Do you know when drones were invented?
The first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was developed by the British during World War I in order to spy on enemy troops.
But the company that started commercializing drones was none other than Amazon in 2013. Amazon wanted to use drones to deliver products ordered by customers in just 30 minutes.
The commercialization of drones paved the way for their use in various other areas such as agriculture, filmmaking, and even in the construction industry.
The potential for drones in construction companies is great. They can be used for tasks such as surveying land, taking photos and videos of progress, and even delivering materials to hard-to-reach construction sites.
If you’re thinking about using drones in your construction business, there are a few things you need to know first. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover the basics of using drones in construction, including:
So read on to find out everything you need to know about using drones in your construction business!
There are two main types of drones: fixed-wing and rotary-wing.
Source: joav.com
Fixed-wing drones are heavier and require more space to take off and land. They’re also more stable in the air, making them better for tasks that require precision, such as surveying.
Source: guide.directindustry.com
Rotary-wing drones are more agile and can take off and land in smaller spaces. They’re better for tasks that require more flexibility, such as taking photos and videos.
Source: propelleraero.com
RTK stands for Real-Time Kinematic and PPK stands for Post-Processed Kinematics. In short, these refer to the positioning systems used by drones to capture accurate data.
If you’re using drones for surveying, it’s important to choose a drone that is equipped with RTK/PPK. This will help ensure that the data you capture is accurate and precise.
Drones equipped with RTK/PPK are more expensive than those without, but they are worth the investment if you’re serious about using drones for surveying.
They are particularly useful in construction surveying as they can provide centimeter-level accuracy, even without ground control points.
This is important for tasks such as measuring stockpile volumes, calculating cut and fill slopes, and determining as-built elevations.
When choosing a drone for your business, you need to consider what tasks you’ll be using it for. If you’re just starting out, it’s best to choose a rotary-wing drone, as they’re more versatile and easier to learn how to use.
If you’re mainly going to be using your drone for surveying, a fixed-wing drone would be a better option.
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates the use of drones.
As a construction company manager or owner, you need to get a commercial drone license from the FAA if you want to use drones for business purposes. The licensing process includes taking a written test and passing a background check.
You also need to register your drone with the FAA. You can do this online, and it only takes a few minutes.
In addition to the FAA regulations, there are also state and local laws that you need to be aware of. For example, some states have laws that prohibit drones from being flown over certain areas, such as airports or prisons.
Be sure to check the laws in your state before using drones in your business.
Drones have a lot of benefits for a construction manager, such as saving on construction costs, time, and even lives.
But using them effectively for your construction site takes some planning. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
What tasks do you want the construction drones to accomplish?
Do you want to use them for surveying, taking photos and videos and collecting visual data, or delivering materials?
While investing in multiple drones may be tempting, it’s best to start small and expand your program as you become more comfortable with using them.
So it’s crucial to lay out what tasks require drones and which ones don’t. This will help you determine what type of drone to buy and how many you need.
Not all drones are created equal.
For example, if you want to use drones for surveying, you’ll need drones equipped with high-quality cameras and sensors. Data collected from these drones will be used to create 3D models of your construction site.
On the other hand, if you want to use drones for taking progress photos and videos, you’ll need a drone with a stabilized camera. This will help ensure that your photos and videos are clear and steady.
You also need to consider the size and layout of your construction site when choosing a drone.
If your area is less than 200 hectares (500 acres), it can go for a multi-copter. But if your construction site is larger, you’ll need a fixed-wing drone.
Drones are complex machines, and they require regular maintenance.
Before buying a drone, find out how often it needs to be serviced and what kind of maintenance it requires.
You should also consider the availability of replacement parts. If you’re in a remote location, it might be difficult to get replacement parts for your drone.
Once you have your drone program up and running, it’s important to create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for your team.
These SOPs should include everything from how to fly the drone to what to do in case of an emergency.
Creating SOPs will help ensure that your drones are being used safely and efficiently. It will also help you troubleshoot problems and make changes to your program as needed.
If you’re not sure where to start with your drone program, it’s a good idea to consult with technical experts.
There are many companies that offer consulting services for drone programs. These companies can help you with everything from choosing the right drone to creating SOPs.
Consulting with experts will help ensure that you create a safe and efficient drone program for your business.
Investing in new software and technology can be a daunting task.
But if you take the time to do your research and prepare your business, you’ll be well on your way to using drones successfully.
Remember to focus on your most crucial business goals, choose the right drone for your needs, get trained, and create SOPs.
By following the tips above, you’ll be on your way to creating a successful drone program for your construction business.
And if you’re still on the fence about using drones, check out these 8 compelling reasons to use drones in construction.
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