Below is a portion of a report I prepared for the Board of Directors of a local homeowners association in the Tacoma, WA area following a demonstration of the use of a drone for securing aerial imagery:
Background on Aerial Photography & Drones
The use of imagery (still photo,
video, UV, infrared, side-looking radar, etc.) in urban planning and
development has been extensively documented.
Recent development of technology to provide stable, unmanned aerial platforms
(commonly called “drones”) to accommodate cameras and other equipment, promises
to open up possibilities for useful applications for homeowners associations.
A Demonstration at ******** **********
Following a recent newspaper article about training of UAV owners, pilots, and potential users, I contacted the instructor, who demonstrated, on August 25, the use of a modestly priced UAV in ********, on
Building **. Owners were informed ahead of time, and two attended the demonstration,
along with two managing partners of a local property management organization.
Results
Applications which were clearly
demonstrated included capturing of high quality still and video photography on
issues of importance to ********:
1.
General
inspection of the condition of roofs, gutters, downspouts, decks, roof
penetrations, scuppers, etc.
2.
Identifications
of damage to gutter and downspouts, with resolutions of a few inches, possibly
due to leaning ladders, sagging, joints, dents, etc.
3.
Identification
of areas where cleaning and/or repainting was needed on the tops and sides of
the building
4.
Areas where
plugging of gutters and downspouts by needles and leaves occurred, and where
they were clean and clear
5.
Aerial
extent of ponded water during and after storm events
6.
General
extent and condition of vegetation (not included were devices (color infrared,
etc.) capable of capturing imagery which would show dead trees, pest damage,
dry conditions, lack of nutrients & fertilization, etc.
7.
Imagery
confirmed 1) heavy needle loading of rear top gutters (88); 2) plugging of
downspouts (88); 3) splash damage on inside south walls of flat roofs (88, 95);
4) vegetation damage (89, 93, 95, 96); 5) clean front gutters (89, 92, 93, 94);
6) accumulation of needles at edges of flashing around chimneys, against walls,
and around ponding water on flat roofs (91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96); 6) concentration
of needles at some of the scuppers (91, 93, 94, 95, 96); 7) condition of
scuppers (88); 8) condition of chimney mortar and chimney caps (91, 93, 94, 95,
96); 9) condition of painted wall tops (92, 93, 94, 95, 96); 10) location of
old cess pool or sump (95, 96).
Comparative Results
Total air time of the drone used
(a DJI Phantom II, retailing at about $1300, with gimbal-mounted camera) was about 13
minutes, to secure 7 still photos at 14 megapixel resolution, and two videos of
clarity comparable to drone-based professional sports broadcasts and “Over
Washington” shows. Comparable
inspections would have required two or more people with ladders, for several
hours, to secure comparable information.
Users
Possible users, in addition to
our own (and other HOA) Boards for assessments of property condition and
problem identification, include realtors whose clients may want a better
image of roofing and second- and third-story paint, gutter, and downspout
condition; inspectors who are paid to provide assurances to buyers as a
condition of purchase; financial institutions and insurers, who wish to
know the condition of properties they finance or insure; reserve study
professionals who are greatly hampered in their ability to assess
conditions of properties by inability to directly observe portions of the
properties to determine condition and useful life of assets, etc.; and smart
buyers themselves, who want the best information available on alternative
personal, commercial, or industrial investments.
Contact me at Drone Solutions for further information, at dronesolutions@aol.com
Ken Karch
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