By Sheldon Spackman

Early Adopter

Red Deer Regional Airport adopts drone technology

Jun 17, 2020 | 11:06 AM

Officials at Red Deer Regional Airport (YQF) have announced a new partnership that’s expected to play a key role in the future of airports, and airport safety.

A partnership with Alberta-based AERIUM Analytics is set to adopt UAV (Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle) and software analytics technology that aims to support existing and future airport infrastructure development.

Thanks to SkySensus ITB funding, AERIUM Analytics, who specializes in UAV and data analytics, is said to be excited to expand its portfolio to include Red Deer Regional Airport.

Airport officials say this partnership will begin with the planned runway refurbishment project, which is now underway. Detailed data will be collected and carefully analyzed throughout the duration of the project, as an additional means to help identify and eliminate potential infrastructure deficiencies, such as runway cracks or pavement abnormalities.

“We believe this technology represents the future of airport asset management, and we are very excited about partnering with AERIUM Analytics to help develop new and innovative technologies, and increase airport safety”, says Red Deer Regional Airport CEO Graham Ingham,” in a news release. “With paving of the secondary runway taking place this summer, the team at AERIUM Analytics will utilize this opportunity as a chance to further develop their technology, which in turn is expected to be adopted by airports across Canada and the United States.”

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“We are so excited to be on the forefront of this type of technology and work with the team at AERIUM Analytics,” continues Ingham. “We know that these opportunities are important to the airports both large and small, and what a way to showcase what our Alberta-based companies are capable of”.

AERIUM Analytics drone usage. (Red Deer Regional Airport)

“Through our projects with various airports across North America, we have identified a need for timely, reliable, and accurate method of runway inspections that would aid airport operators with project planning, and regulatory compliance,” adds Jordan Cicoria, VP of Operations, AERIUM Analytics. “As a leader in unmanned industry, we had an opportunity to be a part of the SkySensus Project which is aimed at advancing the use and development of Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle systems.”

“Working together with Red Deer Regional Airport will allow us to collect necessary data to make headway in the creation of Automated UAS Airport Solutions as part of the AERIUM portion of the SkySensus Project,” he points out.

Airport officials note AERIUM Analytics has previously worked on UAV projects such as Wildlife Management using their RoBird Robotic Falcon, OLS surveys, runway and infrastructure inspections with clients such as Edmonton International Airport, Grand Forks International Airport, Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport, and others.

The work with these airports is said to have allowed AERIUM Analytics to expand their organization and see the needs of airports across North America.

With UAV technology and software data analytics expected to play a vital role in the future of airport safety and security, YQF officials say Red Deer Regional Airport is excited to be a part of the innovative technology.