perhaps other media projects.
Many cameras on drones also collect the GPS data for each still frame. So there is a possibility of integrating the model using google maps.
Another example of 3D integration from Central London:
this example shows the front elevation of a London Townhouse again. This is a good historical record of any location note that. We did not require a full 360 of the subject as this would have been a very awkward location to photograph all around.
But it shows the compliance of a drone at any location.
Further reference see integrating 3D models with Google Earth:
https://help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup/viewing-your-model-google-earth
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There are a number of reasons why you might require the use of a drone. Whatever your requirements, if you choose for hiring a survey drone pilot then you will need to make several considerations in order to determine whether they are reputable and trustworthy.
So take a look at these ten tips and select the right pilot for the job in hand.
Operating an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) drone requires pilots to carry relevant certifications. Here in the UK it is the PfCO, Permissions for Commercial Operations, issued by the CAA, Civil Aviation Authority. In other countries this varies significantly. Therefore, it is important that the drone pilot is licensed to work in your country. And has a clear understanding of all local and national drone safe regulations.
They will need to have the correct level of liability insurance in place and that means that you will need to see proof. (Using a PfCO certified pilot a declaration is made they carry the most suitable insurance. This will ensure that they are covered for any damage to persons and property in the event of an accident. They should be able to carry out a risk assessment as part of the project brief and depending on your assignment. The level of insurance they have might need to be adjusted.
on site surveys and photographs helidronesurveys.co.uk
The type of project you are carrying out will depend on the type of drone pilot you choose. Therefore, you will need to make sure that they have experience in working on similar projects in the past. You need to ensure that they can meet the specifics of your project and meet your expectations. They should have a portfolio that showcases their work as well as reviews and references. All of which will help you to make an informed decision.
Before any kind of drone flight, the pilot should carry out a risk assessment in advance. This will ensure that the work can be carried out in a safe and controlled manner. You can ask them if any assessments that they have completed for other projects. Including similar risks that could become apparent in your project. They will need to ensure that the safety of the public and persons is paramount. As well as any other aircraft will be operating in the area at the time.
NOTAMS : A notice to airmen (NOTAM) is a notice filed with an aviation authority to alert aircraft pilots of potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the safety of the flight. Or NATS - NATS Holdings, formerly National Air Traffic Services and commonly referred to as NATS, is the main air navigation service provider in the United Kingdom. It inherited the traditions of UK air traffic control, which (founded over Croydon Airport) was the world's first air traffic control regime.
Even though a risk assessment has been carried out, you should always double-check. This is a serious part of the process and carrying out due diligence is absolutely vital. Until a Pilot is on site and has seen the location, its never fully understood, even though Google maps does a great overall search of the location, theres no substitution for being at ground levels on site...You will need to know 100% whether there are any small potential risks that are worth considering and make sure that nothing has been overlooked.
drone operator london, drone surveying qualifications for hiring a survey drone pilot.
Obviously, you must always use qualified pilots (it is illegal in the UK for unlicensed pilots to charge for their services. As any commercial pilot will tell you. But there are many people out there who are operating drones without the correct qualifications. Therefore, they should be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority. CAA -so you can go to them to find a list of qualified pilots and also find out when their license expires. Remember that if you use someone who is not registered then they will not be insured. A project is considered a commercial operation if you are using a drone for commercial gain.
Of course, you are going to need a pilot who has experience and is going to get results. As a result, you will need to ask them what experience and skills they have. While many people can master the skill of flying a drone. Having the skills to carry out photography. Filming or mapping is a separate skill altogether.
using drones on site
The reason for asking this is that naturally. You are going to want to make sure they have the right equipment that will allow them to carry out the work correctly. Whether you want to film, take photographs or map an area, they are going to need specific equipment. To add to this, you are going to want to make sure they can deliver results to a high standard. Ask to see examples of their work and if you like what you see. Ask them to put in writing what they can deliver.
on site surveys and photographs helidronesurveys.co.uk
There is every chance that your project will cost a significant amount of money. Therefore, a contract will protect both parties. This could prove to be a crucial aspect of ensuring you have the right pilot for the task in hand. Should something go wrong or if there is a dispute then a contract will be essential. Your contract can include many different aspects such as agreeing to fly the drone in a specific area only. Such as an area that you own and what you expect to receive as part of the service. A contract will ensure that everyone understands what is expected from the project.
After you have determined whether the pilot meets the criteria. It is important to find out when they can work. Therefore, asking this in advance will enable you to prepare. Especially if your project can only be undertaken at a certain times of the year.
Choosing the right pilot is crucial for a number of reasons including safety. Ensuring that they deliver your project and have an understanding of what is required of them. Following these ten tips will enable you to make an informed decision and help you to select the right drone pilot for the task in hand. Drop us a line here at Helidrone Surveys for more information
In a relatively short period of time, drones have become a disruptive technology in many commercial sectors including surveying and agriculture. One key area where these flexible and affordable machines are used today is photo mapping.
With high-resolution cameras and accurate geotagging from GPS data. Once you have the appropriate software it’s now relatively easy to create a photo map of any area of land.
In the past, you would have needed to take aerial shots from a high vantage point or using an aeroplane or helicopter. Even with that, being able to size and geotag those images was limited as was the stitching software being used.
Drones have all but helped solve this problem in the last few years. Carrying high-resolution cameras. They can operate at a carefully controlled height and take individual still images of a location which are then stitched together using highly effective photo mapping software.
If done well, the result is an accurate 2D map of the landscape. More sophisticated drone technology is also now allowing us to produce 3D maps. And the latest sensors allow us to deploy thermal imaging and airborne laser scanning.
Drone mapping uses a process called photogrammetry which allows you to make measurements between objects and produce accurate topographical representations. These maps can be used for a variety of purposes and even imported into platforms such as Google Maps.
The huge benefits of using drones for photo mapping are fairly evident.
First of all, there’s the lower cost involved. Hiring a helicopter or aeroplane to survey an area of land is very expensive. A drone is light, flexible and can get closer to the ground than a traditional aircraft. It can carry in the back of a car or van and operates in almost any location.
With the high definition cameras that are available nowadays. Along with GPS data tracking. Very accurate representations can be obtained in a relatively short space of time and with minimum effort. Essentially, the software does all the heavy lifting for you.
Drone photo mapping is used in many industries and sectors today including surveying, construction, land development and agriculture. It’s also use smaller commercial ventures to create bespoke maps. That can upload to platforms such as Google Maps.
If you are using drones for your business, your options will be between multi-rotor and fixed-wing aircraft. The former is more often used in photo mapping simply because it offers greater flexibility of movement. Multi-rotor drones also tend to come at a lower cost and can take a relatively heavier payload, in this case, the camera.
The key to photo mapping is the software that is used. This needs to be able to create what are called orthomosaic photos in other words. Images that can geometrically correct so that you don’t have any distortion spoiling the map.
A drone will take many overlapping images of a particular landscape. And these are then added into the software which stitches them together in order to form the map. Along with the image itself, a Ground Control Point or GCP is used to render accurate information. This usually consists of a fix base GPS that sends out signals to regularly correct information.
The number of different drone mapping software choices on the market has grown considerably in the last five to six years. Some are relatively easy to use. While others require a good deal of expertise. Here are just a few examples:
If you have created a photo map of a specific location you can also integrate it with Google Maps. Simply head into Google My Maps and click on Create a New Map. This gives you the opportunity to embed your map along with the GPS data in both a KML and GPX file.
Check out an example of HeliDrone Surveys photo mapping. This was using an orthographic mapping technique (CLICK HERE) and zoom in on the building below. Its a great example of integrating Google maps and photo images
See How do Drones help Surveyors from here. Surveyors find themselves operating in a whole range of different sectors including property purchases, land surveys, agriculture and construction. While it’s a profession that has normally remained quite static in how technology is used. Developments in drone technology have made a big difference.
Drones lend themselves to multiple applications whether it’s for. Surveying land or checking over homes and business properties in urban locations.
In the last decade, drones have gone from simple playthings and executive toys to serious disruptors in many industries. You cannot watch a film or TV series nowadays without a few seconds of some drone footage included.
The improvement in technology, especially where High definition cameras and other sensors are concerned. Is having a huge impact, even while the legal complications over drone operation are still being ironed out.
For your average surveyor, a drone is a fairly compact piece of kit to carry around. It can store in the back of the car or van and quickly put into action when needed. Drones are light and flexible and can use to survey everything from a large area of land to individual buildings.
Compared to a helicopter or an aeroplane. A drone is able to fly closer to the building structure and obtain highly accurate images that can use in the evaluation process and report writing.
If you have to get a ladder out and climb up onto a roof every time you do a property survey. It can be pretty inconvenient not to mention dangerous in many situations. The use of a drone, in this case, makes sense. It can implement in next to no time and will cover large areas of a property in a short period. Taking high-quality images which can save and evaluat later.
The speed and accessibility that drones provide also helps to deliver on lowering overall costs. Not only does the survey take less time, there’s often no need for support teams to be included when exteriors are examine.
Survey crews may also be subject to risks, particularly in remote locations. Drones help with reducing the potential for injury and limiting the size of the team needed.
One key area where drones are already being used in surveying is with remote locations. If you have a region that has dense undergrowth or marshland. For example, navigating it physically can be difficult and also perilous. A drone easily accesses these areas and, with the latest sensor technology. Various amounts of data can be collected easily and accurately.
Another mention is the accessibility of buildings and getting into all those nooks and crannies. We can't see unless from above, here a drone comes into its own and the proof is there for everyone to see. Check out this photo - as the roof lights
where quite fragile the surveyor on site needed to see the condition of the guttering surrounding the structure
While drones themselves are proving popular with surveyors. They are simply a method of delivering the right technology to the place. Of much greater interest is the growth in different types of sensor that can deploy in a variety of surveying situations.
As with any operator, surveyors have to comply with the rules and regulations that surround drone technology. Surveyors need to understand the legislation. As it relates to flying a drone in any urban area like a town or city. That includes having the right permissions to operate a drone commercially through the Civil Aviation Authority. Why not ask us here at HeliDrone Surveys to give you a quote
There’s no doubt that drones have proved an important tool for surveyors in many sectors. They are increasingly use for everything from property investigations to more complicated land surveys. Alongside these lightweight machines. The technology that is develop is also having a huge impact, revolutionising many sectors in the process.
The UK Drone Laws surrounding drones has always been a little challenging to understand for beginners. Particularly when it comes to what is allowed and what isn’t. Flying below 400 feet and not going within 50 metres of people and private property are just the beginning. When it comes to drone laws...
For experienced operators, particularly those that use drones for work. There’s a continual wait for the government to publish their latest updates.
New, additional legislation introduced in March 2019 has tighten the law, especially in respect of flying drones near airports. This includes registering devices that are over a certain weight and size.
The growing popularity of drones is all well and good but it doesn’t come without challenges. The mysterious drones that managed to close Gatwick and Heathrow airports last year only serves to remind us that legislation relating. To these devices is still in development and more is yet to come. 
The current consultation has been going on for some while and the UK is not the only country. That is struggling to get the balance right when it comes to drone law. We already have a number of legal requirements that means drones can’t flow in popular areas such as towns and cities. Without permission while there’s also the prickly issue of public privacy when it comes to drone cameras.
If you are using drones in your businesses, the March 2019 changes may create problems. Especially if you have to work within the exclusion area surrounding airports. And, if you aren’t sure where your nearest airfield is. You may unwittingly start flying a drone and open yourself up to prosecution.
Any pilot of a drone will now have to make sure they stay outside a 5km perimeter surrounding an airport, an increase from the previous 1km. This includes a 5km by 1 km extension covering the ends and beginnings of runways to protect planes taking off and landing.
From the 30th November 2019, if you operate a drone that has a weight between 250g and 25Kg. You will need to undertake an online safety test and register with the Civil Aviation Authority before you are allowed to operate it. If you fail to do this after the start date, you could be liable to a fine of up to £1,000 if you are caught.
The police will have their powers extended from November 2019. This comes mostly in light of drone interference associated with airports but is also related to the potential for criminal activity such as flying drugs and other contraband into prisons.
If a drone is thought to have been used in an offence. The police can obtain a warrant to search your property for evidence. They can also now give on the spot fines. If you have committed a minor offence such keeping the drone in Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) or refusing to land a drone when asked to do so.
If you are already an experienced drone operator, you’ll have expected these changes and won’t surpris at the new additions to the law. Most understand that flying too close to an airport can be dangerous to flights. Just be aware that the perimeter has now been increased quite considerably.
Registration and taking the online safety test may give rise to some issues. Neither of these are up and running yet though the CAA says everything will be available by the end of October 2019. How effective this will be remains to be seen.
This is almost definitely not the end of drone legislation in the UK or across the rest of the world. For instance, it seems likely that an age restriction will come in at some point. There’s also talk of developing an app for professional drone users so that they can keep authorities informed of where they are flying and when.
There’s no doubt that the use of drones has increased dramatically over the last few years. They are utilis film companies, tourist boards, surveyors. The agriculture industry and even for delivering packages through companies like Amazon. The scope is set to widen as drones become increasingly sophisticated.
All legislation being introduced has to strike a fine balance between making users. Particularly in respect of commercial drones, more accountable while not impeding their operation. It’s a difficult compromise to achieve and may take a few years yet before it’s fully fleshed out. For drone users, it’s a question of keeping up to date with the latest changes and adjusting behaviour accordingly.
Please have a look at the Governments: Domestic Threat of Drones
from Defence Committee and Science and Technology Committee, on Tuesday 11 June 2019
https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/5a8783e9-e676-4b03-9aa8-e4681491b5d1
there is also a link to the transcript of the meeting
