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8,000 Acres, 1 Drone: Large Scale Mapping

www.2cofly.com | dwl@2cofly.com | (671) 988-1532


Scope of Work: Produce Orthomosaic Map of all the southern residential areas

Contracting Client: Pacific Federal Management

End Users: Internal Operation | Army Corps of Engineers

2cofly drone pilot, Ratu Uluiviti, holds the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise and sets up RTK base station

Drones continue to grow in demand across various industries and are constantly pushing the boundaries of what we can do in our every day lives. While drones have been around for quite some time, it has been especially put into people's radar after Typhoon Mawar; it left Guam devastated, with extensive damages across large areas. Traditional data collection methods would have been time-consuming, labor-intensive, and potentially dangerous. In such critical situations, every minute counts, and having an efficient solution was essential to expedite the recovery process and help affected communities rebuild their lives.

2cofly's DJI M300 RTK drone with an aerial magnetometer attached
2cofly's DJI M300 RTK drone with an aerial magnetometer attached

Enter 2cofly, a local drone company with deep expertise in aerial mapping. Their team of skilled sUAS pilots and cutting-edge drone technology allowed them to quickly deploy their enterprise-level drone to the affected areas. The drone was equipped with advanced photogrammetry systems, which bundles a large RGB sensor and an RTK GPS system for centimeter-level accuracy.


By employing drones for this 8,000-acre mapping job, 2cofly was able to gather comprehensive data in a fraction of the time it would have taken with traditional methods. The drones efficiently covered large swaths of land, even in challenging terrains, providing real-time feedback and allowing the end user to make informed decisions promptly. The data collected is also multi-purpose! It serves as crucial data for damage assessment, urban planning, and identifying potential risks for future disasters. So by acquiring this one data set, the end user can share this data with other agencies for further co-working and collaboration if they choose to do so.


I started out using drones just for fun, but I realized drones are so much more than just for hobby use. After joining 2cofly and being part of their drone operations team, it really opened my eyes to the true potential of drones. I believe drones will change the world! - Ratu, 2cofly sUAS Pilot

Not only did the drones save time, but they also proved to be a cost-effective solution. Traditional data collection methods would have required hiring and coordinating a large team using a handheld phone to take pictures home by home (talk about an outdated approach!). 2cofly's aerial solution, on the other hand, offered a more streamlined and efficient approach, reducing costs and resource utilization while maintaining accuracy and precision.


The drone scan allowed our quality assurance personnel to obtain a detailed visual of the paths they need to take. The quality of the footage was so great that the quality assurance personnel had an initial visual of debris streams before arriving at the roadways. The overall speed with which 2cofly responded and supported the mission helped reduce the initial scouting effort and sped up the process. - Rob Salas | Owner, Pacific Federal Management

But the benefits of drones extend far beyond disaster recovery. Across various industries, from agriculture and construction to environmental monitoring and infrastructure inspection, drones are transforming the way businesses operate. Their ability to reach inaccessible areas, gather vast amounts of data, and deliver actionable insights is revolutionizing the way we work.


In agriculture, drones equipped with multispectral cameras and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) sensors are helping farmers optimize crop health and maximize yields. By providing valuable data on plant stress, nutrient levels, and water distribution, farmers can make data-driven decisions to enhance their farming practices, minimize resource wastage, and reduce their environmental impact.


1-foot contours generated from aerial LiDAR survey
1-foot contours generated from aerial LiDAR survey | 2cofly x TG Engineers

Similarly, in the construction industry (which is our core client base), drones are streamlining the surveying and monitoring processes. A large-scale construction project, like a multi-acre development, can be efficiently mapped and monitored in real-time using drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging technology. This enables project managers to identify potential issues early, track progress, and ensure compliance with design specifications, ultimately saving time and resources.

Colorized 3D point cloud of Tumon
Colorized 3D point cloud of Tumon | 2cofly x NASA Guam Space Grant

Beyond commercial use, drones have also become a powerful tool for environmental conservation. Conservationists and researchers use drones to survey wildlife populations, monitor deforestation, and assess the health of ecosystems. By obtaining detailed aerial data, conservation efforts can be targeted more effectively, and endangered species can be protected with greater precision.


Aerial data by Jonelle Sayama

Being of upmost importance for coastal protection, marine ecosystems, and for biodiversity purposes, mangrove monitoring is necessary to ensure protection and to better understand their current state. My research implemented UAVs to provide a non-destructive and efficient tool for analyzing forest structure and health, with a Matrice 300 and Phantom 4 multispectral drone. - Jonelle Sayama, UOG Environmental Science Graduate Student

As technology continues to advance, the applications for drones will only continue to expand. With the potential to transform industries, improve efficiency, and create positive impacts worldwide, it's no wonder that drone technology is on the rise.


Entire dataset uploaded to our cloud server
Entire dataset uploaded to our cloud server

In conclusion, 2cofly's successful completion of the 8,000-acre mapping job in Guam after Typhoon Mawar exemplifies how drones are changing the game in disaster recovery and various other fields. Their ability to rapidly gather relevant data, their cost-effectiveness, and their versatility make drones an invaluable asset in today's fast-paced world. As we look to the future, it's evident that drones will play an increasingly significant role in shaping the way we live and work, leaving us excited to witness the endless possibilities that lie ahead in the realm of drone technology.






What can I do to benefit from this technology?

Here are three options we recommend.

  1. Contact us for a free consultation. We will take a look at your operation and see where drones can bring massive efficiencies to your processes.

  2. Certify your workers! This would be the most cost-effective way in the long term - to build your own drone department. 2cofly is the leading education and training provider for drones in Micronesia; we have trained students ranging from high schoolers to professional engineers. Go through our online course or take part in an in-person class.

  3. Introduce your kids early. If your kids are between the ages of 9-15, Drone Optics offers a FREE drone camp during select months. Email Teddy at droneopticsguam@gmail.com for details. -- If you your kids are attending either GCC or UOG, 2cofly has a paid internship program in partnership with the NASA Guam Space Grant / UOG Drone Crops. Contact us for more information.

 

2cofly is a full service drone service provider in Guam and Micronesia. Our company has two primary focus areas: construction and education.


We work primarily with construction and engineering firms and offer:

  • Orthomosaic Mapping (+ Planimetric Mapping)

  • Topographic Mapping (via LiDAR & photogrammetry)

  • General LiDAR Mapping (land feasibility study, power line, etc)

  • Aerial Inspection

  • Aerial Magnetometry (underground metal detection)

  • Part 107 education and drone training

 




(671) 988-1532

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