Peter Keum

WTD GIS Senior Specialist

Use of Drone for Project Mgmt- Wastewater Treatment Division

2021

FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot

  • Background information  
  • Use Cases  
  • Project Managment Workflow 

UAV - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

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

1. Background Information

UAV Categories

Small  - $

  • Size: 1 - 2 meters ( 3 ft - 6.5 ft), < 55 lbs.
  • Control: Radio control

Medium

  • Size: Equivalent to a car, ~ 1000 lbs.
  • Control: Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS) & Beyond LOS, RC & Satellite ~ $$$

Large  

  • Size: > 30,000 lbs.
  • Control: Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS) & Beyond LOS, RC & Satellite ~ $$$$

UAV as Platform

Multi-rotors

Fixed-wing & VTOL

  • Shorter flight time (< 30 min)
  • Cover smaller area
  • Highly maneuverable
  • Less expensive
  • Access to confined spaces
  • Long flight time (+ 40min)
  • Covers large area
  • Larger selection of sensors

(vertical take-off & land)

Multi-rotors

  • Shorter flight time (< 30 min)
  • Cover smaller area
  • Highly maneuverable
  • Less expensive
  • Access to confined spaces

 Sensors Payload

Multi-spectral 

Thermal Infrared

Lidar Camera

High resolution digital camera (100 MP)

Lidar Camera

Lidar Camera

Methane Gas Dector

 Sensors Payload

High resolution digital camera

credit: Esri

1. Aircraft + Sensor    (Data Collection)

2. Data Processing & Analyzing (GIS)

 3. Information Products

=

+

 Information Products

Inspection:

Improve Safety, 

Save time, Improve efficiency

FAA Regulations - Where are we now?

Regulations

Commercial/Governmental

FAA Part 107 Rule, July 2016

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

  • 171,744 - Remote pilot certified (2020)

  • 441,709 - Commerical Drones Registered

  • 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

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."

"A drone can be used at any WTD facility; however, staff wanting to use a drone must work with Peter Keum to ensure that the proposed use meets the FAA and local regulations because the regulations vary geographically.... permissible to operate drones indoor or in confined spaces for specialized uses, like inspections."

Update April 2021

Two Spaces for Drone

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

Outdoor

Indoor

DJI Air & Mavic 2 Pro < $1800

Aertos 120 $25,000 +

Eilos 2  $48,000 +

DJI Matrice 300 $12,000 +

Hazardous Condition

West Point TP - Digester

Precision Data Collection 

Example Models 

Denny Regulator Station 

 

Why Use Drones?

  1. Increase Safety for Staff

  2. Avoid hazardous condition

  3. Precision Data Collection

  4. Repeatable & Recorable & Searchable

Standard Drone Workflow

WTD PM Workflow

Memo Template

Simple Payment Template

GIS Products

Drones, What are they Good for?

peter.keum@kingcounty.gov   

Just another tool in the toolbox

Now Let's go collect Data!