FLIGHT PATHS: The ReOC Advantage and Expanding Drone Capabilities
After acquiring his Remote Pilot License (RePL), Gledhill was motivated to pursue the Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) to avoid the restrictions he faced in his previous career as an A Class Electrician. By obtaining the ReOC, Scott was able to nurture and expand HD Imagery.
These qualifications have directly influenced the development and expansion of services offered by HD Imagery, particularly in industrial aerial inspections and digital twin 3D photogrammetry. Gledhill’s extensive experience working on some of Australia’s largest resource and energy projects, combined with these qualifications, has allowed HD Imagery to implement positive change in the resources, energy, and utilities sectors. The ability to capture and quickly process large amounts of data, delivering it in easy-to-navigate datasets, is a significant advantage.
One of his milestone projects, Gledhill recalls, was capturing construction milestone events for a large scale AU$6 billion project in Australia’s North West. This wouldn’t have been possible without the necessary qualifications such as RePL, ReOC, Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate (AROC), and other site requirements like MSIC and inductions.
In Gledhill’s view, the most significant benefits that drone technology, empowered by RePL and ReOC certifications, brings to the oil, gas, mining, and engineering industries are the reduced safety risks to employees and contractors, reduced costs of labour and production losses, and time savings. The drone’s ability to repeat accurate flight missions periodically also ensures consistent and comparable data.
In light of his experiences, Gledhill shared some advice for professionals considering obtaining a Remote Pilot License (RePL) and Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC). He warns against the pitfall of “all the gear and no idea,” where individuals invest in equipment and software but fail to obtain the necessary training and approvals. Gledhill emphasizes that equipment and software are “only two parts of the puzzle”. Obtaining the right training, qualifications, and approvals and implementing effective workflows are crucial for success in this field. Moreover, upholding safety and compliance standards requires considerable dedication and process implementation. He’s heard countless stories of people flying drones near major airports or above private residences without the appropriate permissions, which can lead to serious consequences.
To ensure his skills and knowledge remain cutting-edge in this rapidly evolving field, Gledhill maintains open channels of communication with clients and vendors, attends relevant conferences and trade shows, and actively seeks feedback.
Gledhill finds joy in his drone-centered business, cherishing that “every day is not the same as the last because we are always meeting new people and able to explore new places”. When asked about the future of his industry, Gledhill remarked, “All I can say for sure is that the drone industry will be a lot bigger than what it currently is!”