Peter Keum

GISP

WTD GIS Senior Specialist

Use of RPAS* for Wastewater Treatment Division

June 15, 2023

FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot

Remotely Piloted Aircraft System

CUGOS

Summary of KC Wastewater Treatment Division RPAS Program

People

Technology

Organization

RPAS Program

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)

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

WTD RPAS Dashboard

2021

June - Dec.

2023

Jan. - May

Number of Flights

2022

Jan. - Dec.

June 2023

Three FAA Part 107 Drone Certified Pilots - WTD GIS Specialists (Jim, Patrick, and Peter)
Helping other departments to stand up their own RPAS programs