2015 Issue

66 O VER THE PAST half century, land surveying technology has made multiple quantum leaps. First came electronic distance meters then total stations, GPS, robotic total sta- tions and 3D laser scanners. We are currently on the brink of the next major technological breakthrough. Unmanned aircraft systems (also known as UASs, UAVs or drones) will be the sixth quantum leap in surveying technology. UASs are engineered to help mapping and surveying profession- als work in a more efficient manner. Desired deliverables such as orthophotographs, Digital SurfaceModels, Digital TerrainModels, contours or point clouds can be captured and created in hours in- stead of days or weeks. The fact that survey work is not intervening in the construction or industrial processes on the ground ensures optimal safety for the surveyors. Other advantages such as acces- sibility to difficult terrain and drastically reduced man hours per project provide UASs a quick return on investment. There are two basic types of UASs. Fixed-wing aircraft are opti- mized for longer missions in less optimal flight conditions. Typically powered by a brushless electric motor, fixed-wings can fly up to an hour at a time and can cover many square miles. Multi-rotor helicopters have between three and eight brushless electric mo- tors, and are great for vertical surface inspections and smaller surveys. Generally, multi-rotor copters can fly between 10 and 30 minute missions. Historically, quantum leaps in technology often inspire significant legal concerns. With the multitude of governmental and com- mercial applications of UASs, the United States Federal Aviation Administration has been seeking to incorporate the operation of these systems into the National Airspace System since 2008. The FAA began issuing Certificates of waiver or authorization (COAs) to public agencies that defined (on a case-by-case basis) the intended use, safety measures and locations of UAS flights. Congress then passed the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. The new law directed the Secretary of the FAA to determine whether UAS operations could safely be operated in the National Airspace Sys- tem and if so, to establish requirements for the safe operation of these systems by September 30, 2015. Unmanned Aircraft System: The Next Quantum Leap in Surveying Technology By James Monsen, Monsen Engineering Solutions