Peter Keum
GISP
WTD GIS Senior Specialist
Use of RPAS* for Wastewater Treatment Division
August 10, 2024
FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot
Remotely Piloted Aircraft System*
So Let's Dive into the program
RPAS - Remotely Piloted Aircraft System
FAA Definition: Unmanned Aircraft (UA) system that is operated by a pilot via ground control or on-board computer.
-
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
FAA Part 107 Rule *
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)
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
credit: Esri
GIS Integration
Drone
GIS
Great Combo?
&
Great combo !
GIS & DRONE
Why Use Drones?
3 E's
-
Easy
-
Efficient
-
Effective
Why Use Drones?
Easy - Simple with little effort
Efficient - Results without waste
Effective - Producing Results
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 & $$
Why Use Drones?
South Treatment Plant
Primary Division Channel
2. Efficient - Results without waste
Why Use Drones?
2. Efficient - Results without waste
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
August 2022
March 2022
April 2023
- Update 2D aerial map
Examples - Effective
- 1172 Photos
- 0.57in/px
- Update 2D aerial map
Examples - Effective
0.57 in/px
Sept 2023
3.0 in/px
2023 KC Aerial
- Construction Site Monitoring
Examples - Effective
Summary of KC Wastewater Treatment Division RPAS Program
People
+
Technology
+
Organization
=
RPAS Program
King County WTD
August, 2016 - Approved of using 3rd party drone operator (ORM & PA)
April, 2021 - "permissible to operate drones indoor or in confined spaces for specialized uses, like inspections." - Offie Of Risk Management (ORM)
June, 2021 - Approved to Started RPAS Pilot Program in WTD
November 2023
- Four FAA Part 107 Drone Certified Pilots - WTD GIS Specialists (Jim, Patrick, Joe, and Peter)
- Helping other departments to stand up their own RPAS programs
Joe
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
WTD RPAS Dashboard
2021
June - Dec.
2023
Jan. - Nov.
Number of Flights
2022
Jan. - Dec.
+ 480 %
Future Success (personal view)
Post Graduate
GPT
General Purpose Technology NOT ChatGPT
Steam Engine
Electricity
GPT
1. Aircraft + Sensor (Data Collection)
2. Data Processing & Analyzing (GIS)
3. Information Products
=
+
GPT?
GPT?
GPT?
Information Products
+
=
YOU
Four C's
Critical
Thinking
Communication
Creativity
Collaboration
Where are we now?
Where are we heading?
Let's go find solution
Washington GIS Association Drone Special Interest Group
- Email Sign-up
- Resources
- Every 3rd Thursday
- ZOOM Meeting
- 165 Members
peter.keum@kingcounty.gov