In this episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered," David Young, founder of Drone Launch Academy, sits down with Nate Howard, Survey Manager at Kiewit, to dive deep into the use of drones in construction and surveying. David and Nate discuss how drones are transforming the way construction sites are surveyed, monitored, and managed.
Nate introduces Kiewit, a top-ranked contractor and engineering firm, and shares insights from his extensive experience in the construction world. He explains how Kiewit first incorporated drones using a DJI Phantom 4 to photograph job sites, and quickly realized the potential for using drone photogrammetry to produce detailed 3D maps. Nate highlights the massive efficiency gains, with drones completing work in 45 minutes that previously required multiple crews working over several days.
David and Nate cover a variety of applications for drones on construction sites, including tracking weekly progress, calculating earthwork quantities, enhancing public relations by providing visuals for owners and the public, and ensuring safety by checking slope compliance in excavations. Nate provides real-world examples of these applications and shares the challenges and benefits of integrating drone technology into construction workflows.
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If you want to dive deeper into Drone Launch Academy and level up your drone skills, here are some links to some of the online drone courses we offer:
Part 107 Exam Prep Course-
Drone Mapping and Modeling Fundamentals-
Aerial Video A to Z-
Aerial Photo Pro-
Real Estate Media Pro-
Drone to $1K-
Aerial Roof Inspection Pro-