Drones are great for use at construction sites as you can control them with a remote and get a clear view of the inaccessible areas. They help a lot in doing things like site review for construction, aerial surveys, mapping, measuring excavation depths, and keeping an eye on material stocks.
They provide a Birdseye view of the wide-ranging project sites that is hard to get from the ground level. They are a must-have for you or someone who works at construction sites.Many improvements in small drones have allowed construction contractors to conduct site surveys more efficiently and inexpensively, search the inaccessible areas, and monitor progress.
Drones have also allowed experts to identify the potential deficiencies early and determine whether the given project within budget is completed on time. Because of the increasing popularity of commercial drone operations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced new rules stating the qualifications to fly a drone legally over construction sites for commercial purposes by striking some operational limitations on the use of drones.
That is why some contractors say that if you are a drone operator, you should not violate these rules as they can come with damages and consequences if you illegally try to fly your drone over the construction sites.
Rules for Using Drones on Construction Sites
Before trying to fly drones over construction sites, you need to know the rules for flying. Here are some of them that can help you in flying drones:
1. A Remote Pilot Certificate
An essential FAA rule is that you need to have a remote pilot certificate or direct supervision from the one who has the certificate. To get a remote pilot certificate, you need to pass an aeronautical knowledge-based test and a background check. Unlike staffed aircraft certification, flight training is not required.
2. Don’t Control it From Vehicles
You cannot control drones from your vehicle but only in case of meagerly populated areas. It is essential to be careful about the drone’s speed because the groundspeed should not be more than 100 mph. Also, be cautious about the altitude of the flight. It should not be more than 400 mph unless the drone is flying within 400 feet of a structure.
3. The Flight Should Take Place During the Day
You can only fly your drone in the daytime, but it can also fly in civil twilight conditions if equipped with anti-collision lights. As a drone controller, you should maintain a visual sight line without needing any assistance with the drone to monitor it and its surroundings all the time.
4. At Least Three Miles of Visibility
You can fly the drones only up to three miles away from the control station to be visible regardless of the distance it has traveled. They must give aircraft the right to move and not interfere with any operations or air traffic on places like heliports, seaplane ports, and airports.
5. Permission From Air Traffic Control For Entering the Airspace
You cannot enter the restricted controlled area unless you get permission from Air Traffic Control permission to do so. If you try to fly a drone without permission, they will consider it trespassing and take drastic action against you.
6. Don’t Fly Over People
You also cannot fly over people directly without participating in the drone’s operation.
Essential Things to Look For When Buying a Drone
1. Materials
Although most of the drones are expensive these days and if you buy one of them, you would expect them to last longer because you paid a higher price. That is the reason why you should consider the drone’s material before buying. You should look for drones made from fiberglass and carbon fiber as they are more robust.
2. Range
The drone range is also an essential thing to consider before buying a drone as the furthest your drone can go from the transmitter, the better it is for you to capture photos and record videos. Usually, cheap drones have a range of 30 meters or more, whereas, with the expensive ones, you can travel for miles without losing the transmitter’s contact.
3. Flight Time
It would be best if you also considered the drone’s flight time how long it could stay in the air because, unlike regular aircraft, they don’t have substantial fuel reserves that can make them stay in the mood for a long time. That is why you should make sure that the drone you choose has a flying time of 20 to 30 minutes and not less than that. When buying, you should look at it as a one-time investment.
4. Camera
The drone’s primary purpose is to get the camera high up in the air, capture photos, and record amazing videos that you cannot do without a murmur. That is why most of the drones come with a camera of their own or allow you to mount an external camera if you want. Even though the drone’s weight reduces flight time, it is worth taking amazing pictures and recording high-quality videos in the air.
5. Live Feed
The live video feed is an extraordinary feature in a drone that allows you to see when you are in the right position to capture an outstanding aerial image. It will enable you to see through the drone’s eyes and make you feel as if you are there. Live feed also makes flying drones a lot safer and straightforward.
Top Drones for Construction Sites
1. ATTOP Drone with 1080P HD Camera
This drone has a 1080P HD Camera that helps in capturing good quality photos. It is multi-function and is easy to control. It also has a toss-to-launch feature. You can fly it by merely throwing it horizontally in the air, and it will automatically unlock its blades and fly. With a fantastic camera, it can help a lot by doing aerial surveys and reviewing sites before construction.
2. DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
DJI Phantom 4 Pro has an excellent camera to use for construction sites. It is equipped with a 3-axis motorized gimbal and a one-inch CMOS sensor of 20MP with a mechanical sensor that removes the rolling shutter contortion. This drone is brilliant in terms of flight performance as it has a maximum flight speed of 72kph a transmission range of 8km. You control it through a DJI GO 4 App on almost all smartphone devices.
3. DJI Mavic 2 Pro
DJI Mavic 2 Pro has a 12MP camera sensor with 4x zoom capacity, including the optical zoom of 2x. This camera is all about the dynamic view. It has a flight time of 31 minutes with a max speed of 44mph and a takeoff weight of 905G. It has some great functions, including ActiveTrack 2.0, Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing, Hyperlapse, HDR photos, etc.
4. SIMREX X300C Mini Drone
SIMREX X300CC is a great drone that can be controlled by transmission or transmitter control through a smartphone. It has 3D rolling special effects. You can even flip it in 4 different ways, including left, right, forward, and backward. It also has a headless mode that allows you to control it quickly and prevent it from going in the wrong direction. It is beneficial in case the eyes cannot identify the drone’s orientation.
5. Syma X5C 4 Channel 2.4GHz RC Explorers Quad Copter w/ Camera
It is a quadcopter drone with a 6-axis flight control system and an HD camera. With the help of its magnificent camera, you can take high-quality photos and record high-quality videos while flying. It also has a headless OC function, which allows you to move forward regardless of the nose direction. It reduces the learning curve’s steepness and will enable you to learn each of its orientations while enjoying your flight slowly.
6. Contixo F24 Pro Quadcopter
Contixo F24 Pro is a foldable quadcopter with a GPS and a high-def camera that lets you capture 4k photos and videos. It has a lens of 120 FOV that gives a larger view of the memorable moment and a flight time that is longer than 30 minutes. It is equipped with a 2500mAh battery that gives you a flight time of 30 minutes. It is also capable of reaching a live video and transmission distance of 1,700 feet.
7. DRONE-CLONE XPERTS X Pro AIR Drone
This drone is also a quadcopter that features an 8MP dual camera. One is in front, and the other is on the bottom. It has a split-screen and Picture in Picture mode that allows you to see the real-time transmission from both the front and the back cameras and record the footage of both cameras at the same time. The video that you record with the drone is immediately sent to your smartphone’s photo album.
What makes it the best choice for construction sites is that it is easy to use and allows you to see your site from two angles simultaneously.
Drones – An Effective Tool in Construction
Drones are great for use at construction sites as you can control them with a remote and get a clear view of the inaccessible areas. Moreover, they work perfectly for scoping the location around quickly and in less time. It also helps provide an accurate estimate of the land and how it looks and keeps track of how construction work is going on.