Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)
Drones, What are they Good for?
December 4, 2017
Peter Keum - WTD GIS Specialist
peter.keum@kingcounty.gov
Just another tool in the toolbox
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Introduction of sUAV
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Regulations - FAA & King County (WTD)
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Application Examples & KC WTD Projects
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small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (sUAV) System
- Economical
- Easy to use
- Quality data collection
- Consistency/accuracy
Why Now?
1. Introduction of sUAV
UAV - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
FAA Definition: Unmanned Aircraft (UA) system that is operated by a pilot via ground control or on-board computer.
UAV Categories
Small
- Size: 1 - 2 meters ( 3 ft - 6.5 ft), < 55 lbs.
- Control: Visual line of sight, Radio control
- DJI Phamtom, 3DR - Solo, Insitu - ScanEagle
Medium
- Size: Equivalent to a car, ~ 1000 lbs.
- Control: Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS) & Beyond LOS, RC & Satellite
- General Atomics -MQ1 Predator
Large
- Size: > 30,000 lbs.
- Control: Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS) & Beyond LOS, RC & Satellite
- Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk ~$222 Million
sUAV as Platform
Multi-rotors
Fixed wings
- Short flight time (< 20min)
- Cover small area
- Highly maneuverable
- Less expensive
- Access to confined spaces
- Long flight time (+ 30min)
- Covers large area
- Larger selection of sensors
Sensors
Multi-spectral
Thermal Infrared
Lidar Camera
High resolution digital camera
Workflow
1. Aircraft + Sensor (Data Collection)
2. Data Processing & Analyzing (GIS)
3. Information Products
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FAA Regulations - Where are we now?
2. Regulations
Commercial/Governmental
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Section 333 Exemption from FAA
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SAC - Special Airworthiness Certificates from FAA
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FAA Small UAV Rule - Part 107, July 2016
Commercial/Governmental
FAA Part 107 Rule, July 2016
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Need FAA Remote Pilot Certification (Pilot license NOT needed)
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As of September 2017 -60,000 active remote pilot certificates
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80,000 individual registered drone since August 2016
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Fly under 400 feet above ground level
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Not to fly < 5 nautical miles around airport
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Aircraft < 55 lbs.
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Fly during daytime
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Fly visual line of sight ( VLOS)
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No flight over non-participating people
FAA Part 107 Rule
King County WTD
"Subject: WTD Policies on Use of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)
Managers/Supervisors: August, 2016
I’d like you to share the following policy guidance regarding the use of drones for work purposes with your staff as appropriate. The guidance specifically addresses the use of drones classified as small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which weigh less than 55 lbs."
- No owning or operating drones by WTD
- Manager/Supervisor review and require Division Director approval
- 3rd Party to meet KC Risk Management requirements
3. WTD Projects
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West Point Treatment Plant Event
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Floating Willow Raft (Brightwater TP)
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West Point Treatment Aerial Photography
WTD Projects
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West Point Treatment Plant Incident Feb, 2017
Seattle Times Headline
March 12, 2017
WTD Projects
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West Point Treatment Plant Incident Feb, 2017
Drone Flights (March, 2017) - Real cause of plume, not overflow
WTD Projects
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West Point Treatment Plant Incident Feb, 2017
Drone Flights = Clarification
Photo from Seattle Times
KC WTD Drone Flight
March, 2017
WTD Projects
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Floating Willow Raft - Mitigation & Monitoring Section.
Purpose: Willow growth shade analysis (1.5 acres)
Flight from May 2017
WTD Projects
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Floating Willow Raft Shade Study
- 4 Flights 2017 : May, June, July & August
- Consultant flys and generate shade analysis & report
- KC staff as an observer and in-house expert to develop work order & product review
WTD Projects
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West Point Treatment Plant Orthophoto
- October 2, 2017
- Over 600 images collected
- High Resolution 0.75 inch/piexel
So Where are we now...
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Need to develop County wide policy
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Administrative Strategy + Technology (enterprise level) strategy needed
- Amass data --> Download --> Analyze
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Various software packages to process captured data (Proprietary & Open Source)
END
for now
Thank You
peter.keum@kingcounty.gov