Drones and Remote Sensing
The small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) or drones industry is relatively new to the public and has been expanding significantly in the past decade. The ability to attach sensors on the platform has unlimited potential. Currently research and development for earth sciences, biology and engineering is establishing critical information that will be valuable to many field industries including but not limited to: land use planning, civil engineering and construction, and agriculture and the real estate industry is near the “tip of the ice berg”. The industry is growing with opportunities for survey and analysis of current conditions for agriculture, infrastructure, the environment and property assessments. The costs are low relative to the information that can be obtained and services provided. The ability to acquire digital aerial photos and multispectral imagery is powerful when good data is collected, processed efficiently, and analyzed to provide quality information required for good decision making. Indeed, acquiring imagery with sUAS involves strategic mission planning, understanding and following current FAA regulations and public safety. Additionally, the person’s experience and knowledge of processing large data sets and performing specific data analysis to fit the client’s needs is vital.