Share | 09/04/2024
In November 2023, the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Department of Finney County, located in the state of Kansas, acquired the AgEagle eBee X drone with the Aeria X camera to elevate its mapping capabilities and address the county’s extensive geographical challenges.
Operating under FAA Part 107 regulations, the eBee X is currently the only drone in the United States authorized to fly over people (OOP) and moving vehicles (OOMV) without requiring a waiver. This unique approval gives the department more flexibility compared to other drones, which require extra permissions.
“Our main objective in purchasing the eBee X was to enhance our ability to map large areas more efficiently”, explains Tom Marchant, a GIS technician at Finney County. With a population of 37,650 and an expansive area of 3,375 km², Finney County presents significant mapping challenges that require advanced tools.
The eBee X drone can cover up to 1,235 acres (500 hectares) in one flight with a single battery, making it perfect for the department’s big project of mapping the entire city.
Among the seven camera options available for the eBee X, the department chose the Aeria X, a 24 MP RGB camera for precision mapping. “The resolution and clarity of the images it captures are phenomenal,” Marchant adds.
“Since our first flight in December 2023 we have been very impressed with the eBee X durability, endurance, and its ability to fly inconspicuously. When the drone is cruising through the air it looks like a natural bird and the noise pollution is next to none,” says Marchant.
The GIS Department supports many county and city services, such as public works, appraisals, communications, and utilities. Since they started using the eBee X, the department has completed several important projects that show the drone’s versatility:
“With the eBee X we can fly further, longer, and faster. This provides us with the opportunity to take on the mammoth project of mapping our entire city,” explains Marchant. “We estimate that, with favorable wind conditions and lighting, we can complete the city mapping with the eBee X drone in 14 days by maintaining visual line of sight and flying in quarter-mile sections.”
When this project is completed, it will provide big benefits for property appraisals, parcel mapping, and public access to maps. The standard flight settings include flying at 365 feet above takeoff (ATO), with a 70% overlap in an interlaced flight pattern at 0.90 inches (2.2 cm) per pixel. This ensures the highest quality and accuracy for the maps.
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