Here is an interesting article from a drone owner who is providing volume calculations but doesn't feel a survey license is necessary. I think this is a very slippery slope. I don't think our profession is based on our ability to accurately measure alone, but licensure dues help to ensure the public is protected in this area. Here is a case where a user thinks he knows better than the state board because he's a software developer and had done a lot of "quality control." He may be correct and his results may be accurate, but there is little doubt he is probably breaking a surveying law in some states.
I think we are going to all be battling this a lot more as the technology becomes more widely available and software easier to use. A joe-schmoe citizen with no education or training in photogrammetry or even ground control, has a $500 drone a whiz-bang software package starts providing a volume calculation (and eventually mapping) to the public.
I have very strong opinions about this automated photogrammetry software and its potential for misuse by uninformed drone owners who may over state it's capabilities. I think it poses a legitimate threat to public welfare.
http://www.lidarmag.com/content/view/11676/198/
Thoughts?
From the article: "on the one hand, a photogrammetrist would be trained to recognize, for example, that camera focal length is highly correlated with vertical scale. On the other hand, a PLS (one who was not grandfathered in to licensure prior to GNSS surveying) would know how to interpret an Online Positioning User Service (OPUS) report from the National Geodetic Survey. It is actually rare to find both of these skills in a single person not trained in this particular process."
I find that rather insulting. I must be rare because I'm quite competent in both? I suspect most members here are too. Although licensure requirements for what Mr. Graham's company is doing varies widely by State (http://www.asprs.org/a/society/divisions/ppd/State_Licensure_Map/State_Licensure_Map.html&apos ;">Clicky), he'd better not be performing work in my State or he'll run afoul of the law: "Land surveying defined: A person, including any person employed by the state or by a city, county, or city and county within the state, practices land surveying within the meaning of this chapter who, either in a public or private capacity, does or offers to do any one or more of the following: [ . . . ] (b) Determines the configuration or contour of the earthÛªs surface, or the position of fixed objects above, on, or below the surface of the earth by applying the principles of mathematics or photogrammetry."
Articles in trade magazines are primarily puffery of firms and equipment suppliers and a first reading of his article suggests his is also, but I've dug a little into his assertion that licensing is not necessary for the services he performs and found his point has been under consideration for at least 12 years. See article http://www.pobonline.com/articles/88591-from-the-ground-up-photogrammetry-surveying-and-the-model-law&apos ;">From the Ground Up: Photogrammetry, surveying and the Model Law. Until the laws are changed in the State(s) where he practices that require licensure, the PLS community should report him (and any others who have the same attitude) to their respective Licensing Boards. Not because he's doing a lousy job (the theme of his article is he's doing a great job), but because jacklegs may sprout up who buy a drone and go into business without a clue. Those are the real targets of the licensure laws.
I've no qualms about owners measuring their stockpiles etc., by whatever means using their own resources; they assume the risk for errors and make the decisions about cost/reward business issues. But those who offer services to do so better meet State licensing requirements. Another slap in the face is quote: "I feel that their desires would be fulfilled by simply providing a name associated with a PLS." Yes, Mr. Graham, you could fulfill statutory requirements by hiring a jackleg PLS who'll blind stamp your deliverables once a week for a few bucks. But I suspect "their desires" actually are that earthwork, topographic and photogrammetric (GIS?) services which locate things in an authoritative manner be under the supervisory control of an LS (or PE?) in order to protect the public from the bottom dwellers who may enter the market.
Mike Marks, post: 356199, member: 1108 wrote: Mr. Graham's company is doing varies widely by State (http://www.asprs.org/a/society/divisions/ppd/State_Licensure_Map/State_Licensure_Map.html&apos ;">Clicky), he'd better not be performing work in my State or he'll run afoul of the law:
Good link. Indeed, his company is located in Alabama, one of the more strict states in the nation with respect to licensing requirements for photogrammetric services. Simply providing an orthophoto appears to be a violation, let alone authoritative quantity measurements. If I were located in Alabama I would certainly be expressing my concern with his companies behavior.
Indeed, a search of the Alabama licenses yields no registration for his company.
Got to love the last few paragraphs of the faa exemtion under paragraph 4. starting on page 10. https://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/333_authorizations/media/AirGon-LLC-12604.pdf
Apparently there's no wiggle room concerning the pilot's FAA licensure requirements: "Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driverÛªs license."
The firm's licensure requirements to offer land surveying services, meh, not so much.
Surfed their website and it appears their main business model is supplying hardware and software to do it yourself mining companies. But, they are offering services which clearly are land surveying:
Consulting services to assist clients with deploying and using sUAS micro metric mapping systems:
Mission Planning
Placing survey targets
Data acquisition
Data processing
Data accuracy assessment
Analytics and derivative product generation
From the current Alabama LS Statutes:
[INDENT=1]"(8) PRACTICE OF LAND SURVEYING. Professional services, including, but not limited to, consultation, project coordination, investigation, testimony, evaluation, planning, mapping, assembling, and interpreting reliable scientific measurements and information relative to the location, size, shape, areas, volumes, or physical features of the earth, improvements on the earth, the space above the earth, or any part of the earth, and the utilization and development of these acts and interpretation into an orderly survey map, plan, report, description, or project. Project coordination shall include the coordination of those technical submissions as prepared by others."[/INDENT]
[INDENT=1][ . . . ]
"d. Determines the configuration or contour of the surface of the earth or the position of fixed objects thereon by measuring lines and angles and applying the principles of mathematics or photogrammetry."[/INDENT]
[INDENT=1][ . . . ][/INDENT]
[INDENT=1]"Practice of engineering and land surveying regulated. No person in either public or private capacity shall practice or offer to practice
engineering or land surveying, unless he or she shall first have submitted evidence that he or she is qualified so to practice and shall be licensed by the board as hereinafter provided."[/INDENT]
[INDENT=1] [/INDENT]
Alabama statutes are easily understood and pretty standard fare nationwide. Airgon's website offerings at the least violate Statute, and actual performance of LS activities if discovered is another nail in their coffin. I suggest either an Alabama LS, or better, the Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors submit a complaint to the Alabama Board of Licensure concerning Airgon's offer of services and/or actual surveying activities with no LS on board, the sooner the better.
http://www.bels.alabama.gov/pdf/complaints/Complaint%20Form.pdf&apos ;">Complaint Form
[INDENT=1] [/INDENT]
I didn't read the article, but have an observation to share. I sat in on a Sitech technology presentation a few months back. They aren't real interested in selling drones. They are more interested in selling this same service. What I took away from it was that they are locked , loaded and ready to go as soon as the FAA makes a decision. Another interesting tidbit, most of the Sitech people that I know more closely resemble a certified diesel mechanic than a licensed surveyor.