Hi-tech aerial survey for church

Fourteenth century architecture met 21st century technology when a drone copter was used to survey historic St Thomas’s Church at Winchelsea.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Oct 2014, 05:06 BST
25/9/14- Ariel architectural survey at Winchelsea Church. The Drone Helicopter- 14th century architecture meets 21st century technology SUS-140925-14121500125/9/14- Ariel architectural survey at Winchelsea Church. The Drone Helicopter- 14th century architecture meets 21st century technology SUS-140925-141215001
25/9/14- Ariel architectural survey at Winchelsea Church. The Drone Helicopter- 14th century architecture meets 21st century technology SUS-140925-141215001

A crowd of onlookers gathered to watch the small quad-copter drone buzzing around the churchyard and tower like a busy insect surveying hard to reach areas.

It came about as a generous free demonstration by hi-tech company Advanced Aerial Imaging (AAi).

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Operated by remote control, the drone contains two motors and two sets of propellers on each of its four arms. It can hover and travel at speeds of 3.6 to 50 metres per second and is approximately 2ft high by 3ft wide.

25/9/14- Ariel architectural survey at Winchelsea Church. The Drone Helicopter- 14th century architecture meets 21st century technology SUS-140925-14121500125/9/14- Ariel architectural survey at Winchelsea Church. The Drone Helicopter- 14th century architecture meets 21st century technology SUS-140925-141215001
25/9/14- Ariel architectural survey at Winchelsea Church. The Drone Helicopter- 14th century architecture meets 21st century technology SUS-140925-141215001

A high definition video camera attached to its base was used to survey the church roof without Richard the architect needing to leave the ground. Instead he could watch the filming on the monitor screen while the drone buzzed around the church roof piloted by one of the AAi (Advanced Aerial Imaging) team.

The company was set up by ‘Chief Pilot’ Simon Dunn who has a background in flying helicopters and Boeing 747’s.

Simon explained to the audience the benefits of using an unmanned aerial vehicle for inspecting roofs. Currently the only way to make these inspections is by using scaffolding.

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However, this can be expensive and unsightly whereas the drone method means any elevated section can be inspected from the ground in greater detail, quickly and more cost effectively.

The technology is expensive (£20,000 for a drone) but daily hire costs can be reasonable depending on the structure involved. It was a free demo for the church which now has some exceptional images of the roof for future reference.