SkyBorne Drone Solutions

01/01/2025

I wanted to get 2025 started on a good note and had some time to do some video editing over the holidays. Here is another successful deer recovery from this past 2024 season I wanted to share.

I apologized to those from WV and PA who have contacted me to do a search this year and was not able to because laws within those states. Changes to the states legislature hopefully will happen in time for the fall 2025 season. I will keep everyone posted with updates as they occur.

The hunting season's are winding down but we are still here if you need us for those of you in MD & VA. Give us a call if you are having trouble located your deer.

SkyBorne Drone Solutions deer recovery mission with a Thermal Drone (DJI M30T) in Clarke County, VA during the Fall 2024 hunting season.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year to everyone!!! I would like to take a minute to thank all my customers this year for their support and wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year for 2025!!!

We will be here and continue to grow this year adding new services to better meet your needs and requests. Thanks again everyone.

12/11/2024

It's time for an update!!! Fall is a busy time and I haven't had a moment post any updates. So here we go. We have been wanting to increase the accuracy of our aerial mapping products and now have added a GNSS Base (Emlid RS2+) and Rover (Emlid RS3) for precisely measuring Ground Control Points (GCP's) and Checkpoints to create globally accurate maps of your property or construction site. This system allows us to provide RTK or PPK based solutions to accomplish centimeter level accuracy for 2D orthomosaic maps. We have also recently upgraded our computer systems here as well to provide local in house processing of the maps which adds to the security of clients sensitive collected data.

If you are in need of mapping products for planning or progress updates on your project, site, or property give us a call to schedule and develop a solution that fits your budget and needs.

10/07/2024

Recently a couple reached out to me that had lost their dog named “Genny” at the Sideling Hill Rest Area off of Interstate 68 East. They were traveling on their way home from vacation and stopped at the rest area. They opened the door to let their dog out and put the leash on her and the dog and it took off. The dog is skittish and definitely does not like the noise of the traffic on the highway. I told them I would be right out. The area is dense forest with steep terrain and would take time and patience complete. The story unfolds over the next 3 day’s and is a great example of teamwork, patience, and effort.

Wednesday September 25th:

I arrived around 11:00 am to meet the owners and evaluated the situation and weather. At this point the dog had been missing almost 24 hours. Due to low clouds and low visibility, I was not able to fly and conduct a search. I waited around for a while to see if the weather would improve, but it did not. It was decided to return the next day to attempt a search again.

Thursday September 26th:

I coordinated with the owners and we arrived at the location around 2:00 pm and the weather had improved from the day before. The dog had now been missing for 48 hours. I was able to now finally begin the search for Genny. We discussed the best plan and where to begin the search and got in the air and very meticulously began to search for her. We were finding birds, squirrels, deer and finally 2 hours into it, THERE SHE WAS!!!! I found Genny curled up and sleeping tucked in the dense forest. You can hear in the video the emotional moment for the owners when we found her. By this time, it was approximately 4:30 pm and it took about an hour for the owners to navigate the thick steep terrain to even get close to her. They were able to get within 30 yards and make visual contact with Genny. She definitely saw him and was wagging her tail but would not commit to coming to him. Now, it was beginning to get dark and the decision was made for the owner’s safety to start working there way back down off the mountain which they were unfamiliar with. When they reached the bottom, we discussed the situation and decided we would come back the next day and continue. I did do one final flight under darkness to confirm with the drone that Genny was still in the last location I had for her. The owners at least now know where Genny is and that she is unharmed and alive.

Friday September 27th:

The weather again was not cooperative with low clouds and visibility that did not allow for launching the drone. Genny has been missing for 72 hours at this point. Now armed with knowing the location and vicinity of Genny from Thursday evening, the owners along with a family member, and the assistance of Diana Swart with Friends of KC decided they would hike back up to the coordinates provided to see if they could locate and rescue her. If not, I would come out with the drone again the following day. About 4:00 pm my phone rang and it was the owner calling to tell me that they got Genny!!! She was a short distance up the mountain from where we found her on Thursday with the drone and they were able to secure her.

Thermal drones are just one tool in the tool bag, you also have dog tracker’s, trappers, and lost pet recovery groups, all of which work and have specific applications and strengths. Sometimes it takes more than one tool to successfully rescue your pet. I would also like to thank Diana Swart with Friends of KC who rearranged her schedule to assist the owners on the ground in the rescue of Genny.

SkyBorne Drone Solutions is here if you need us, so give us a call if you find yourself in a situation like this and don’t know where to begin. Finding and locating your lost pet is the beginning to developing a plan to bring them home quickly and safely.

10/04/2024

Good News!!!! Pennsylvania has introduced a new bill and hopefully PA will be added to the list of states to allow drones for the recovery of wild game in 2025 (see link to article below).

I am currently providing recovery services for the state of MD and VA.

https://www.lancasterfarming.com/country-life/outdoors/bill-introduced-to-allow-drone-use-to-recover-game-in-pennsylvania/article_1cf1b4b2-75ba-11ef-ab56-472f68560b7d.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawFtUdpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQ7KUS6mEfNcFWk4dh0w6Ojpj9_GJ70OiqEgWb2onOdiKKTrBRhMZMBomQ_aem_SdVd0cbCszVoWGHq7B2yUQ #:~:text=An%20incident%20last%20year%20that,for%20recovery%20of%20harvested%20game

An incident last year that led to charges against an individual using a drone to recover game has led to a bill to legalize the practice.

09/29/2024

With Drone Deer Recovery – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

09/10/2024

Fall hunting season is here and we're off to a good start, here's a quick preview of what we can do for you. When things don't go according to plan and your having trouble finding your deer or don't want to risk pressuring and pushing a wounded animal. Call and we will put thermal eye's in the sky to cover ground quickly and thoroughly to locate and help you recover your game. Good luck to everyone and we're here if you need us.

We officially have started the 2024 Thermal Drone Deer Recovery season with the first recovery in Urbana, MD on the morning of Saturday September 7th and her...

09/07/2024

Yesterday was the 2024 Maryland archery opener. This morning I received my first call for the 2024-2025 season doing thermal deer recovery. I headed to Urbana, MD just southeast of Frederick. After beginning the search the deer was not where the hunter expected, so I began grid searching and orbiting the woods and working my way outward from the shot location. We found bedded deer and squirrels pretty quick and verified they were not the deer we were searching for. Then about 50 minutes into the search, I found a deer laying on it's side. I descended to get a better view through the tree canopy and maneuvered to take a closer look, and there he was!!! Congratulations Holden as this was his first archery buck. It was an exciting time for us both and I was glad to be a part of the moment and help you recover your deer.

08/31/2024

UPDATE!!!!! The new website is now up and online. I recently finished the website and now you can go check out some of the projects we have been working on in the past couple months. You can also check out the current services we are offering. I will continue to update the website as projects continue to be added. Go check it out and bookmark and stop back regularly for new content.

https://skybornedronesolutions.com/

07/30/2024

This is a project where I created a 3D Model using a drone and photogrammetry (this is not a aerial video). This model was created from 636 2D images that are each geotagged with coordinates and elevations. The images are processed and stitched together to create a 2D map and a 3D model which you can zoom, pan, or click on to view a highly detailed image in a specific area. This is invaluable for doing inspections on buildings (especially roof's and high structures), or you can use the model/photos for marketing materials.

07/20/2024

Here is a residential home that SkyBorne Drone Solutions is currently providing construction progress services for in the next couple months. We can monitor, minimize errors, and provide invaluable progress photo's/video and data to the client, which are a few examples of the data and capabilities we can provide using a drone. Projects are processed in software, then available to the client and project users for online viewing of all images, models, and reports. Clients will be able to annotate, compare progress data, collaborate with other users, and download (export) all the information they choose in multiple formats.

The information on this post was captured after the foundation walls were set in place and the basement slab had just been poured. Here are examples of the information we can provide on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or a schedule of your choosing during the construction of your residential or commercial project.

1. Photo Reports - Images taken from owner requested locations on the site at the exact same altitude and camera angle summarized in a report.

2. Annotation Reports - This is a report of any annotations/discrepancies found or identified on the site/building by the owner/contractor.

3. Cut/Fill & Stockpile Reports - This report is a summary of cut/fill quantities and stockpile volumes which is extremely valuable for sites with grading changes before and during construction. These measurable changes can be identified and compared at the project monitoring interval selected.

4. Length, Area, Volume Tools – Within the project software, clients will have tools available to select and click anywhere on the 2D map such as linear dimensions, area, and stockpiles. The software will then automatically calculate those measurements.

4. Project Plan Overlays - Foundation Plan, Floor plans, Roof Plan or any plan of your choosing can be overlayed on your construction project. This is a valuable tool for verifying wall locations, plumbing/electrical stub-up's prior to pouring concrete, roof plan configurations and placement, and many other applications.

5. 2D Site Maps & Contours - Detailed and current updated maps of your construction site can be created showing elevations with contours for site runoff and drainage, and correct site placement for driveways and roads within a subdivision.

6. 3D Models and Fly Around Video - These models are great for overall real-time 3D view of your project from any perspective. This is great for sharing with clients and investors or a homeowner that is building and not local during the construction of their new home. This gives the ability to see what is happening without having to be there, saving time and costs associated with travel to the project site.

Contact us today if you have a current or upcoming project you would like to schedule for our Construction Progress monitoring services and we will provide a customized solution that works for your budget and needs.

07/17/2024

Update for SkyBorne Drone Solutions!!! I have been working hard behind the scenes here and wanted to provide an update as what has been going on. A couple weeks ago we purchased a Mavic 3E (Enterprise) drone with RTK. I will be finishing up a course next week with Clemson Drones in photogrammetry (using Drone Deploy software) and thermography to be able to generate Radiometric models. This will also give me a Level 1 UAS Thermography Certification to expand our services to include: Drone Mapping, 3D models, Construction Progress, Solar Panel/Array inspections and more detailed roof inspections. Soon I will be posting some of the projects I have been working on to give you examples of what we can do to provide value on current projects and planning for future projects that you may have. We will continue to add more equipment to our inventory to continue providing the best results for your project. Contact us at SkyBorne Drone Solutions to see what we can do for you.

06/09/2024

Safety is a priority for SkyBorne Drone Solutions and we are always training for new certifications and proficiency to ensure customers know they are getting professional services, regardless of how big or small the job may be. Give us a call to see what drone services we can help you with. We are adding new equipment/drones expanding the services we offer and increasing the quality of products to our customers.

06/06/2024

https://chng.it/YcvJbrVKJN

Stop the DFR and Countering CCP Bills from Harming Public Safety Drone Programs

05/29/2024

I have recently received a lot of questions when conducting Pet Rescue searches if we can find and identify animals when searching dense forest's with foliage. I produced this video in response from content during an actual pet search in Jefferson County, WV on May 17, 2024 in which I encountered these conditions. It is possible with time, dedication, patience, and skill. We are committed and dedicated to finding your lost pet regardless of how difficult the search conditions are and can navigate all the challenges to include: weather, topography, day or night.

I have recently received a lot of questions when conducting Pet Rescue searches if we can find and identify animals when searching dense forest's with foliag...