WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:03.439 Imagine a tool that completely transforms how you see the world. 2 00:00:03.520 --> 00:00:05.599 I mean not just giving you a new perspective, but 3 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:10.400 unlocking insights and efficiencies you couldn't even dream of before. 4 00:00:11.640 --> 00:00:13.720 And that's really the power of drone technology we're talking 5 00:00:13.759 --> 00:00:16.199 about today, and we're going deep into how it's just 6 00:00:16.359 --> 00:00:20.719 completely redefining the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. 7 00:00:20.280 --> 00:00:24.839 AEC for sure, exactly, and we're diving into this strategic guide. 8 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:29.000 It's called Drone Technology and Architecture, Engineering and Construction by 9 00:00:29.079 --> 00:00:32.600 Daniel Teller and John Alchild. It's really comprehensive, and like 10 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:34.640 you said, this isn't just about you know, flying a 11 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:38.560 cool gadget around. It's really about understanding how these unmanned 12 00:00:38.600 --> 00:00:43.000 aerial vehicles UAVs are becoming absolutely essential professional tools. They 13 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:45.479 are changing projects from the very start right through to 14 00:00:45.520 --> 00:00:45.840 the end. 15 00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:49.640 Right So our mission today really is to cut through 16 00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:52.000 all the noise, pull out the most important bits of 17 00:00:52.039 --> 00:00:55.520 knowledge from this guide. It's incredibly detailed and you know, 18 00:00:55.679 --> 00:00:58.679 highlight those aha moments, the things that will make you 19 00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:01.479 feel genuinely clued in about how big an impact drones 20 00:01:01.479 --> 00:01:05.239 are having on well everything around us, the buildings, the landscape. 21 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:07.599 So what does this actually mean for you? How could 22 00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:08.560 it change things? 23 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:11.840 Okay, let's get into it. You know, for decades, I 24 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:13.840 think when most people thought about drones, it was all 25 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:16.280 military stuff, wasn't it. Stuff you see on the news 26 00:01:16.760 --> 00:01:19.680 in films. But the journey to how they became these 27 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:22.879 sophisticated tools we use today, that's quite a story. What 28 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:23.879 did that really begin? 29 00:01:24.040 --> 00:01:25.760 Well, it's a fascinating evolution. Really. 30 00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:29.400 Early versions actually go way back to the eighteen hundreds. Yeah, 31 00:01:29.519 --> 00:01:33.120 unmanned balloons, believe or not, for military observation. Then you 32 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:35.079 fast forward to World War One, World War two you 33 00:01:35.079 --> 00:01:37.959 started seeing radio controlled aircraft. But the drones we kind 34 00:01:37.959 --> 00:01:41.319 of recognized today. They really took off in warfare maybe 35 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:45.359 mid nineteen eighties. But the real game changer for civilian 36 00:01:45.359 --> 00:01:48.079 news anyway, was this convergence. It happened in the early 37 00:01:48.120 --> 00:01:50.439 two thousands. You had the rise of hobby radio controlled 38 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:52.760 plans in the nineties, and that met the boom and 39 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:56.000 consumer digital cameras, remember the first one nineteen ninety four. 40 00:01:56.040 --> 00:01:58.640 I think suddenly you could stick a pretty good, lightweight 41 00:01:58.680 --> 00:02:02.040 camera onto a relatively keep reliable flying thing. That changed 42 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:02.920 everything and. 43 00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:07.599 For aec Wow, that convergence was just revolutionary. I mean, 44 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:09.879 we've been working mainly off two D plans forever right 45 00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:13.120 for site design. Suddenly drones let us pull in live 46 00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:17.080 perspective views, interactive three D graphics right into the design 47 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:19.919 process itself. It's not just about getting more data though, 48 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:22.800 it feels like it connects you to the site differently emotionally. 49 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:26.319 Almost when you see a site a landscape from up high, 50 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:29.599 it just clicks. You understand the shape, the connections, the 51 00:02:29.639 --> 00:02:31.719 context in a way you didn't before. I'm thinking of 52 00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:34.840 projects like the Conifer High School sports fields one in 53 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:36.960 the book. You instantly see how it all fits together. 54 00:02:37.159 --> 00:02:39.719 Yeah, and if you connect that to the bigger picture, 55 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:45.000 it really boosts this idea of contextually sensitive design. It's 56 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:47.560 a term we use a lot. Designs aren't just static 57 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:50.680 ideas on paper anymore. You experience them differently right from 58 00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:52.240 the get go. The book shows us really well with 59 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:55.159 the highway station project, seeing a nice wandering short but 60 00:02:55.199 --> 00:02:57.360 then you see the drone photo match. It's the same 61 00:02:57.439 --> 00:03:00.439 detailed three D model, but plus all the real surroundings, 62 00:03:00.520 --> 00:03:04.400 the actual views, which means designs get understood, get communicated 63 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:08.240 within their real living context. That's incredibly powerful for getting 64 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:11.159 everyone on board avoiding costly mistakes down the line. 65 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:14.120 Okay, so, given this huge shift and just seeing a site, 66 00:03:14.360 --> 00:03:18.039 what are the tagible the core advantages driving this? Why 67 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:21.120 are AEC firms adopting drones so fast? What's the first 68 00:03:21.199 --> 00:03:21.759 big hook? 69 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:26.159 Well, often the conversation kicks off with affordability. It's surprising 70 00:03:26.199 --> 00:03:29.639 maybe how low the cost of entry is for firms, 71 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:33.560 especially when you compare it to traditional ways of gathering 72 00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:36.400 data like a good Dji Phantom or a Mavig Pro 73 00:03:36.520 --> 00:03:40.319 drone package perfectly capable for professional stuff comes in around 74 00:03:40.360 --> 00:03:43.599 what eighteen hundred dollars? That's a really accessible investment for 75 00:03:43.639 --> 00:03:44.800 getting such powerful tools. 76 00:03:44.919 --> 00:03:48.159 That does a critical point. Seriously affordable. But okay, beyond 77 00:03:48.199 --> 00:03:50.879 just buying the drone, what about the flexibility? What can 78 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:52.520 they actually do day to day? 79 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:56.000 Ah, that's where it gets really interesting. They are incredibly versatile. 80 00:03:56.039 --> 00:03:58.840 Think about it. Project managers can literally just take one 81 00:03:58.840 --> 00:04:02.120 to a site, visit, reve essential data, and boom integrated 82 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:06.319 almost immediately. Or maybe it's a remote site, an experienced 83 00:04:06.319 --> 00:04:09.520 pilot can guide a local operator through the exact flight needed. 84 00:04:09.919 --> 00:04:12.439 Plus you can swap out different cameras and sensors. You 85 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:16.319 need lightar, multi spectral, high zoom cameras. You can adapt 86 00:04:16.319 --> 00:04:20.199 the drone for all sorts of project needs, surveys, detailed analysis. 87 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:21.800 It's very adaptable. 88 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:23.920 And then there's just the sheer range and access that 89 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:24.920 must be huge. 90 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:28.600 Oh massive drones get into places give you vantage points 91 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:31.160 that would otherwise cause to fortune with planes or satellites, 92 00:04:31.839 --> 00:04:35.600 or even more importantly, avoid really high risk manual inspections. 93 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:38.480 Think about checking the top of a huge oil rig 94 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:41.319 or a big power plant miles of pipeline. You can 95 00:04:41.360 --> 00:04:44.399 do it safely from a distance, keep workers out of 96 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:48.079 dangerous situations. That's a huge plus. And the data isn't 97 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:50.879 stuck in a silo either. That's what's really key. It 98 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:54.160 merges so easily into the workflows people are already using. 99 00:04:54.360 --> 00:04:58.000 You get instant analysis, elevation data, topography, stuff that used 100 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:00.759 to take days or weeks. It's simplified. Getting things into 101 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:04.279 three D models for renderings, for design checks. Software like 102 00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:07.759 Picks forty desktops for instance, makes processing this stuff pretty seamless, 103 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:09.759 less hassle, faster insights for the whole team. 104 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:12.680 Absolutely, And that looks back to something you mentioned earlier safety. 105 00:05:12.720 --> 00:05:14.240 That seems like a fundamental shift. 106 00:05:14.439 --> 00:05:17.040 It really is. Yeah, for so many industries, drones are 107 00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:20.279 changing how work gets done by just keeping people safe, 108 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:24.160 whether it's those high roof inspections or checking out infrastructure 109 00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:27.040 and tricky spots, you get the information you need without 110 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:27.959 putting anyone at risk. 111 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:30.920 Definitely, and it's not just for one specific task. You know, 112 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:35.160 drones are useful across the entire project cycle. Every phase. 113 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:40.800 Take writing a proposal, imagine including actual aerial footage, maybe 114 00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:44.639 some videos, initial graphics like those annotated bird's eye shots 115 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:48.000 for the Frisco Colorado Marina project. They mentioned. It instantly 116 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:50.519 shows you know the site you're committed, makes a huge 117 00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:51.240 first impression. 118 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:54.399 And then for the actual proposal interview, those high stakes meetings, 119 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:57.199 we've already flown the site and have photogrammetry, having that 120 00:05:57.240 --> 00:06:00.600 three D model, the photos, the video, that's an incredible 121 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:03.519 analysis tool, a presentation tool. It just sets you apart. 122 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:06.519 The book talks about overlaying a hand drawn plan onto 123 00:06:06.519 --> 00:06:10.680 a photogrammetric mesh for a little dry creak that's super impactful, 124 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:13.720 communicates the idea within reality. And then when the project 125 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:17.759 actually starts up, those initial drone images are gold great 126 00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:21.639 for analysis, easy to share with consultants, with clients, gets 127 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:25.959 progress tracking going right away, then moving into concept design, 128 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:29.720 design development. You can merge graphic overlays directly with your 129 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:33.480 three D models. Your CAD info makes presentations for approvals 130 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:36.160 so much clearer that I twenty five and similar. In 131 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:39.279 interchange projects, for instance, they use drone views to show 132 00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:41.759 exactly how the new road fit into the real world, no. 133 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:46.079 Guesswork, and during construction itself, construction administration, this is where 134 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:47.480 it really seems to shine. 135 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:50.360 Oh yeah. Being able to refly the same pre programmed 136 00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:53.439 flight paths, often automatically, it gives you almost real time 137 00:06:53.480 --> 00:06:57.319 tracking cloud software things like Sidaware Precision, HOWK, Trimble Stratus. 138 00:06:57.399 --> 00:07:01.439 They can compare flights, automatically, calculate prog material use, cut 139 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:04.759 and feel volumes with amazing accuracy. It's like a constant 140 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:07.399 feedback loop. You can even tie it into BIM models, 141 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:09.879 into gaunt charts total oversight, and. 142 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:12.040 Even after construction, they're still useful. 143 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:16.519 Immense value, absolutely for long term monitoring, checking site conditions. 144 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:20.560 Is the ground settling okay? Any geohazards like landslides popping up? 145 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:23.879 How's the infrastructure holding up. You can constantly compare the 146 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:27.680 as built reality against the original design intent. That's crucial 147 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:30.759 for managing risk, ensuring success years later. 148 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:36.439 And just for telling the story right. Visual communication, public outreach, fundraising, marketing. 149 00:07:36.720 --> 00:07:39.800 Drone visuals are fantastic for that. Those amazing three D 150 00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:43.879 rendered overlays for the Pike's Peak visitor Center so powerful. 151 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:46.439 Anyone can look at that and instantly understand the vision. 152 00:07:46.600 --> 00:07:49.199 See it in its actual context, really brings it to 153 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:50.480 life for everyone involved. 154 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:53.079 So we keep saying drone data. We know it's photos 155 00:07:53.079 --> 00:07:55.560 and video, but what else? What are the specific actionable 156 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:57.480 things you get? What's the raw stuff and what can 157 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:57.959 it become? 158 00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:00.839 Right? It starts with you know, hiros photos and video, 159 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:05.160 but the real magic often is photographmetry. That's the process 160 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:07.480 that takes a whole bunch of overlapping photos and turns 161 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:11.079 them into well a detailed three D model, orthographic areals 162 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:14.240 like true top down maps and even contour lines. And 163 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:18.439 from that you generate a whole range of super useful deliverables. 164 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:21.480 Okay, walk us through some examples. What are these deliverables 165 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:23.399 and how do people actually use them? 166 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:23.879 Sure? 167 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:26.720 So you can get precise two D and three D 168 00:08:26.839 --> 00:08:30.519 concept overlays. You merge the drone images with your plans 169 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:34.639 or three D models. Makes for really rich contextual visuals 170 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:38.159 like the Badlands National Park plan or that highway station 171 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:41.320 overlay we talked about. You also get detailed three D meshes. 172 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:44.639 Those are basically services made of polygons and classified point clouds. 173 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:47.039 That's where the software smartly figures out okay, that's a tree, 174 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:49.720 that's grass, that's a building, right from the raw data points. 175 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:52.320 The Clear Creek Canyon Bridge project used that for some 176 00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:53.519 really complex modeling. 177 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:56.360 And what about for managing the project while it's ongoing. 178 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:59.320 That's where things like construction analysis over the Internet come in. 179 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:03.519 These cloud platforms let lots of different firms track progress, 180 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:07.360 estimate quantities, measure slopes, all from the flight data, almost 181 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:10.720 in real time. Think about calculating earthwork volumes for a 182 00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:14.519 site like Lions, Colorado. You can do that super accurately now, 183 00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:18.840 and photographmetry can spit out contour lines ready for CAD software. 184 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:21.399 If a surveyor collects the data, it can even be 185 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:24.799 survey grade accurate. Plus you get these high reds orthorrectified images, 186 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:28.919 true plan view aerials, super detailed, perfect for coordination in 187 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:31.679 software like blue Beam or your CAD program. 188 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:33.960 I can totally see the value for measurements. But what 189 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:36.799 about insights beyond just the physical shape of things? 190 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:39.399 Okay, yeah, this is where it gets really interesting. Thermal 191 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:42.559 maps they show you the heat signature of materials in 192 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:46.360 real time. Imagine spotting exactly where an HVAC system is 193 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:50.799 failing on a massive roof instantly, or tracing a pipeline 194 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:53.159 leak from the air problems. That used to mean sending 195 00:09:53.159 --> 00:09:57.279 people in, maybe digging things up expensive sometimes dangerous, or 196 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:02.000 plant health analysis using India VI sensors. Now mostly that's 197 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:05.559 used in agriculture checking crops. But think about the potential 198 00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:09.960 for ecological work assessing how vegetation is recovering after say 199 00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:12.840 a restoration project, measuring its health and spread. 200 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:17.000 That's incredible pinpointing hidden problems, even checking ecosystem health from 201 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:19.840 the sky. And I know you mentioned time based comparisons 202 00:10:19.879 --> 00:10:21.879 saving companies millions. How does that. 203 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:24.440 Work simply by reflying the exact same path over and 204 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:28.399 over again. Companies monitor construction sites with incredible precision. They 205 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:31.840 track progress, spot changes instantly, compare the as built reality 206 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:34.759 against the plan that eighty eighth av open space project. 207 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:37.679 They mentioned they track construction phases like that gave them 208 00:10:37.679 --> 00:10:39.360 a clear, quantifiable timeline. 209 00:10:39.399 --> 00:10:42.519 And speaking of visuals, photo matching that sounds like a 210 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:43.879 huge help for presentations. 211 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:46.159 Oh, it absolutely is. Photo matching means you take your 212 00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:49.000 proposed design, could be a rough sketch, a Photoshop image, 213 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:51.480 a full three D model, and you precisely align it 214 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:55.759 with a drone photo. It gives you unbelievably accurate context. 215 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:58.399 Stakeholders can really see what the final thing will look 216 00:10:58.440 --> 00:11:01.360 like right there in its actual surround. The I ninety 217 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:05.799 Interchange project in Billings, Montana showed that journey beautifully from 218 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:09.080 two D CAD to three D SketchUp then merged perfectly 219 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:13.000 into a real drone photo using Photoshop. Really compelling, and then. 220 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:16.000 The really high end stuff. Drone videos with animations layered 221 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:18.360 in must be complex, but wow they. 222 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:21.000 Are complex, Yeah, but the results are stunning. It's basically 223 00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:24.679 merging your three D animations right into moving drone footage. 224 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:28.720 Needs clever camera tracking, specialized software like after effects maya 225 00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:32.080 threads max, but the result you get this dynamic fly 226 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:34.440 through that shows exactly how a design will look and 227 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:37.639 feel in its environment. Something static image just can't capture. 228 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:40.840 Okay, So let's say you're listening and you're convinced. You're thinking, right, 229 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:43.000 we need to get into this for our firm. Let's 230 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:46.440 talk brass tacks, practicalities, costs, what does it take to 231 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:47.360 get started right? 232 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:50.159 Justifying the investment. Usually it starts with looking at the 233 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:53.840 startup costs. The book estimates a baseline of around say 234 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:57.440 fifteen thousand to sixteen thousand dollars. That typically gets you 235 00:11:57.480 --> 00:12:01.879 the drone itself, essential insurance, and some initial training. Now 236 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:04.679 you want the more advanced software like Picks four D 237 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:08.679 for the photogrammetry processing, maybe Loomion for really high end visuals, 238 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:11.600 then yeah, that initial cost could push up towards twenty 239 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:13.600 one five hundred dollars, maybe a bit more. 240 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:16.559 Okay, that's a decent chunk upfront, but what about ongoing 241 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:18.080 costs year two, year three? 242 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:20.879 That's the good news. The annual costs after that first 243 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:24.440 year drop significantly, usually around forty four hundred forty five 244 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:27.639 hundred dollars plus per year. That covers things like drone maintenance, 245 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:32.000 keeping your licenses, current software subscriptions. So yeah, the initial 246 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:35.440 hurdle is bigger, but operating it becomes much more manageable, 247 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.320 and how. 248 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:39.080 Do firms actually make this payoff? What are the smart 249 00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:41.120 ways to see a return on that investment. 250 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:44.879 There are clear strategies. You can obviously just build drone 251 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:47.799 services directly into your project scope and build for them 252 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:51.919 or included in your proposals. It really highlights your firm's 253 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:55.399 tech skills, gives you an edge over competitors, and it 254 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:59.200 genuinely helps collaboration and saves money down the line, Like 255 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:02.600 that thirty ninth Street Greenway project using the drone aerials 256 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:05.159 in Bluebeam save them a ton of time and money 257 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:06.039 coordination wise. 258 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:08.360 And besides the dollars and cents, what about the other 259 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:10.519 benefits the intangibles. 260 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:14.639 Oh, those are huge too, Client admiration, client confidence. It 261 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:18.480 really matters that City Thornton Justice Center project. They apparently 262 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:20.960 won the job because they showed they could use drones effectively. 263 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:23.399 It just gives you a clear competitive advantage in a 264 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:26.679 crowded market, and importantly, it often less you start the 265 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:29.840 design process earlier. You're not always waiting weeks for a 266 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:33.720 traditional survey crew. That speed could be a massive differentiator. 267 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:36.759 That definitely makes a strong case. But okay, with any 268 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:40.000 tech like this, especially stuff that flies, training and permissions 269 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:43.919 are obviously critical. What do people absolutely need to operate 270 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:45.080 commercially right? 271 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:47.919 The big one in the US is the FAA's Remote 272 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:51.200 Pilot Certificate. Everyone calls it the Part one zero seven license. 273 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:55.440 It involves maybe forty hours of studying the rules, air safety, weather, 274 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:57.440 that kind of thing, than one hundred and fifty dollars 275 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:59.360 exam and you have to renew it every two years 276 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:02.279 to stay current. But the license is just the start. 277 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:05.879 You absolutely need to budget time for software training, getting 278 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:08.799 good with picks four D drone deploy that takes time, 279 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:11.759 and maybe even more advanced stuff like RTK or GPS 280 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:16.840 drones for super high accuracy and permissions. While getting authorization 281 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:19.559 often doesn't cost money directly, the time it takes can 282 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:23.279 be significant. Researching airspace, getting clients sign off, dealing with 283 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:27.399 municipalities federal agencies. The book mentions what sixteen hours just 284 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:29.960 for flights and Bedlands National Park, or eight hours near 285 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:32.480 an airport and billings. It adds up. It's not trivial. 286 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:35.080 So it's the license, the software skills and navigating the 287 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:38.080 permissions mayze okay, So when you're actually choosing the gear, 288 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:41.639 what drones come recommended. What features really matter for. 289 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:44.879 That sweet spot of affordability and capability. The book points 290 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:47.559 heavily to the Dji Phantom series like the Phantom four 291 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:50.120 pro v two and the Mavic Pro series, maybe the 292 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:54.039 Mavic two Pro great all rounders. If you need higher 293 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:57.320 end capabilities, more payload options, then you look at the 294 00:14:57.320 --> 00:15:00.679 Inspire or Matrix series, And if you need that top 295 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:04.279 tier GPS accuracy, there's the Dji Phantom Martik, but that's 296 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:06.879 a bigger investment, like six thousand to ten thousand dollars. 297 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:12.159 Maybe key features you absolutely need. Accurate hovering is crucial. Stability, 298 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:16.480 especially in wind, quick responsiveness, A quality gimbal is non 299 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:19.840 negotiable for smooth data, good camera four K is pretty 300 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:22.639 standard now. Smart battery management is important too. You want 301 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:25.840 decent flight times and definitely compatibility with third party apps 302 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:28.759 for planning those automated flights. And something fascinating they mentioned 303 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:31.720 is systems like Air Data UAV. They can actually attract 304 00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:34.240 the health of individual battery cells, tell you if one's 305 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:37.480 degrading long before you'd notice. That's pretty critical for safety 306 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:38.279 and reliability. 307 00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:41.200 It really sounds like a whole digital ecosystem supporting these flights. 308 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:44.000 What are the must have apps and desktop software. 309 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:46.200 You're spot on. The software is just as vital as 310 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:48.960 the drunk itself. On your phone or tablet, you need 311 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:52.519 flight planning and awareness apps like Airmap, sky Vector, maybe 312 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:56.320 UAV Forecast for weather. Then your actual flight control apps 313 00:15:56.480 --> 00:16:00.000 like dji go or maybe lichy for smoother video shots 314 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:04.440 in pre programmed paths. For the automated photogrammetry flights, apps 315 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:07.399 like maps Made Easy, map Pilot, Picks four y Capture 316 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:10.759 or drone deploy are standard, and even on demand insurance 317 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:13.519 apps like VeriFly or SkyWatch can be really useful for 318 00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:16.799 specific jobs. Then back on the desktop, you need your 319 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:21.200 photo editing Photoshop, usually video editing maybe Camtasia Premiere pro 320 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:24.360 after effects. But the real heavy lifting for processing all 321 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:27.200 that data, that's the robust photogrammetry software like Picks four 322 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.200 D or metashape. 323 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:31.200 They're the work horses, and I bet processing gigabytes of 324 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:33.440 photos takes some serious computer horse power. 325 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:38.720 Oh definitely. Your computer hardware makes a huge difference CPU GPU, 326 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:42.559 the graphics card, RAM, fast storage. They all impact how 327 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:45.440 quickly you can process these massive data sets. A good 328 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:48.919 photogrammetry workstation you're probably starting around three thousand dollars maybe more, 329 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:51.360 and you really want to max out the RAM and 330 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:54.360 get top tear components. It's not somewhere you want to skim. 331 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:57.679 Okay gear software license check. But what about the actual 332 00:16:58.200 --> 00:17:00.559 rules of the sky that feels like it's always changing. 333 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:03.360 What's the basic legal framework and what are some tricky bits? 334 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:05.960 Yeah, the FAA is part one of seven rules are 335 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:08.519 the foundation in the US. Key things are keep the 336 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:11.799 aircraft under fifty five pounds usually flying what's called Class 337 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:16.920 G airspace uncontrolled airspace. Critically, always maintain visual line of 338 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:19.200 site BOS. You have to be able to see the drone. 339 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:22.559 No flying directly over people or moving traffic, and stay 340 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:25.799 under four hundred feet above ground level. Generally, the LANC 341 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:28.480 system is a big help now for getting automated authorization 342 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:31.440 to fly near many airports, which simplifies things a lot, 343 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:34.480 but it can still be a patchwork state and local 344 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:37.799 rules get complicated. Often they can only really regulate takeoff 345 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:40.119 and landing on their own property, not the airspace itself. 346 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:43.920 Creates confusion, and then DJI has its own system geozones. 347 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:46.839 It's like an internal geofence. It might restrict you flying 348 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:49.519 your airports or sensitive sites, and you might need to 349 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:52.680 go through an unlocking process with DJI, which often also 350 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:55.440 requires you have the proper FAA authorization too. 351 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:58.200 So lots to navigate legally. What about protecting yourself? 352 00:17:58.240 --> 00:18:01.920 Your business insurance? While the FAA doesn't strictly require it 353 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:04.960 for Part one oh seven, general liability insurance is something 354 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:08.720 every professional user should absolutely have. It's just smart business 355 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:12.720 and documentation. Always always carry your remote pilot certificate, your 356 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:16.480 drone registration papers, proof of insurance, and any specific FAA 357 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:18.559 waivers or authorizations you have for that flight. 358 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:21.799 Keep it all together right, and finally, boots on the 359 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:25.240 ground or rather drone in the air. What are the 360 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:28.920 best practices that flying mindset for staying safe and getting 361 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.599 good results? 362 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:32.359 It really starts before you even take off. Pre fly 363 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:35.839 planning is everything. Know your mission, check your aerospace, check 364 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:39.400 your weather, check your equipment, know your drone inside and out. 365 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:42.119 Before you launch, always do a quick control check at 366 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:45.480 low altitude maybe ten fifteen feet, make sure everything responds correctly. 367 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:48.240 Be super aware of your flight area, use your app's 368 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:51.720 altitude distance from home, but also maybe even physically mark 369 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:54.519 boundaries on the ground if needed. Perspectives from the air 370 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:56.960 can trick you. Maintaining that visual line of sight is 371 00:18:57.039 --> 00:19:00.119 absolutely key. That's why having a visual observer alongside the 372 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:03.519 pirate is often recommended, especially for complex flights. If you 373 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:08.119 lose sight, hover immediately, don't panic, have emergency procedures planned out. 374 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:10.200 What do you do if you lose radio signal, if 375 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:12.319 the drone starts to fly away, if the battery gets 376 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:15.160 critically low. The book's advice is good, what in doubt, 377 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:19.519 just hover, give yourself time to think. And while automated 378 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:23.759 flights are amazing for consistency, for capturing data precisely, always 379 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:26.720 be ready to take manual control instantly. You the pilot, 380 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.920 are ultimately responsible. 381 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:30.319 It's clear this tech is just reshaping so much of 382 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:32.359 how we build, how we manage the world around us. 383 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:36.680 But what's next, what's coming over the horizon? What should 384 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:38.559 we be watching for in drone tech? 385 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:40.960 Yeah, this is maybe the most exciting bit. What's really 386 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:44.559 cool is seeing drones just as these incredibly versatile platforms, right, 387 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:47.240 they let us put all sorts of advanced sensors, light 388 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:51.480 our thermal multi spectral NDVII into places we can never 389 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:54.759 easily reach before, and way more cheaply and quickly. That 390 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:58.000 adaptability is just unlocking totally new applications. 391 00:19:58.279 --> 00:20:00.759 Like what give us some examples of these ed juices. 392 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:05.119 Okay, so beyond farming those NDVII sensors, people are looking 393 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:09.079 at using them for really detailed ecological studies, identifying plant 394 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:13.319 species automatically, and really complex habitats. We're seeing highly specialized 395 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:17.680 drones doing things like gasleak detection, flying along pipelines, checking 396 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:21.400 industrial sites. Super specialized and yet expensive. Those can be 397 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:24.559 forty thousand dollars fifty thousand dollars plus. And then there 398 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:28.400 are AI companies like a Copgeospatial. They can take aerial imagery, 399 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:32.400 drone or otherwise and automatically generate super accurate cadline work 400 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:37.240 like drawing all the curbs, building outlines, vegetation edges automatically. 401 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:40.480