One of the most prevalent revolutionary pieces of technology for photography in recent memory is drones. What makes drones so special is their ability to get a sky view picture of an area whenever needed. Breakthroughs in technological innovation are now extending those capabilities to other fields so that drones can not only take photos and videos but also provide detailed 3D surveys.
Roof Surveying
Drone surveying offers a cost-effective and quick solution for UAV aerial building surveys in comparison to more traditional methods such as scaffolding, platforms or steeplejacks. An additional benefit is that you do not have to worry about the health and safety issues that come with having people working above ground.
Furthermore, you can even stand and watch as the drone flies around to get a real-time visualisation of the exact shots you need.
You can zoom in and inspect roof tiles more closely from the comfort of your own office and on your own time.
The rapid deployment will minimise disruptions for staff and residents and with no additional damage to any property or other surroundings.
Steeplejacks and Abseiling
Drones may never replace the skills of a steeplejack or industrial climbers scaling buildings in order to carry out maintenance. However, drones are now widely recognised as being the first point of inspection and as a valuable tool in accessing hard to reach areas for industrial applications.
Drones can also help save time for skilled climbers by allowing them to prioritise and timetable urgent maintenance tasks.
A Look to the Future
UAV technology over the last few years has been rapidly gaining popularity within the construction sector. However, a need to integrate new tools may mean that uptake can be slower than desired. There is still knowledge to be acquired, examples of drones and how they have aided the improvement of workflows are making this change to the future of construction and architecture a reality. UAV’s offer a cost-effective solution to streamline operations. They increase profit margins as well as improve safety. By adapting how data is gathered and shared on construction projects, it is further driving innovation and offering a wide range of new possibilities for the future of mapping as a whole.
Covid-19 Considerations
Much of the world has been affected by the events over the last year throughout the pandemic. An emphasis on social distancing posed real problems for many industries. This is also true for construction and surveying. However, the ability to use drone technology to carry out construction surveys meant a safer condition for workers. This is as drone use reduces the number of personnel required on-site to carry out ground surveys.
Suitable options
Innovation for drone technology has meant that fixed-wing UAV’s have become increasingly popular for the mapping of large, expansive construction sites. The latest designs are able to carry out longer flight times, have a larger range and mission capability. Fixed-wing drones are also becoming of increased interest for operating in dense, urban environments. Operations can be slower due to regulations surrounding operations over people and restricted airspaces such as airports. However, when they are managed correctly, UAV’s bring valuable data from smaller urban sites and legislation appears to gradually be moving alongside technological developments.
Blakeney Leigh Drone Services
Drones can be incredibly useful where roof access is not possible. They can provide a comprehensive view of not just roofs but also chimneys, gutters, hidden valleys, plant balustrades at a very low cost and without having to close roads.
The drone used at Blakeney Leigh is licenced to fly in built-up areas. As a result of this, the drone used can operate in most parts of London and other cities.
Blakeney Leigh takes pride in taking a professional approach to flying and aerial photography. The pilots, aircraft and operating systems are all licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and carry full third party insurance.
