Conference Information:

 Multiple experts shared insights on how they use drone survey data to monitor construction progress and changes in the earth’s grade. Aerial photogrammetry and lidar were showcased for bringing value to large- and small-scale DOT projects, highlighting the costs and times savings by having these drone captured images. These details were fully explored across and as part of across multiple tracks at Commercial UAV Expo this year, highlighting how drone surveys hold their value and relevance in fields like construction, energy and utilities, and infrastructure.

Drones are now playing a pivotal role on construction sites, and sessions in the Construction Track were packed with important case studies and workflows. Attendees heard insights directly from construction companies who utilize drones on their sites and learned how to navigate through complicated construction zones, what specific safety precautions are necessary, and how to detect gas and water leaks with a drone. Later in the day, speakers dove deeper and discussed how to set up the best drone workflow for construction projects. With perspectives from both drone service providers and end users, attendees gained insights on how integrating drones into construction sites directly translates to efficiency and safety on site.

Continuing on the theme of workflows, the following day included a session on a key question: How accurate are drone-based measurements? A large focus was put on how to tell if collected data is accurate and how to perform quality assurance of that data before it is presented to the client. Many users, including the session speakers, rely on the ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data. The final session got the audience thinking about new ways that drones will mitigate risks on sites by conducting inspections in dangerous areas or just by capturing data that will allow site managers to assess risks and dangerous areas before crews are put in harm’s way.

As climate change greatly effects our weather events, drones are in high demand to step in disaster response relief. The first session in the energy and utilities track covered this important topic. Attendees heard directly from major utility companies such as Florida Power & Light, Southern Company, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern Company to hear how these groups are leveraging drones to assess damages to powerlines and roadways after major storms.

Attendees learned first-hand how using drones in these efforts reduces risk for crews and how they allow utility companies to identify areas that were affected the most, giving them an idea of which areas to address first after a major storm.

Attendees heard from infrastructure owners on what their biggest pain points are this year, and surprisingly, its not just on the regulations side. Speakers highlighted the many challenges they face after getting their waivers approved. Learning to tackle workforce training with such new technologies has been on the forefront of integrating drones into inspection jobs. One session honed in on this issue and discussed what steps to take to solve this and to scale up your remote operations drone program.

Speakers from Skydio and Pacific Gas and Electric gave detailed case studies sharing how their teams have worked together to efficiently inspect and maintain areas after storms and within a nuclear facility. Each session in the infrastructure track focused on the same bottom line: how can we use drones to create a safer workplace for crew on the ground.

The Drone Pilot Hub was launched this year and had packed sessions each day. This hub served as a place for pilots to hear from other pilots, get career advice and learn of what opportunities are out there. The hub kicked off with a large panel discussion led by service providers, pilots, and members of the FAA. This panel and many of the sessions that followed focused on the importance of safety and preparedness, the business side of being a drone pilot, how to budget for drone program and how to get started as a drone pilot.

Discussions around policy started off strong with the Drone Safety Team (DST) meeting led by Dallas Brooks, Wing and Jeffrey Vincent, FAA. The leaders announced their newly minted mission statement, “The Drone Safety Team is an industry-government partnership committed to ensuring the safe operations of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS).” They also identified two new groups within their organization that are dedicated to gathering UAS safety data and one dedicated to implementing a safety management system for UAS operators.

The opening keynote focused on the progress of the FAA Reauthorization Act and how it will bridge the gaps between drone companies and regulators to help UAS operations and scale up commercialization. The keynote closed out with a panel discussion around the state of business where all panelists felt optimistic about the future, one stating that the drone industry is coming up on its “internet moment”.