Cyberhawk completed the 15km route in under one week and delivered an orthophoto image to 1.5cm resolution. This data provided the ecologists at Ecus with a detailed overview of the types of habitats located along the route, and what types of protected species to look out for during further investigations. The aerial data can also be referred back to if future site works are carried out and changes to the surrounding habitats need to be monitored. Cyberhawk was selected for this project as they are one of the few UAV service providers on the Network Rail Framework therefore able to fly over Network Rail assets.

Importantly, the quality of the resulting visual data was far better than what had been obtained previously. Network Rail sought extremely high quality, detailed data which would be used in a variety of formats and for different purposes, and wanted this data collected in a single mobilisation.

When collecting data using traditional methods of inspection, views can be limited to where the technician can see and reach. As well as our high definition images, which delivered a 360 degree view showing all defects, we also provided Network Rail with 2D elevations, 3D models and cloud point surveys. This avoided the need for a separate dimensional survey.

The inspection was deemed a great success and Network Rail is already looking at how to integrate UAVs into its inspection procedures in the future.

UAV data collection reduces – and often removes – the need for track possessions, resulting in reduced track side work. Also, UAVs don’t require people working at height or during the night, contributing to the overall safety of staff.

Usually this type of inspection would involve traditional rope access methods, requiring a track possession at night and therefore taking significantly longer to complete. Following a UAV survey, it may still be necessary to undertake some targeted inspection work using traditional tactile methods, but only when really necessary in order to examine any severe defects identified. This dramatically improves the overall efficiency of the project.

Using Cyberhawk to complete the work scope, compared with traditional inspection and survey methods, saved the client a significant amount of time and money and produced much higher quality imagery and reporting in contrast with previous inspections. Furthermore, there was no disruption to schedules and importantly, safety risks were minimised due to removing the need to work at height.

Our client provided existing CAD drawings of the known underground cable positions. These were overlaid on our orthophoto imagery providing additional information about potential future issues due to erosion on the coastline.

The survey data was provided electronically and also via our secure online portal.

The fixed wing UAV has an on-board GPS positioning system that precisely logs the UAV’s position during the flight, which means less time is required for ground control to be carried out by the surveyor.

Cyberhawk also has special CAA permissions for EVLOS (extended visual line of sight), which allowed this project to be carried out in one single flight as the fixed wing aircraft could be flown up to 1500 meters away from the pilot’s position utilising a remote observer. A site of this size would normally take a full day to establish traditional aerial survey ground control.

The final outputs for the project were high-resolution orthophoto imagery, digital elevation model and 3D pointcloud data.

By utilising a fixed-wing UAV with precise onboard positioning the survey was completed in a fraction of the time required for a traditional ground-based topographic survey or even a rotary-wing UAV survey. It also allowed significant cost savings for the client and allowed a quick turnaround in the high quality aerial data that was obtained.

Alternative methods for carrying out this scope of work, such as ground camera and scaffolding, would have taken weeks to complete – or longer when the erecting and dismantling of structural supports is considered.

Cyberhawk used a combination of its internal and external UAVs to capture close visual images of the inside and outside of the roof, supporting structure and to produce a detailed inspection report.

Cyberhawk completed the project in two days, with Network Rail reporting significant cost and time savings.

For each project, Cyberhawk delivered high resolution geo-referenced orthophoto covering 50m either side from the centre of railway, oblique photos up and down the line every 100m (50m height), spherical photos, a digital elevation model and video footage at 50m height along the specified section of the line.

The advantage of using Cyberhawk’s UAV solution teamed with aerial footage from a manned aircraft allowed Network Rail to keep each railway operational throughout.

The data gathered from the UAV survey has proven to be efficient in providing necessary information that can be used by Network Rail for future developments on the railway.

The team faced numerous challenges thought this project. As the survey took place at a beach, data had to be acquired at low-tide meaning careful planning was required to schedule flight times. The site was also on the edge of a military bombing range so co-ordination with the Ministry of Defence was obligatory.

The team utilised two drones to complete this work. A fixed-wing UAV was used for the topographic survey of the beach and a multi-rotor UAV was used for the acquisition of the aerial panoramic images.

The project was delivered successfully and in time with the client reporting significant cost savings.

Cyberhawk used a combination of fixed-wing and multi-rotor UAVs to complete the workscope on time and within budget.

To date, the client has used the aerial survey data to support emergency services in the event of an incident and as part of safety exercises.

Cyberhawk deployed a two-man team to carry out the work along with a combination of multi-rotor UAVs and GPS survey equipment. The ground control was surveyed using the GPS equipment and the multi-rotor UAV was used to safely fly the survey area.

A Digital Elevation Model (DEM), detailed orthophoto at 3cm ground resolution, a 360-degree spherical photo and panoramic photos were all provided. Cyberhawk’s rigorous health and safety and flight-planning procedures were approved in advance by the site owner, and all data gathered was used by the client to visualize the construction progress.

In order to carry out the aerial survey, we worked under traffic management with road traffic being stopped during our four short flights. The site would have been almost impossible to survey safely using ground-based methods.

If other methods, such as scaffolding, were considered, the client would have to take apart the ducting and exhausts. Cyberhawk’s solution not only mitigated the risks associated with traditional inspection methods, such as working at height, but reduced the inspection times that would otherwise affect downtime.

Another major benefit was that the inspection could be undertaken from outside Network Rail’s boundary, which meant the need for a trackside possession was eliminated.

Network Rail decided Cyberhawk was best suited to this particular project due to its Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Congested area operating safety case permission to operate in urban areas and experience of working on rail infrastructure.

Just like operating a full-size aircraft, UAV operators in the UK need to be approved and certified by the CAA. As with any contractor it is important to check their insurances and ensure that appropriate risk assessments and method statements are prepared before any project. In addition to this, pilots need extensive training and qualifications to be able to safely and competently operate a UAV near structures at industrial sites. Cyberhawk’s standards not only meet, but surpass this prerequisite, with its internal pilot training standards requiring four levels beyond the CAA minimum.

Cyberhawk’s solution for Deptford Creek mitigated the need for a full site setup and meant operations could continue throughout the inspection, improving safety and saving time, with Network Rail reporting cost savings of up to £30,000.

RMS. The team also supplied oblique inspection imagery of the sea wall, aerial spherical imagery and aerial video footage showing the wave action. Additionally, Cyberhawk flew at low tide to collect topographic information of the beach which had changed profile due to the storm event.

Cyberhawk deployed a two man team of a land surveyor and pilot to survey the site using a combination of fixed-wing and multi-rotor UAVs alongside traditional land survey equipment. The farmland was surveyed using the fixed wing UAV and the cliffs were surveyed using the multi-rotor UAV. Traditional survey techniques were used to observe ground control markers around the site. Natural marks were remotely observed on the foreshore using a direct-reflex total station instrument. The survey of the coastline was undertaken at low tide to ensure the maximum amount of data could be acquired.

Cyberhawk’s rigorous health and safety and flight-planning procedures were approved in advance by the site owner and the client, along with Cyberhawk, worked closely with local Air Traffic Control given the close proximity of an airport.

A Digital Elevation Model (DEM), detailed Orthophoto (at 3cm ground resolution), 360 degree spherical photos and point-cloud data were provided. Cyberhawk’s data was used by the client to design the layout of the proposed development and to assist with geological analysis.

Cyberhawk’s rigorous health and safety and flight-planning procedures were particularly crucial with this survey as the tides in the area were very fast moving. The company worked with the client to agree upon a comprehensive safety plan, and worked closely with local Air Traffic Control given the close proximity of a bombing range.

A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and detailed Orthophoto (at 3cm ground resolution) were provided. Cyberhawk’s data was used by the client to design the layout of the proposed development and to assist with geological analysis.