Today’s energy and utilities organizations are using drones to capture data that was previously too dangerous, difficult or expensive to obtain. While the full potential of drone technology is still being realized, it’s clear that drones are a must-have for energy companies looking to reduce costs, increase safety and revolutionize their workflows.

Drone technology is revolutionizing countless industries, making it possible for businesses to expand operations, extend reach and capability, and improve operational efficiency.

Whether you run a wind farm and need to monitor your turbines or manage construction sites and want to track progress, you’re probably here because you suspect that drones can help your business thrive. And you might be wondering what you need to know before starting your own drone program.

By Brandon Torres Declet, Chief Operating Officer & Board Director of AgEagle, and President & Co-Founder of Measure.

If your company has gone through the planning, budgeting, and executive decision-making required to bring drones into your organization, then you likely recognize the immense value they can provide. Unfortunately, too many companies fail to properly manage their drone program once it’s up and running and become disappointed when they’re met with disorganization or inaccuracies instead of seeing the results they hoped for.

While drone programs serve a wide range of purposes and differ greatly across industries, what they all have in common are the moving parts that must work in unison to ensure a job is done accurately and efficiently. 

As businesses continue to rely on drones for safety, efficacy, and data collection, it’s important to stay consistent with those values when planning drone flights. Drone flight planning consists of determining flight schedule, pattern, altitude, and image or video capture specifications, as well as any weather-related requirements (e.g. temperature, light, or irradiance limitations), to meet the data goals of your particular job or mission.

As the demand for commercial drones continues to increase across industries, so does the need for drone insurance. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not require insurance to operate commercially in the U.S., most companies require that drone operators provide proof of coverage through a valid Certificate of Insurance (COI) to demonstrate that the pilot has coverage that protects both them and their clients.

As companies continue to place more emphasis on their drone programs to accomplish a wide range of tasks, there’s an increasing need for a single software platform to centralize all the necessary operations.

Measure CEO and Co-founder Brandon Torres Declet was featured in a Commercial UAV  News article first published on April 16, 2020. 

Drones for use in the construction industry have boomed since their adoption by civil and commercial groups in 2016. And we expect to see that trend continue in the coming years. According to Goldman Sachs, drones in construction present the largest opportunity for new jobs - nearly doubling the opportunity for the next closest industry -- agriculture. 

Source: Goldman Sachs