Red Deer Regional Airport has teamed up with a Calgary company that specializes in using drones for runway inspections and other work.
One of Aerium Analytics’ first projects will be to use its unmanned aircraft vehicles to collect data from the air on the airport’s $2.6-million runway refurbishment that just got underway.
The drone will collect data to spot potential runway problems such as 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 airport CEO Graham Ingham in a statement.
The company plans to use its Red Deer airport experiences to help develop its technology, which it expects to see other airports adopt.
Ingham says the airport is pleased to be at the forefront of the new technology.
“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 has also used its technology, which includes the RoBird Robotic Falcon, for work in wildlife management and bird control at airports, including Edmonton International Airport.