November 14, 2025

Peter Keum, FAA Part 107/GISP

King County Wastewater Treatment

Drone Program Lead/ GIS Analyst

WTD Drone Program

We Came, We Flew, We Mapped..

WTD Drone Program

We Came, We Flew, We Mapped..

Peter Keum, GISP

Drone Program Lead/GIS Analyst

Learning Objectives

King County Wastewater GIS/Drone Program
Integration of Drone with GIS
After(SU) life

CUGOS

So Let's Dive In!

King County Wastewater Treatment by Numbers

2 million residents
34 Agencies
424 square miles
383 miles sewer pipeline (2.5 inch to 14 ft)
74 facilities (PS & RS)
3 Treatment Plants: 180 MGD ~ Max. 460 MGD

Seattle, WA --> Medford, OR

WTD GIS Team

10 GIS Specialists
4 FAA Certified Drone Pilots

Supervisor

WTD GIS

Maintain Sewer GIS Data

FIRS (Facility Information Retrieval System) Data
- Maintenance Hole
- Pipes
- Pump Stations
- Regulator Stations
- Treatment Plants
- Outfalls
Flow Monitors
CP Stations
Connection Points
Site Plan Data
3D Models
Drone Collected Data
.... many many more

WTD

GIS

DATA

GIS Data:
The core of a GIS is its Database

BUT.....There are 17 county agencies support

King County GIS Data Library System

WTD

GIS Data:
The core of a GIS is its Database

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

In 2017 = $3

1981 $120,000

2013

$5 - $15

In 2025 = $3 (??) less than $1

Price /Performance
Easy to use
Quality data collection
Adopting Rule by FAA

Why Now?

Cell Phone Technology + Lower $$

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

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

It's just a toy...

2016

RPAS - Remotely Piloted Aircraft System

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

What's in the name?

UAV = Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

UAS = Unmanned Aerial System

DRONE = Dynamic Remotely Operated Navigation Equipment

RPAS = Remotely Piloted Aircraft System

Policy Paper for Civilian Missions

RPAS Categories

Small

Size: 1 - 2 meters ( 3 ft - 6.5 ft), < 55 lbs.
Control: Visual line of sight, Radio control
DJI M3E, M400, 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

FAA Regulations - Where are we now?

Regulations

Commercial/Governmental

FAA Part 107 Rule, July 2016

Need FAA Remote Pilot Certification (Pilot license NOT needed)
~460,375 - Remote pilots certified (Oct. 2025)
433,407 - Commercial Drones Registered (Oct. 2025)
$175 to take the test

Fly under 400 feet above ground level
Not to fly < 5 nautical miles around airport
Aircraft < 55 lbs.
Fly during daytime or night time operation with appropriate lighting
Fly visual line of sight ( VLOS)
No flight over non-participating people
...and many, many more.....

FAA Part 107 Rule

FAA Part 107 Drone Certification

Be at least 16 yrs old
Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge exam
Online recurring training every 24 month

The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)

Understand recreational flying requirements
Take TRUST
Online recurring training every 24 month

Hobby/Recreation

Self register (over 13 yrs old)

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)

Less than 250 grams (0.55 lbs) - No need to register with FAA
More than 250 grams register with FAA $5.00

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)

Two Spaces for Drone

Outdoor

Indoor

Outdoor

GPS Signal
Automated Planning and Flight
Even, Diffuse lighting
Open space

Indoor

No GPS signal
Limits on speed and motion
Manual flight control
Tight spaces

1. Aircraft + Sensor (Data Collection)

2. Data Processing & Analyzing (GIS)

3. Information Products

=

+

1. Platform + Sensor (Data Collection)

2. Data Processing & Analyzing (GIS)

3. Information Products

Drone

GIS

Great Combo?

&

Great combo !

GIS & DRONE

Great combo !

GIS & DRONE

KC Wastewater Treatment Drone Program

People

+

Technology

+

Organization

=

RPAS Program

(drone)

WTD GIS Drone Program

November 2025

Four FAA Part 107 Drone Certified Pilots - WTD GIS Specialists (Jim, Patrick, Joe, and Peter)
Assisting other departments to stand up their own drone programs (WLRD/ SWD/ Local Service/ KCIA/ FMD)