Exploring the Full Potential of Drone Technology
Date Posted: October 26, 2018
Posted In: Ideas,
From Aviation Pros: by Patti Beck, Director of Communications, Bi-State Development
Drone technology is a hot topic around the country, and here in the St. Louis region, drones are becoming increasingly popular. Industry and city leaders, as well as representatives from construction and engineering firms, utility and mining companies, first responders, photographers and hobbyists gathered on September 26 in St. Louis to learn more about the subject at a forum hosted by St. Louis Downtown Airport and Bi-State Development. Despite the popularity of drones, attendees agreed that we are really only seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exploring the potential uses and implications of the newer technology.
With the capabilities of drones constantly evolving, many businesses and agencies seem to be moving quickly to invest in the latest technology, and some are doing so without fully understanding the challenges and opportunities unmanned aircraft systems can present.
One of the three panelists, Tomislav Žigo, offered insight into both the drone challenges and the opportunities. Zigo is Vice President of Virtual Design and Construction for CLAYCO and he said his company was one of the first in the United States to get permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly a drone over the perimeter of its construction sites. He also mentioned CLAYCO recently created a new company that is providing a piloting network across the country.
One of the biggest challenges he said CLAYCO is seeing is reconciling the huge amount of information a drone gathers on a construction site, adding that a 30-minute mission typically produces between 800 and 1500 images that need to be catalogued for him to extract useful information to share with superintendents, construction managers and project executives so they understand the case for using the drones.