Skip to main content

Michael Baker receives authority to fly unmanned aerial systems

US-based engineering firm Michael Baker International has received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate several types of fixed-wing and vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft systems. The company said its UAS can capture robust, real-time aerial photographs and video as well as conduct aerial mapping for surveys or site inspections. "Integrating our FAA-certified unmanned aircraft program with our other advanced data collection capabilities allows us to take data
August 17, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
US-based engineering firm Michael Baker International has received certification from the 2423 Federal Aviation Administration to operate several types of fixed-wing and vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft systems.

The company said its UAS can capture robust, real-time aerial photographs and video as well as conduct aerial mapping for surveys or site inspections.

"Integrating our FAA-certified unmanned aircraft program with our other advanced data collection capabilities allows us to take data collection to an entirely new level for our clients,” said Robert Hanson, senior vice president and the firm's Geospatial Practice leader.

"Our UAS capability builds upon the company's full continuum of innovative solutions that immediately enhance timeframes for planning and executing projects in surface transportation, utilities infrastructure, land development, pipelines and many other markets."

Vehicle operators can adjust still and video cameras on the aircraft to capture images at almost any angle. This enhances the quality of data captured from the same geographic location at different points in time.

According to the company, clients need fewer additional studies or surveys of a project because the UAS data provides a much fuller picture of a site or a building.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New asphalt compaction technologies boost quality
    February 28, 2012
    More sophisticated compaction technologies are now coming to market, offering a wide range of benefits to users
  • New asphalt compaction technologies boost quality
    April 13, 2012
    More sophisticated compaction technologies are now coming to market, offering a wide range of benefits to users While asphalt paving techniques vary widely between North America and Europe, there is greater commonality in the compaction methods required. New developments in compaction rollers are offering contractors using both North American and European style paving techniques major gains in quality. According to Robert Horan, a regional engineer for the US-based Asphalt Institute, intelligent compact
  • Smart system for recording road repairs
    May 25, 2016
    The new Site-Track system is said to offer a sophisticated tool for tracking road repairs. The system can be used for identifying new installation or repairs for utilities and recording all utilities in the immediate area of the installation. The package offers a method of relocating previously recorded information rapidly, without the need for advanced skills or technologies such as GPS and is said to be invaluable for night-time or emergency works. The package can provide accurate location of critica
  • BOMAG’s smart asphalt compaction technology in use
    May 25, 2016
    BOMAG’s highly sophisticated compaction control technology is now being used successfully on the highway project to link Warsaw with St Petersburg. The system is being employed in the rural area around the border triangle of Lithuania, Latvia and Belarus. Lithuanian road contractor Panevezio Keliai won the package of works to upgrade a stretch of the E262 in Zarasai. The project requires high quality as the E262 route links Warsaw with St Petersburg and carries a large volume of traffic, including a hig