Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Environmental Applications John Rankin, President, J.R. Canadian Mapping Ltd. 10 th Annual Professional Biology Conference April 23 rd, 2015
UAVs Our System Suitable Sites Data Collection Products Applications Rules and Regulations Questions when hiring UAV data provider Outline
Types of UAVs Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Fixed Wing An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a power driven aircraft, other than a model aircraft, that is operated without a flight crew member on board. -Section 101.01 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)
Types of UAVs VTOL Fixed Wing Speed Slow Fast Range Short Long Take-Off/Landing Area Small Large Turning Distance None Long Flight Direction Any Forward Mechanical System Complex Simple Camera Gimbal 3-axis In Development
Sensors DSLR Camera Thermal LiDAR Others (e.g. Multispectral)
Benefits Safe Data Over Inaccessible Sites Minimal Disturbance Cost-Effective Less Field Time Accurate Variety of Products Snapshot in Time
Pre-programed on the ground and capable of fully autonomous flight from launch thru to landing Can capture roughly 1000ha at 10cm pixel resolution, or 50ha at 1cm pixel resolution in a single flight Accepts a payload of RGB, NIR, Thermal IR, or Hyperspectral cameras
Site Considerations Line of Sight (LOS) Visual and Radio Distance to Buildings/ Persons/Built-Up Areas Terrain Simple or Complex Surrounding Terrain Access
Ground Control
Image Matching
Aerial Triangulation
Products Photography (RGB/NIR)
Products Photography (RGB/NIR) Orthomosaics
Products Photography (RGB/NIR) Orthomosaics Point Clouds
Products Photography (RGB/NIR) Orthomosaics Point Clouds Digital Surface Models (DSM)
Products Photography (RGB/NIR) Orthomosaics Point Clouds Digital Surface Models (DSM) Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
Cottonwood Island Park
Cottonwood Island Park UAV: 0.1 m LiDAR: 0.3 m
Cottonwood Island Park UAV LiDAR
Products Photography (RGB/NIR) Orthomosaics Point Clouds Digital Surface Models (DSM) Digital Elevation Models (DEM) Planimetric Data/Contours
Products Photography (RGB/NIR) Orthomosaics Point Clouds Digital Surface Models (DSM) Digital Elevation Models (DEM) Planimetric Data/Contours Volumes
Products Photography (RGB/NIR) Orthomosaics Point Clouds Digital Surface Models (DSM) Digital Elevation Models (DEM) Planimetric Data/Contours Volumes Stereo Models
Products Photography (RGB/NIR) Orthomosaics Point Clouds Digital Surface Models (DSM) Digital Elevation Models (DEM) Planimetric Data/Contours Volumes Stereo Models Video (RGB/IR)
Applications Planning/Design Reconnaissance Surveys Baseline Data Assessments Inspections Monitoring
Applications Reclamation
Applications Reclamation Volumes Cut and Fill
Applications Reclamation Volumes Cut and Fill Nest Counts Animal Counts
Applications Reclamation Volumes Cut and Fill Nest Counts Animal Counts Vegetation Analysis Habitat Delineation
Potential Applications Beyond Visual LOS Hot Spot Detection Corridor Monitoring Habitat and Range Mapping Animal Tracking Limited by Regulations and Technology
Transport Canada Regulations http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-recavi-uav-2265.htm Exemptions or SFOC
Transport Canada Regulations http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-recavi-uav-2265.htm Exemptions or SFOC Unaided Visual LOS
Transport Canada Regulations http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-recavi-uav-2265.htm Exemptions or SFOC Unaided Visual LOS Ground School Training
Transport Canada Regulations http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-recavi-uav-2265.htm Exemptions or SFOC Unaided Visual LOS Ground School Training Liability Insurance
Transport Canada Regulations http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-recavi-uav-2265.htm Exemptions or SFOC Unaided Visual LOS Ground School Training Liability Insurance Relevant Acts, Regulations, or Laws The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Criminal Code of Canada; Privacy Act; Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act; Customs Act; Trespass Act; Radiocommunication Act; Environmental Protection Act; National Parks Aircraft Access Regulations; Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act; and Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act.
Exemptions 300 ft max flying height
Exemptions 300 ft max flying height 5 nm from forest fires, airports, heliports, aerodromes, or built-up areas
Exemptions 300 ft max flying height 5 nm from forest fires, airports, heliports, aerodromes, or built-up areas Cannot carry dangerous goods or lasers (LiDAR)
Exemptions 300 ft max flying height 5 nm from forest fires, airports, heliports, aerodromes, or built-up areas Cannot carry dangerous goods or lasers (LiDAR) Class G airspace (uncontrolled) Daylight
Exemptions 2 kg or less 100 ft away from people, animals, buildings, structures, and vehicles not involved in the operation 2.1 kg to 25 kg 500 ft away from people, animals, buildings, structures, and vehicles not involved in the operation Notify Transport Canada Ground School Training
Special Flight Operations Certificate Compliant Operator No restrictions except line of sight and certain airspaces (A/B/F) Must meet air space and certification requirements Restricted Operator Simplified Class G 300 ft max flying height 3 nm from aerodromes Complex 400 ft max flying height similar to Compliant but for specialized operations
Summary Max Flying Height Air Class Distance to People/Buildings/ Etc. Ground School Training Distance to Aerodromes/BuiltUp Areas Exempt 2 kg Exempt 25 kg Compliant SFOC Restricted Complex Restricted Simple 300 ft 300 ft Not Specified 400 ft 300 ft G G C/D/E/G C/D/E/G G 100 ft 500 ft 100 ft 100 ft 100 ft No Yes Yes Yes Yes 5 nm 5 nm Meet Airspace Requirements Meet Airspace Requirements 3 nm
What To Ask Type and number of UAVs Flying under an SFOC or exemption Certification Ground school training Radio license Liability insurance Sample data
www.jrcanmap.com J.R. Canadian Mapping Ltd. #314 1717 3rd Ave Prince George, BC, V2L 3G7 250-561-2455