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

  • Topcon’s LN-100 3D positioning system
    May 13, 2014
    Topcon Positioning Group says its new BIM solution - the LN-100 – is the world’s first 3D positioning system designed specifically for construction layout. Said to offer seamless integration and flow of project data from the design to the field, the LN-100 is simple to operate, removing “the intimidation factor and reducing the learning curve in performing construction layout tasks,” according to Eduardo Falcon, Topcon Positioning Group executive vice president and general manager for the GeoPositioning
  • Macleod Simmonds introduces GPR offering
    October 17, 2012
    UK-based Macleod Simmonds Ltd (MSL) has launched a GPR (Ground Probing Radar) consultancy providing both a survey service and software package which, the firm says, takes the output from multi-antenna surveys to a “whole new dimension”. The firm says it can now provide survey capability for almost any type of terrain, application or location that end users might require. For the existing roadway or smooth surface terrain survey location, MSL has a Carriageway System based on a multi-antenna set up from Ital
  • Rigorous testing for high performance materials
    February 9, 2012
    Today’s highways require high performance materials, and this means rigorous testing as Patrick Smith reports Highways are under greater pressure than ever today and asphalts have to grant high performances in order to withstand traffic and meet the standards. Studying the plastic permanent deformations in hot mix asphalt (HMA) is very important to obtain useful information for mix designers as an appropriate mix design will reduce the formation of unevenness on road surface. To investigate the effect of mi
  • Need for sustainability in infrastructure projects
    July 13, 2012
    What can contractors gain from a sustainability strategy and why is it now a vital business imperative? Abigroup, one of Australia's leading and most diverse national contractors, has developed a sustainability strategy suited to its industry, workforce and business. World Highways discusses this and other issues with Sarah Marshall, Abigroup's national environment and sustainability manager. In the past a responsible business was viewed as one that performed strongly within legal boundaries to maximise pro