Skip to main content

Free flight planner app for HCSS Aerial

The HCSS Aerial: Drone Mission app works with most drones to capture high-resolution images.
By David Arminas April 9, 2021 Read time: 2 mins
The smart app allows companies to set up a fully-automated flight plan to be executed over the length of a construction project (image courtesy HCSS)

HCSS says that its HCSS Aerial, a software-as-a-service drone-based analytics platform, now has a free smart app.

The app, HCSS Aerial: Drone Mission, can be paired with any drone, according to HCSS, based in the US state of Texas and which develops software to help construction companies streamline operations, including estimating and fleet management. It captures high-resolution images of construction job sites, analyses job progress, calculates earthwork volumes, performs safety inspections and more.

"Our new free, user-friendly application works in conjunction with the main drones available in the market,” said JP Giometti, executive director for global strategy and corporate development at HCSS. “The app is specifically designed for professional surveying, heavy civil construction and infrastructure project mapping. HCSS Aerial: Drone Mission allows you to get professional drone images with just a few taps and swipes on your iPad."

The smart app allows companies to set up a fully-automated flight plan to be executed over the length of a construction project. During the flight, drone operators see real-time images and gather data to make more informed decisions. Back in the office, high-resolution images from the drone’s memory card can be uploaded to hcss-aerial.com for analysis and further data to check the project's progress.

The app has smart settings for safe and successful missions, every time with auto-fly home when the drone, controller or iPad battery runs low. Maximum distances and flight height ranges can be set. The image resolution can be chosen and whether stationary or motion photos are needed.

Efficient image capture per mission-type available, including images in vertical mode (bird's eye view) within a defined area, images along an elongated path such as a road or railway in vertical mode as well as images at an angle while circling the object of interest - effective for 3D modeling.

There is easy flight definition by tapping or dragging to draw an area of interest onto a map or draw polygons on Google Earth and then upload the KML/KMZ files to the HCSS Aerial app. The app determines the drone's flight path within the area based on these settings. Flight duration, distance, images and required memory and batteries are auto-calculated to help prepare for a successful flight.

To download the free app, click here.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Innovative GIS software offerings
    July 18, 2012
    The latest construction software developments can speed the construction process overall, Adrian Greeman reports Construction software is by its very nature a very fast moving technology, with new systems coming to the market almost continuously. There are some key developments however, such as major new product launches and market trends. One of the most important developments in the road design sector is the launch of the Bentley Systems V8i versions of its software, including its road design applications
  • Bentley is building its software solutions portfolio
    May 14, 2015
    Bentley Systems continues to develop its portfolio of software solutions - Mike Woof writes One of the leaders in the field of construction software, Bentley Systems is developing its array of solutions for industry users. The company is growing both by acquisition and organically, using its financial strength to buy up smaller niche firms as well as developing the capabilities of its in-house software further. The company has recently made three key acquisitions, for EADOC, Acute3D and C3global. The
  • LiDAR surveying is making inroads into asset management
    December 18, 2017
    In the coming age of the autonomous vehicle, fast and accurate LiDAR surveying will be increasingly important, explains Valdis Vanags. The game-changing introduction of autonomous vehicles relies not only on intelligent traffic systems but well maintained roads to help computer-guided systems navigate using road markings. Laser scanning technology, too, is a game changer when it comes to planning and executing many civil engineering projects, including transport network upgrades and smart city initiatives.
  • Asset management and BIM solutions offer cost efficiency
    May 22, 2018
    New technology will help deliver projects more efficiently – Mike Woof writes. An array of new software and hardware tools are coming to market that can boost working efficiency for construction projects. Technology company thinkWhere is helping to improve collaboration and communication on Scotland’s largest road infrastructure project. Providing online access to multiple layers of live project maps and geographical data, the firm’s groundMapper software offers a web-based viewer that is allowing the co