The architecture, engineering, and construction industries have moved well past proof-of-concept drone deployments. The question now is how to embed aerial data collection into core workflows in ways that drive real operational value: better planning, tighter quality control, faster decision-making, and measurable cost impact. This session brings together practitioners from general contractors, engineering firms, and technology providers to share how they’re doing exactly that. Presentations span a range of applications including lidar-driven crane planning and logistics simulation, AI-powered change detection on large construction sites, facade inspection and concrete deck documentation, and how a major engineering firm built an internal UAS program capable of delivering consistent, high-quality data at scale. Across all presentations, the emphasis is on actionable workflows and transferable lessons rather than technology showcases, giving AEC professionals a practical roadmap for expanding how drone data supports their own projects and organizations.
The following presentations will be shared in this session:
Aerial Accuracy: Concrete & Façade Analysis
Presented by Carter Mahnke and Christopher Gibbs, Findorff
Findorff is a 135‑year‑old Wisconsin‑based general contractor with projects ranging from multifamily housing to healthcare and higher education. As a builder that self‑performs key scopes of work, Findorff has integrated drones to streamline workflows and deliver high‑accuracy data directly into the construction process. This presentation highlights two case studies—concrete deck overlays and exterior façade inspections—demonstrating how Pix4D outputs enhance field coordination, strengthen quality control, and support faster, more informed decision‑making.
Case Study: How AECOM Built a Robust Internal UAS Program from End-to-End
Presented by David Cole, FlyFreely, and John Knowlton, AECOM
John Knowlton VP of Geospatial Data at AECOM and Dr. David Cole, Co-Founder and CEO of FlyFreely, will use their presentation to uncover how AECOM has successfully built a large internal UAS program delivering actionable high-quality data on a daily basis. In this conversation, they will uncover the secrets to not only starting an internal UAS program in a large corporation but also how to build a robust end-to-end UAS program that consistently delivers quality data to internal users.
AI-Driven Change Detection for Construction Sites: Leverage Drone Imagery and Photogrammetry to Monitor Relevant Changes
Presented by Arnaud Durante, Bentley Systems
Large construction sites generate a constant stream of difficult-to-answer questions: how are stockpile volumes changing week to week, is construction tracking against the plan, and are expensive equipment and cranes still earning their keep on site? This presentation uses the Penn-Chem Appalachia construction site as a central case study to show how regular drone imagery captures are being transformed into geo-registered Gaussian Splats at unlimited scale, making even the finest site elements visible to decision makers. AI-driven change detection then automatically highlights relevant movements between captures, enabling faster, more accurate site assessments and delivering a continuously updated digital twin accessible to all project stakeholders. Attendees will leave with a practical understanding of how this workflow compresses assessment timelines and elevates the quality of construction intelligence available to project teams.
Using Aerial Lidar to Build Next-Level Interactive Crane & Logistics Plans
Presented by Mark Bangs and Nicholas Reynolds, Dimeo Construction Company
As construction sites become increasingly complex, the need for accurate, up-to-date existing conditions data is critical for safe and efficient crane planning and logistics sequencing. This presentation demonstrates how our team integrates aerial lidar data captured with the DJI Matrice 300 RTK paired with the DJI Zenmuse L2 to generate highly accurate existing grade models that directly inform crane placement, swing radius studies, haul routes, laydown planning, and progress logistics simulations.
We will walk attendees through our full workflow — from field capture to interactive logistics modeling — highlighting practical implementation strategies that can be replicated across commercial construction, infrastructure, and large-scale site development projects.
