The First Quadcopters
You can’t avoid reading news about drones these days and it’s not always favourable coverage. You’d be forgiven for thinking that quadcopters are a modern invention but actually the first one ever invented was in 1920. It was a piloted craft invented by Etienne Omnichen and it made over 1000 successful flights. This was the forerunner for it’s unmanned relatives that are taking photography and videography to new heights today.
The first commonly acknowledged use of the word ‘drone’ was in 1936 where remote controlled airplanes were used for target practice in the US navy and that’s pretty much where they stayed until the 1960s where the use of unpiloted aircraft for various purposes became more popular. Of course it is in the last decade when the full potential of these light and agile flying machines has begun to be realised and they can really offer some exciting new opportunities, but it’s interesting to know how far back their roots stretch.
Photogrammetry For Roof inspections, Solar Panels, and Hard-To-Reach Assets: A Technical Approach
Photogrammetry for roofs, solar panels, and complex vertical structures requires far more precision than standard terrain mapping. This post from explores why traditional workflows fall short and how operators can use tools such as terrain-following, custom camera profiles, circlegrammetry, and automated vertical scanning to achieve consistent results. Packed with real-world examples and scientific validation, it provides a practical technical guide to improving model accuracy, mission repeatability, and inspection efficiency across challenging commercial environments.Capturing quality photogrammetry data from vertical and elevated structures remains one of the trickier challenges in commercial drone operations. Traditional surveying workflows fail here. Kristaps Brass, Product Owner at UgCS, has spent years working with operators who tackle these missions daily. Solar farms, building facades, communication towers, dam inspections. The pattern is consistent: manual flying burns time and money, and processed models show gaps where critical details should be. This article covers what actually works, based on field-tested methods and real operator feedback.
IEC 62446 Solar String Testing Now Available
Drone Media Imaging now offers certified IEC 62446-compliant solar string testing, delivering complete electrical diagnostics for commercial PV systems. This new service verifies string integrity, insulation, voltage, current, and performance using advanced I-V curve tracing and Fill Factor analysis. Ideal for commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance, our testing supports safety, compliance, and ROI assurance. Combined with thermal imaging, we offer a powerful dual-inspection approach. Book today to ensure your solar array is operating safely, efficiently, and within international performance standards.
Level 3 Thermography Reporting Project – 3 Multi-Storey Residential Blocks
We supported a large thermal inspection project across three residential buildings by providing certified Level 3 thermographic reporting based on drone data collected by the client. Using a protocol we developed, they captured radiometric thermal images, which we analysed remotely to identify heat loss, glazing issues, and roof moisture indicators. This collaborative approach showcases how our clients can carry out surveys independently, while we deliver professional-grade thermographic interpretation and reporting — cost-effectively and without needing site access.
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