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

  • IRD wins nation-wide FHWA contract
    March 1, 2012
    International Road Dynamics (IRD) has been awarded a contract for "weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems maintenance and data services" by the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
  • Safety trials for FORUM8
    October 28, 2020
    Research by a US university is using linked up driving and cycling simulators to help with safer urban road designs for both drivers and cyclists
  • South Carolina highway deal for Michael Baker International
    June 21, 2016
    Engineering and consultancy firm Michael Baker International will work on a major highway reconstruction project in Colombia, South Carolina. The project is intended to improve the commute for drivers in the state. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has awarded Michael Baker International a US$8.8-million contract to provide construction engineering and inspection services for an 17.6km section of Interstate 20 (I-20) in Lexington County. The section of I-20 is a main artery into and
  • Workszone design and planning software
    March 6, 2012
    Managing utility works effectively is important, given that digging up roads and then patching them can dramatically cut the life of a road surface. New software tools make this process easier to manage effectively and Bentley Systems is extending its Expert Designer V8i package to include water, gas, and communications infrastructure, in addition to electric utilities. This allows utility firms and engineering contractors using Expert Designer V8i to boost the efficiency of utility network design projects.