Experienced, Proven & Accurate for Timely Solutions

A UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) – often referred to as a drone – is an aircraft that operates remotely without pilots or crew.

Drones are pivotal tools in Helix’s efficient client support in that they allow for surveying in many places that are difficult or dangerous to access, such as hostile environments, public traffic and obscure fields. UAVs also can survey large areas for long periods.

Helix Engineering’s licensed UAV surveyors specialize in unmanned aircraft systems for data collection, imagery and mapping. Our drone surveys provide versatile ways to perform topographic surveys in a fraction of the time needed for traditional methods. This supports reduced site-survey costs for your organization while freeing time and resources for other project components.

Our FAA 107–licensed drone pilots are trained and qualified to keep projects on-time and on-budget within regulatory and design constraints, as well as improve the overall safety of the operation.

Helix Engineering drone surveys support diverse objectives:

• Technology (survey & mapping-grade drones
• Regulations (FAA, road authority)
• Operations (FAA, internal protocol)
• Insurance (drone-specific)
• Safety (FAA, internal protocol)
• Laws (FAA, road authority)
• Applications (surveying, mapping, inspection)
• Risk Assessment (FAA, hazard identification)

Helix UAV surveying also accommodates project requirements for

• Government (local, state, federal)
• Forestry
• Oil & Gas
• Golf Courses
• Construction
• Resorts
• Infrastructure
• Campgrounds
• Agriculture
• Real Estate
• Insurance
• Power & Utilities

Specific UAV capabilities include:

• Aerial Imaging & Video
• Utility Coordination
• Aerial Mapping
• Utility Relocation Design & Coordination
• Communication of Utility Data
• Utility Condition Assessment
• Communication for Conflict Avoidance
• Utility Relocation Cost Estimates
• Aerial Inspections
• Utility Design
• Utility Mapping

Aerial Imaging & Video

Helix UAV technology captures photography and video in up to 4K ultra-high definition (UHD). The imagery’s superb resolution serves as a pivotal asset in projects such as real estate, construction, telecommunications and public utilities.

Aerial Mapping

Helix aerial mapping with drones provides accurate real-time geospatial intelligence about a targeted area. The images we collect form 2D photogrammetry and 3D digital terrain models (DTMs) and digital surface models (DSMs) for detailed analysis.

Communication of Utility Data

The information received and transmitted by Helix drone surveys supplies utility data for monitoring, evaluation and decision-making; adapting to changing conditions; and communicating with other UAVs that may be involved in the project.

Communication for Conflict Avoidance

Helix UAVs apply strategies for preventing communication conflicts among different UAVs, especially when they are operating in proximity or in complex environments. For example, multiple drones can plan trajectories in urban environments to avoid potential mid-air conflicts, especially when communication with the drone pilot is lost.

Aerial Inspections

Drone inspections are visual inspections of various areas and structures from the air. This surveillance is particularly useful for operations that require regular, cost-effective maintenance checks and assessments of remote or difficult-to-reach locations.

Utility Mapping

Helix drones with cameras and photogrammetry software provide precise real-time geospatial intelligence about a specified area for optimal planning of utility projects.

Utility Coordination

Drones serve as valuable strategic assets in coordinating utilities. The UAVs establish communication systems for interacting with one another other and with control stations during surveys; gather detailed data with their sophisticated sensors; and intelligently store, process and retrieve the data for enhanced analysis.

Utility Relocation Design & Coordination

Utility relocation creates challenges to project scheduling and completion. Helix UAVs allow clients to predict and avoid issues that may surface between existing infrastructure and planned changes or regulations; prevent complications with permit requirements; design efficiently according to the information; and enhance safety during construction.

Utility Condition Assessment

UAVs provide detailed bird-eye imagery for inspecting and evaluating the condition of utility infrastructure. With this capability, project teams can achieve vital tasks such as inspecting power lines, identifying and mitigating any potential hazards, and collecting data on factors such as insulators and transformers.

Utility Relocation Cost Estimates

Forecasting relocation costs can often require more guesswork with traditional surveying methods. Helix drone surveys gather accurate, detailed imagery that allows clients to form the more-accurate cost estimates they need for decision-making.

Utility Design

Helix UAVs support efficient utility design by providing clients the data to survey, inspect and manage utility infrastructure with greater precision. Designs become more efficient and adaptive with detailed insight into project factors such as vegetation encroachment and management, terrain monitoring, mapping utility grids and troubleshooting problems.

Helix Engineering: UAV Survey in Action

Helix drone surveys impact project success and efficiency in many different ways.

As but one example, Helix was awarded a 3,000-foot-long topographic survey along a stretch of northern Illinois roadway running parallel to a railroad that was also within the scope. We provided an option for a traditional survey that included fees for permitting to access the railroad, which would have proven to delay the project by months as well.

We also presented an alternative that would capture the railroad section by using our drone for photogrammetry. In addition to avoiding permitting and approvals for entering the railroad, this would provide exact imagery of the site on the date of the survey, establish the existing grade along the railroad and keep the project schedule on track.

The client chose the alternative and was ultimately highly satisfied with the results of the topographic survey.

UAV Engineering for Project Success & Precision: Contact Helix Today

With our knowledge, experience and technology behind you, you gain the ideas, data and guidance you need for making sound decisions and use of project resources. Contact us at (815) 714-9776 to further discuss how you can save back-office time, money and effort with Helix UAV engineering on your team.