Working With Drones

Published Sept 11, 2019

Our guest is Mike Rawitch, a Drone Data Analyst & Operations Director at Ramboll!  In this interview, we discuss some of the ways that Mike has been integrating drones into his day-to-day work, bringing innovative methods to mine site restoration projects.  With one of my first commercial drone deployments at an abandoned mine site, I was interested how drone use has evolved on these types of sites.  Ramboll’s Innovation Accelerator brought about Ramboll AI, which has led to the use of drones and imagery analysis on these sites.  This has helped them to increase efficiency, understand sites conditions better, and provide a clear vision for different phases of restoration.  

 

Some of the topics covered in this podcast episode:

* Drones and mine restoration

* Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning and drones

* Multispectral data and reclamation

* State of the commercial RPAS industry in the USA

* Web mapping and 3D modelling with drone data

External website for more info: Ramboll

Enjoy!

Mike Morellato is the lead author and founder of WorkingWithDrones.com.  He works with drones and their data at Strategic in Campbell River, BC (Canada). 

Published August 1, 2019

Our guest is Matt Nanney, who is a Mobile Technology Lead & UAS Manager at AECOM!  After I spent nearly 8 years with AECOM in the Burnaby office in Canada, I thought I would check back in with the company that gave me a great start to my career.  Matt joined me from the Raleigh, North Carolina office – one of many offices at AECOM, a company that spans the globe and has clients in over 150 countries.  We had a good chat about how Matt integrates drones into different types of projects for inspection and mapping purposes.  His diverse background has allowed him to realize the real potential of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems at AECOM, improve efficiency and save time on previously cumbersome tasks.  We also chat about the latest drones they are using and what is next with his office and the drone program there.  

Some of the topics covered in this podcast episode:

* Multirotor inspection drones

* The challenges of building a drone program 

* Using drones in different sectors

* What’s next for drones at AECOM in Raleigh

* The industry as a whole, and where it’s headed

External website for more info: AECOM

Enjoy!

Mike Morellato is the lead author and founder of WorkingWithDrones.com.  He works with drones and their data at Strategic in Campbell River, BC (Canada). 

Published April 10, 2019

Our guest is Didi Horn, who is the Founder and CEO of SkyX!  I caught up with Didi Horn just prior to my deployment to the Solomon Islands for an oil spill response (what an experience!), so I’m a bit late posting this.  It was a great conversation with Didi – we discussed milestones reached and future plans of this Canadian RPAS industry leader, among other topics. We also touched on their SkyOne VTOL fixed wing custom built drone and how it is being deployed in a variety of ways including for inspection of midstream pipeline management. Headquartered in Markham, Ontario (here in Canada), SkyX has made the news recently with its achievements on the west coast, not far from where I live for their BVLOS operations.  I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.

Some of the topics covered in this podcast episode:

* BVLOS trials in Canada

* Long range systems

* Linear corridor inspections

* Charging stations for “unlimited” flight

* State of the commercial RPAS industry in Canada

External website for more info: SkyX

Enjoy!

Mike Morellato is the lead author and founder of WorkingWithDrones.com.  He works with drones and their data at Strategic in Campbell River, BC (Canada). 

Published January 28, 2019

Our guest is Philip Reece, CEO of InDro Robotics!  2019 is going to be an exciting year in the drone world.  Companies like InDro Robotics, headquartered here in British Columbia, add to that excitement.  I had an great chat with Philip Reece, who opened up about what has made InDro Robotics excel in the drone services field and what his vision of the company is going forward.  InDro has been operating Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) for years, and has been part of several unique, extended flight operations.  There work spans a number of sectors and their custom solutions are plentiful.  I hope you enjoy our discussion! 

Some of the topics covered in this podcast episode:

* Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Canada

* Complex flight missions

* Canada’s new drone regulations

* Hybrid systems and long-range flight

* Niche operations vs. servicing numerous sectors

External website for more info: InDro Robotics

Enjoy!

Mike Morellato is the lead author and founder of WorkingWithDrones.com.  He works with drones and their data at Strategic in Campbell River, BC (Canada). 

Published December 11, 2018

Our guest is Kwasi Perry, who is the Founder of UAV Survey Incorporated!  I enjoyed chatting with Kwasi, who has been active with unmanned aircraft in the commercial sector for years now, serving clients in a variety of sectors.  It was great to catch Kwasi before his trip to the African continent, where he is travelling with a number of different drones to explore business opportunities with UAVs and spread knowledge to individuals on the potential of unmanned systems.  From his experience gained from his UAV survey company to his recent travels abroad, I hope you enjoy the episode.

 

Some of the topics covered in this podcast episode:

* Unmanned Aircraft in Africa

* The evolution of the commercial drone sector

* International drone regulations

* Anti-drone technology

* Tips for new drone operators

External website for more info: UAV Survey Incorporated

Enjoy!

Mike Morellato is the lead author and founder of WorkingWithDrones.com.  He works with drones and their data at Strategic in Campbell River, BC (Canada). 

Published Oct 8, 2018

Our guest is Will Brown, who is UAV Technician at Strategic Natural Resource Consultants!  For this podcast episode, I decided that it was time to bring in a fellow colleague to discuss commercial unmanned aircraft and some of the work that I’m also involved in at Strategic.  I have worked with Will for the last several months at Strategic (he recently joined our staff) and he has been a great addition to Strategic’s UAV program. 

Will and I just finished a busy summer of UAV fire scanning, and have completed a variety of UAV surveys together as well.  Will brings his aviation knowledge and a diverse professional background to our program, including many years living up north in the Yukon territory. 

Some of the topics covered in this podcast episode:

* Wildfire hotspot mapping with drones

* Custom vs. out-of-the-box solutions

* Evolution of commercial UAV work

* Multirotor and fixed wing platform strengths

* Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) advantages

External website for more info: StrategicUAV.ca

Enjoy!

Mike Morellato is the lead author and founder of WorkingWithDrones.com.  He works with drones and their data at Strategic in Campbell River, BC (Canada). 

Published July 24, 2018

Our guest is Eric Andelin, who is UAS Program Manager at Wantman Group, Inc!  It’s always nice to connect with professionals that are GIS and mapping experts first prior to entering into the world of UAVs, following a similar path to my own.  On this episode I speak with Eric Andelin, who brings 35 years of experience in the mapping realm, including knowledge in the areas of: survey, aerial photography, photogrammetry and laser scanning.  We discuss a wide range of topics, from Eric’s experience in the world of traditional aerial photography to new drone uses, and where the UAS industry is heading.

Some of the topics covered in this podcast episode:

* From full scale aerial photography to UAS capture

* LiDAR vs. UAV photogrammetry

* Sectors seeing the most disruption from drones

* Advances to drone regulation in the US

* ASPRS certification: Certified UAS Technologist

External website for more info: https://wginc.com/geospatial/

Enjoy!

Mike Morellato is the lead author and founder of WorkingWithDrones.com.  He works with drones and their data at Strategic in Campbell River, BC (Canada). 

Published May 27, 2018

Our guest is Dr. Gregory Crutsinger, who is the Founder of Scholar Farms!  It was great to chat with Gregory, who is an ecologist that has combined his interest and knowledge of plant science with the world of remote sensing and unmanned aircraft systems.  Following his tenure as an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, he has had the chance to work with leading companies in the UAV space, including Parrot, Pix4D and 3D Robotics.  He has since founded Scholar Farms, helping others to integrate drones and assess vegetation and crops, whether it’s for agriculture, forestry, or environmental applications (e.g. restoration).  I’m sure you will find some useful info to take home from our discussion, whether you are new to drones or have been using them as a tool for years.

Some of the topics covered in this podcast episode:

* Vegetation mapping 

* Multispectral sensors

* Getting started with drones on the farm

* Useful applications of UAVs in agriculture

* UAV tips and training for those in plant-related industries

External website for more info: ScholarFarms.com

Enjoy!

Mike Morellato is the lead author and founder of WorkingWithDrones.com.  He works with drones and their data at Strategic in Campbell River, BC (Canada). 

Published May 9, 2018

Our guest is Oisin McGrath, who is the Co-Founder & CEO at DroneSAR!  Oisin has a background in Aeronautical Engineering (University of Limerick), as well as being a trained pilot who operates as a cadet pilot with the Irish Air Corps.  He also serves as a helicopter instructor in the Policing and Security squadron with the Irish Air Corps.  Oisin is also involved with iFly Technology, Ireland’s leading unmanned aviation resource where he serves as Chief Ground Instructor.  DroneSAR, the software which is the focus for much of our discussion, has recently won the Humanitarian award at the AUVSI XCELLENCE awards held recently in Denver, Colorado. 

Some of the topics covered in this podcast episode:

* DroneSAR, the search and rescue drone app

* Advice for those using drones for SAR applications

* Live feed from drone to command post

* What3Words – that other coordinate system

* Experiences from drone search operations

External website for more info: https://dronesarpilot.com/

Enjoy!

Mike Morellato is the lead author and founder of WorkingWithDrones.com.  He works with drones and their data at Strategic in Campbell River, BC (Canada). 

Published April 4, 2018

Our guest is Chris Fleming, who is the CEO with Cyberhawk Innovations!  Chris has a extensive background in the oil and gas industry, including inspection services on offshore oil platforms.  His work has taken him all over the world, and he has now put his expertise to work with Cyberhawk, a world leader in drone-based inspection services.  In addition to offshore platforms, Cyberhawk has used drones to inspect flare stacks, wind turbines, and transmission infrastructure to name a few.  Cyberhawk is also invested on developing practical software tools for their work as well, and have launched iHawk to help them stay efficient and connect captured data with staff on the ground.

Some of the topics covered in this podcast episode:

* Advice for those new to the commercial drone industry

* High risk UAS inspection environments

* What Cyberhawk looks for in their drone pilots

* The types of drones that they use in demanding environments

* Details on the software that they use during drone inspections

Enjoy!

Mike Morellato is the lead author and founder of WorkingWithDrones.com.  He works with drones and their data at Strategic in Campbell River, BC (Canada).