1. What is it?  

2. How to Use it?

3. Why Use it?

So Let's Dive in!

1. What is it?  

2. How to Use it?

3. Why Use it?

UAV - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

FAA Definition: Unmanned Aircraft (UA) system that is operated by a pilot via ground control or on-board computer. 

RPAS as Platform

Multi-rotors

Fixed-wing & VTOL

• Shorter flight time (< 45 min)
• Cover smaller area
• Highly maneuverable
• Less expensive
• Access to confined spaces

• Long flight time (+ 40min)
• Covers very large area

(vertical take-off & land)

Remotely Piloted Aircraft System

 Sensors

Multi-spectral 

Thermal Infrared

Lidar Camera

High resolution digital camera

• Economical
• Easy to use
• Quality data collection
• Consistency/accuracy

Why Now?

Cell Phone Technology + Lower $$

• Electronic Control System (ECS)
• Accelerometer & Gyroscope Chip
• GPS Chip
• Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Battery
• Motors

Integrated gyroscopic/GPS Chip in 2000's = $10,000

In 2017 = $3

1981 $120,000

2013

$5 - $15

It's just a toy...

It's just a toy...past examples of what used to be

It's just a toy...past examples of what used to be

It's just a toy...past examples of what used to be

It's just a toy...

It's just a toy...

Outdoor

Indoor

DJI Mavic 2 Pro < $1,800

DJI Mavic 2 Pro Ent. Adv ~ $6,500

DJI FPV w/ Modification ~ $1,300

Mavic 3 Ent

~ $3,800

20 MP/ 56x zoom

20 MP

12 MP/ 32x zoom

+ Thermal

1. What is it?  

2. How to Use it?

3. Why Use it?

FAA Regulations - Where are we now?

Regulations

Commercial/Governmental

FAA Part 107 Rule, July 2016

• Need FAA Remote Pilot Certification (Pilot license NOT needed)

• September 2017 -60,000 active remote pilot certificates

• December 2023 - 368,000 active remote pilot certificates

• Fly under 400 feet above ground level

• Not to fly < 5 nautical miles around airport

• Aircraft < 55 lbs.

• Fly during daytime

• Fly visual line of sight ( VLOS)

• No flight over non-participating people

• And many many more...

FAA Part 107 Rule

1. What is it?  

2. How to Use it?

3. Why Use it?

Why Use Drones?

3 E's

• Easy

• Efficient

• Effective

Why Use Drones?

1. Easy - Simple with little effort

Automatic

Repeatable

Flight Control App  

• Automate Flight Planning - Fly Consistently for overlapping images
• Can fly manually but it's like mowing with scissors

Example: Auto flight plan

Result 3D Model

Why Use Drones?

2. Efficient - Results without waste

Safety of staffs

Save Time & $$

Data Processing - Efficient  

• Cloud Storage & Cloud Data Processing
• Flight Planning from Desktop - fly on Mobile (controller)
• Cloud storage/Cloud Processing 
• Centralized System
• Project Deliverables

Why Use Drones?

3. Effective - Producing Results

• Environmental Monitoring

Examples - Effective

Kenmore Twin Springs Mitigation Site

August 2022

March 2022

April 2023

• Update 2D aerial map

Examples - Effective

South Treatment Plant

• 1172 Photos
• 0.57in/px

• Update 2D aerial map

Examples - Effective

South Treatment Plant

0.57 in/px

Sept 2023

3.0 in/px

2021 KC Aerial

END

for now

Thank You

peter.keum@kingcounty.gov