How it works: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)
Estimated timeframe
1849 to present
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones as they are more commonly called, are growing in popularity in the engineering space as an alternative asset inspection tool. Find out what you need to know.
1. What is drone technology
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is another name for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) or drones as we commonly call them. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates the industry in Australia.
CASA recognises that a human is integral to the control of the UAV and so uses the term Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) when referring to the UAV and its ground support equipment and personnel.
Drone technology can range in size considerably. However, for asset management purposes a small fixed wing or octocopter, less than a metre-wide, mounted with a camera will do the job.
2. How can UAVs be used in civil engineering?
The application of UAVs in the public works space is typically in the asset management space where the technology replaces humans in tasks that post a risk to the worker and/or the public.
In addition to the safety benefits, UAVs can speed up and improve the accuracy of asset inspection. Images can be viewed immediately or within 48 hours and the low cost allows for more frequent inspection of assets.
“For infrastructure inspection there is no longer a requirement for Elevated Work Platforms, scaffolding, cranes etc. to be moved to site prior to the inspection taking place,” says Australian UAV Chief Controller Heinz de Chelard.
“A UAV can conduct the inspection and people will only need to gain access to locations where problems have been found using the UAV.”
3. What certification do you need to qualify to fly a drone?
Australia was the first country in the world to regulate remotely piloted aircrafts and regulation is tight. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the industry regulator and all operators must be certified by it.
Drone pilots must first obtain a remote Pilot Licence – Level 1, which permits individuals to fly UAVs under the standard flight operating conditions, for example not above 400ft AGL and not in controlled airspace, etc ...
However, the Remote Pilot licence only allows pilots to fly UAVs for commercial use if they are flying for someone who holds a UAV Operators Certificate, or they hold the certificate themselves.
To apply for a UAV Operators Certificate, you are required to develop three manuals: an operations manual (including risk assessment), a flight manual and a maintenance manual and submit to CASA. You must also complete CASA Form 041.
“The Chief Controller of the organisation must undergo a flight test with CASA after gaining a minimum of five hours flying time on each UAV type to be operated,” says de Chelard. “You must [also] hold appropriate Public Liability Insurance.”
Gaining certification can be far costlier than the initial investment in the drone technology itself.
[ends]
Q&A
PWPro spoke to James Outteridge, Senior Project Engineer - WCS3 Compressor Project, SWQP Program at natural gas infrastructure company APA Group about how the company uses drones in engineering projects.
Q. How have you used drone technology at APA Group?
Every engineer loves gadgets, so there is a keen interest when a gadget has a professional application and provides benefits that support our objectives. The technology was selected as a cost and time efficient way of documenting our construction progress with a side benefit of developing promotional videos of our infrastructure development capabilities.
Q. How did you first hear about drone technology being used in engineering?
After meeting with a service provider and discussing the applications of the technology. Two applications being volumetric estimating when undertaking a 3D ground mapping survey (for earthworks estimating) and the inspection of plant and equipment where personnel access is restricted (planned inspections), i.e. a vent stack or exhaust stack.
Q. What is the drone technology replacing for your company?
Traditionally, aerial photography was either attained by satellite, fixed wing aircraft or a helicopter taking aerial photos. Satellite images are low resolution and these can at times be old images. Planes and helicopters are expensive to operate and any requirement to recapture data would be costly. Drones use high-resolution digital cameras which when rendered together yield a photo with exceptional detail.
Traditionally, surface-based technology relies on theodolites, a GPS and personnel in the field to measure ground contours. In addition, the inspection of plant and equipment above ground level often requires the use of specialist access equipment, either scaffolding or elevated work platforms. Taking away the setup of access platforms for inspections and the actual inspection also reduces potential equipment downtime and reduces safety risks for our team.
The drone can fly over a site, take photos, which are then downloaded and rendered via software on a laptop. This can be a great benefit if there are restrictions with personnel accessing a site, whether it be height or ground conditions.
Q. Would you recommend drones to others?
The cost differential to traditional methods and portability is very attractive. Plus, the real time access to imagery carries benefits.