WingtraOne GEN II offers more efficient, higher-accuracy drone pipeline inspection data [case study]
Borton Lawson is a multi-discipline engineering firm, founded in the 80s in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Over the years, it has grown to provide technology-led engineering solutions to a wide range of industries across the US, including a significant focus in the energy, and oil and gas markets. In 2017, the firm launched an in-house sister company, Precise Visual Technologies (PVT), to focus on new tech, including laser scanning and drone data capture.
Key to PVT’s success is a strong focus on research and development, which involves investing in technology that can deliver the right product to high quality standards at the right price point. Having just invested in the latest model of WingtraOne, the GEN II, PVT advanced its capacity to serve oil and gas companies specifically while maintaining and even improving project delivery timelines.
“Our oil and gas clients have realized the value in high-resolution updated aerial imagery,” said James Kovalik, PLS, Reality Solutions Leader at Precise Visual Technologies. “That’s one of the markets where we have been really successful leveraging the Wingtra data.”
- Oil & Gas
- United States
We had a project for a large terminal client and calculated our proposal using a DJI quadcopter. Prior to the project kickoff, we received our GEN II and decided to use it on this project. This cut our project time in half and significantly improved our deliverables to the client. We flew nine sites across three states in just three days, ranging from one acre to 250 acres.
James Kovalik
Reality Solutions Leader at Precise Visual Technologies
Cutting the red tape and getting the jobs done right
Of the nine sites PVT flew for their client, several of them were close to airports. Safety and drone regulations around airports are absolutely valid concerns and need to be strictly followed. However, Kovalik said some of the red tape DJI presents when flying in “DJI determined zones” is time-intensive without the benefit of added safety. The WingtaOne GEN II allowed PVT to bypass the DJI zone requirements and safely fly the sites near airports while following all regulations .
“We used the WingtraOne GEN II to get around the red tape of DJI geo zones, which are more restrictive than the current FAA restrictions. In reality, you can fly in many places as long as you follow all FAA guidelines. Our pilots all have their Part 107 license, and they are all very familiar and follow all FAA regulations. Wingtra helped us avoid unnecessary delays, get in there, follow the rules, fly and get out, fast.”
In fact, if you fly DJI within determined zones, you must follow a very specific and flawed process; otherwise, the drone won’t take off. The process would take about an hour to do on-site before flying, Kovalik said, and by this time, the GEN II can finish flying a full site safely and within legal limits. All of this, plus better resolution.
This has really been our biggest success with the Wingtra. Owners want high-resolution, upgraded aerial imagery for their GIS systems that is accurate. What we’re now able to provide them is on another level, it’s just so much more detailed.
James Kovalik
Reality Solutions Leader at Precise Visual Technologies
