Some of our Favorite Projects
Narwhal Monitoring
At Aeria Solutions, we are proud subcontractors dedicated to supporting crucial narwhal research efforts in the Arctic. Our core responsibilities include meticulous collection and management of behavioral data, especially during the critical shipping season when narwhals gather in northern waters.
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Our Role Includes
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Special Flight Operation Certificates (SFOCs): Preparation and securing of essential regulatory approvals.
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RPAS System Testing: Rigorous testing and validation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.
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Systematic Data Collection: Precise and consistent gathering of behavioral and ecological data.
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Data Management: Detailed organization of aerial data and flight paths.
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Team Coordination: Close communication with biology and statistical analysis teams.
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Challenges
This project presents numerous unique challenges, including developing specialized methodologies tailored to the sensitive and remote Arctic environment, implementing advanced technologies for improved data accuracy and individual narwhal identification, and managing operations under extreme weather conditions. These factors have tested the resilience of our operators and equipment, driving continuous improvement in our operational strategies and technical capabilities.
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Commitment to Excellence
Our dedicated team routinely spends weeks in remote and harsh environments, managing operations amid unpredictable weather conditions. Despite these challenges, we remain deeply committed and grateful for the opportunity to support such vital ecological research. We look forward to ongoing collaboration, ensuring the continued protection of narwhals and the Arctic ecosystem.
Pinniped Research
Aeria Solutions proudly collaborates with a nonprofit organization representing three First Nations groups to support pinniped (seal and sea lion) research and conservation efforts. Our role centers on the development and implementation of rigorous protocols, comprehensive training programs, detailed field guides, and robust safety measures tailored specifically for drone-based pinniped population research.
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Our Role Includes
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Protocol Development: Creating effective research methodologies that ensure compliance with marine mammal disturbance regulations.
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Permit Preparation: Assisting in preparing comprehensive marine mammal disturbance permits to facilitate research approvals.
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Training Programs: Conducting specialized training sessions to equip field teams with essential skills for drone operations around sensitive pinniped habitats.
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Accessible Field Guides: Designing clear, user-friendly resources and guides to ensure successful and consistent field operations.
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Safety Controls: Establishing thorough safety standards and operational guidelines to protect personnel and wildlife during data collection activities.
Challenges
Key challenges in this initiative include navigating complex regulatory requirements surrounding marine mammal disturbances, developing easy-to-adopt research methodologies, and ensuring that operational tools and procedures are practical and accessible for diverse field teams. Our approach emphasizes user-friendliness and adoption, addressing these challenges by focusing on simplicity without compromising data quality or compliance.
Commitment to Adoption and Quality
We are deeply committed to creating protocols and tools that are not only effective but also readily adoptable by field researchers. By emphasizing ease of use, operational safety, and high-quality outcomes, we support sustained engagement and ongoing success in pinniped conservation and research.
Legacy Mine LiDAR
Aeria Solutions conducted specialized LiDAR mapping of a legacy mining site, providing precise, high-resolution data critical for client needs and environmental assessments. This project required meticulous attention to Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) due to the rigorous standards set by the client.
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Our Role Includes
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LiDAR Mapping: High-quality, manually flown LiDAR data acquisition tailored specifically to challenging terrain conditions.
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HSE Management: Seamless integration of our robust HSE protocols with the client's stringent requirements, ensuring comprehensive compliance without additional operational burden.
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Skilled Piloting: Deployment of specialized piloting techniques for manual flight operations, essential for navigating extreme terrain and capturing accurate, detailed data.
Challenges
The extreme terrain conditions presented significant challenges, demanding highly skilled piloting and precision manual flights. The rigorous HSE requirements from the client could have posed substantial operational hurdles. However, our established HSE standards allowed for effortless alignment and integration, ensuring smooth, safe, and effective project execution.
Commitment to Quality and Safety
Our commitment to quality data collection, combined with our uncompromising dedication to safety and environmental compliance, enabled us to efficiently deliver the project's outcomes. The successful completion of this LiDAR mapping initiative underscores our capabilities in handling demanding conditions and stringent client requirements with professionalism and precision.
Seabirds Mapping
Aeria Solutions successfully conducted an extensive gull census covering over 60 sites along the coastal interior. This large-scale seabird mapping initiative provided critical ecological data to support environmental management and conservation efforts.
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Our Role Includes
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Comprehensive Census: Systematic data collection across diverse coastal locations, accurately documenting gull populations and distribution.
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Multimodal Logistics: Coordination and effective use of various transportation methods including vehicles, boats, and drones to efficiently access and survey remote sites.
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Airspace Permissions: Obtaining necessary approvals across diverse airspace classifications to ensure regulatory compliance.
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Minimizing Disturbance: Implementation of specially designed protocols to minimize disturbance to sensitive bird populations during data collection.
Challenges
The logistical complexity of navigating over 60 geographically dispersed coastal sites posed significant challenges. Coordinating multiple transportation modes, securing diverse airspace permissions, ensuring minimal wildlife disturbance, and maintaining high-quality data collection required meticulous planning, adaptive operational strategies, and skilled execution.
Commitment to Quality and Environmental Stewardship
Our dedication to delivering precise ecological data while prioritizing environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance ensured the project's successful completion. Through detailed planning and execution, we provided valuable insights that contribute significantly to seabird conservation and ecological research efforts.
