DVIDS-News-USACE drones provide engineers with an empty eye

In March 2020, Geographic Information Systems Specialist Rachel Bird and Project Engineer Ryan Fagan were the first small unmanned aircraft for the district in the open field of the Parklands of Floyd Folk in Louisville, in the engineering department of the Louisville District of the U.S. Army Engineers. Maneuvered the flight of the aircraft system. , Ky.

“What I like about flying drones is that they provide the opportunity to solve problems in real time,” Bird said.

The district’s quad blade sUAS (drone) was used to capture photo and video images during the first flight, but that’s not the only data that can be collected by remote pilot aircraft. Visual inspection, mapping, terrain modeling, high resolution aerial images, energy transfer or thermal images, and other data used for volume estimation are captured using cameras and GPS sensors.

Engineers use the data to safely complete structural inspections of bridges, perform thermal inspections of roofs, calculate debris during emergency operations, and assess land erosion on the banks of streams.

“It’s important to keep technology up-to-date. You can shoot your drone into the air so you can collect, view, and use images and data in unprecedented ways,” said geographer Paul Deatrick. I am saying. Aircraft crew training program manager. “Our program offers new options for traditional reconnaissance, investigation and inspection processes, leading to new ways to visualize and analyze projects for engineers.”

Prior to flight, the mission requires a qualified remote pilot, a visual observer, and a detailed mission plan. To qualify for flight, remote pilots must complete a 4-hour basic UAS qualification course and a 32-hour sUAS qualification course and prove proficient in a USACE Mission Briefing Officer or Air Crew Training Program Manager. .. Visual observers should use the MBO to complete their training.

Visual observers keep the sUAS in sight in the event of communication problems with the drone, while helping pilots avoid dangers such as tree branches, birds of prey and other wildlife.

Mission planning begins with identifying the required data from the drone and determining if it is the best way to collect the data. The remote pilot consults with the customer to develop a mission plan that includes determining the date and time, identifying the mission area, adjusting airspace, assessing risk, and obtaining the required approvals. Mission packets are reviewed by MBO, ATPM and finally approved by the USACEHQ mission approval body.

Recreational use of drones at USACE facilities in the Louisville area is restricted from December 1st to April 1st at certain locations within Lake Buren River, Lake Green River, Lake Nolin River, and Lake Raff River. Drones cannot fly near critical infrastructure such as rocks and dams and are only blown during the day while maintaining the site’s line of sight while the aircraft is in operation. Remote pilots must comply with applicable state law and Federal Aviation Administration regulations, including UAS registration requirements.

The USACE Aviation Program Management Office oversees all aviation activities and is responsible for standards and training.