ERM LLC received airspace authorization 2017-P107-ESA-4491 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today. The authorization allows ERM to operate small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) up to 200 feet AGL within a radius of up to 3 nautical miles from the Bluegrass Materials Frederick quarry. This area of authorized operation is entirely within KFDK Class D airspace. ERM applied for the authorization on March 2, 2017 and is effective from May 18, 2017 to November 30, 2017. Continue reading
Author Archives: Lon Santis
Q: What’s Better Than 10 AeroPoints? A: 20 AeroPoints
ERM LLC acquired another 10 AeroPoints yesterday giving us 20 in the tool box. ERM can now cover up to 600 acres with 2-cm-accurate ground control points in one sUAS survey. Contact ERM today for a demonstration of our sUAS services.
ERM Supports UK Video Production Team
ERM LLC recently supported a video production team from the United Kingdom, who were in the US shooting a documentary. ERM sUAS pilot Shaun MacWilliams spent 1/2 day with the team in a state park shooting high quality video. Contact ERM if you need sUAS video or photography in the Frederick Maryland area.
ERM Conducts Photogrammetry Survey Trial with 3 Different UAS and 2 Different Patterns
ERM LLC recently conducted a survey of a housing development construction site using three different DJI small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), the Phantom 4 Pro, the Phantom 4, and the Phantom 3 Pro. ERM used the Pix4D capture app in 2D (parallel rows) and 3D (cross hatch) flight planner. Continue reading
ERM Adds AeroPoints to Tool Box: Accuracy Checks Out 4X
ERM LLC recently acquired a set of 20 AeroPoints, which allow us to place our own ground control points for photogrammetry surveys. With this new equipment, ERM can provide survey-grade accuracy without any assistance from the customer. Just tell ERM where you need data, and we can have it for you within days. Continue reading
ERM Test Flies Parrot Bebop 2 with Mixed Results
ERM LLC recently tested the Parrot Bebop 2 small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) for photogrammetry and had mixed results. The Bebop 2 is supported by the Pix4D Capture app and sports a very wide angle, or fisheye, lens. A wide angle lens provides more surface coverage in the image compared to an unaltered lens at the same distance to the subject.
ERM Speaks at the 2017 Chesapeake AIHA/ASSE Educational Seminar
ERM President Lon Santis spoke on small unmanned aircraft (sUAS) at the 2017 Chesapeake AIHA/ASSE Educational Seminar on April 6th at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, MD. The annual seminar is sponsored by the American Industrial Hygienists Association, the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers, and Johns Hopkins APL.
A standing room only crowd listened to Lon talk about the history of aerial photography, the regulatory state with sUAS, and applications of sUAS to environmental, safety and health disciplines. ERM was proud to support this informative seminar for ESH professionals.
Please contact ERM if your group would like training in FAA-compliant sUAS applications.
V1 Aeronautics Certifies ERM Pilot Passes sUAS Airman Knowledge Test
ERM President Lon Santis attended training this weekend and passed the FAA’s small unmmaned aircraft system (sUAS) Airman Knowledge Test. The training was provided and the test administered by V1 Aeronautics in Hagerstown, MD. All sUAS pilots must pass the knowledge test and be certified by FAA to operate sUA commercially.
Bryan Adamez, owner of V1, has put together a great program that is highly recommended by ERM for anyone seeking their FAA sUAS certification, especially those not familiar with FAA regulations and airspace. Bryan and his team break things down into easily understood and applicable components. The test questions were challenging, but with knowedge gained in the training provided by V1, passing the test was easy.
ERM Provides Crucial Topographic Data for Developer
ERM recently performed a series of topographic surveys for a local developer using the DJI P3 and Pix4D photogrammetry software. The developer needed to track the progress of subcontractors over a four-week period and ERM provided weekly site surveys in the form of .dfx files to do just that. Eight ground control points allowed for survey-grade accuracy.
FAA Fines SkyPan International $1.9M for Unauthorized UAS Operations
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a press release today announcing the largest civil penalty the FAA has proposed against a UAS operator for endangering the safety of the National Airspace (NAS).