A presentation given during the 39th Annual NCPA Concrete Paving Workshop. By Digital Sky

2. WHAT IS
Nebraska’s Most Advanced Drone Service Provider
Global Client-Base, but True to Our Roots
Specialists in Both Creative and Industrial Drone Use

3. WHAT IS A DRONE?

5. DRONES: A BRIEF HISTORY
World
War I
World
War II
War in
Afghanistan
Present
Day

6. THE DRONE EXPLOSION
Technological
Advancements
Lowering
Costs of
Components
Social Media
Drone
Explosion=++

7. DRONES FOR INDUSTRY
Before During After

8. BEFORE THE PROJECT
Aerial Photography for Proposals and Marketing
Aerial Mapping for Planning and Design
Existing Site Features
Topography with Contour Lines
Digital Elevation Models
Collection of 3D Point Data

9. DURING THE PROJECT

10. AFTER THE PROJECT

11. HOW DO I GET STARTED?

12. THEN WHAT?
What types of outputs will be needed?
Do our financials support our needs?
Do we have the skill and knowledge to perform the work?

13. $ $$$
More Skill
Less Skill
Progress
Update
Photos
Marketing
Videos
Aerial
Mapping
Flying Just
to “Take a
look”
Point
Clouds
Pizza
Delivery

14. THEN WHAT? (contd.)
What types of outputs will be needed?
Do our financials support our needs?
Do we have the skill and knowledge to perform the work?
In House or Hire It Out?

15. DRONING ON YOUR OWN
Commercial Drone use is Regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration
”Commercial” is defined as “any time the drone is used to advance
business interests.”
To operate a commercial drone, one must become a licensed remote pilot.
Requires passing $150 proctored exam with a 70%. Pass a background check. Wait for
license in mail.
After that, following all regulations in part 107 is mandatory.
Follow all 43 federal regulations pertaining to drones.
Register aircraft, receive airspace authorization, don’t fly over people, etc.
Fines up to $11,000 per occurrence for not only the person flying the drone, but the company that hires

17. JUSTIN KYSERDirector of Flight Operations
GIVE US A CALL! 402.413.1089 or 402.239.8764
justin@digitalsky.com

18. SUPPLEMENTAL: DRONES + ACCURACY
Relative Accuracy
Also known as Local Accuracy. Can be increased through various image
capture and software methods. Does 1 foot really equal 1 foot?
Absolute Accuracy
Comparison between an actual coordinate system, and the drone map. If a
high level of absolute accuracy exists, gps coordinates will more or less match
up. Can be increased by using ground control and/or RTK based imaging
systems.
Our Experience: Relative Accuracy is easy. Absolute Accuracy of 1-3 cm can
be achieved but is difficult.

19. SUPPLEMENTAL: REPLACING THE WORK OF
SURVEYORS!
Not So Fast…
Drones can do better at supplementing some of the legwork of a survey crew,
but a licensed surveyor is still required if the output from the drone is going to
be used as a legal survey.
We find it best to work in conjunction with surveyors to help obtain the most
accurate data, if that is what’s needed.

20. SUPPLEMENTAL: WHAT ABOUT LIDAR?
PROS
Higher Point Density than image
derived point clouds.
Better quality in areas of dense
vegetation.
CONS
Very, Very, Very expensive to
implement.
Lower flight times when working on
electric driven systems.

21. SUPPLEMENTAL: THE NEBRASKA DRONE BILL
Introduced by Senator Carol Blood
Greatly limits the ability for commercial drone operators to do their jobs.
Would give landowners permission to say “No drones allowed over my
property, or else.”
Preemption of Federal Aviation Regulations.
Doesn’t do anything to “increase public safety.”