airsight PCN Study for Luxembourg Airport using Drone-based Technology

Luxembourg Airport (LUX) contracted airsight to conduct a photographic documentation of the pavement conditions of all airport aprons, based on an aerial survey conducted by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The aim of the investigations was to support the determination of PCN (Pavement Classification Number) for each apron area to be published in Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) as well as to deliver detailed input information of actual pavement conditions.

To determine the overall surface condition and calculate the PCN according to ICAO/EASA, drone-based measurement surveys on all aprons of Luxembourg airport were necessary. The overall size of the measured aprons amounts to 430,000 m², making this the largest UAV survey project conducted by airsight yet.

For the photographic documentation using drone-based technology, the area per individual segment was about 15,000 m². During each UAV flight segment, the camera mounted on the UAV took 300 to 500 individual images with an average resolution of 3mm per pixel. Within the data post-processing, an orthophoto (undistorted, rectified and geo-referenced image) was generated from the inspection images for each apron. These images are intended to be used for planning of future maintenance and rehabilitation works on the apron areas.

The airsight project engineers responsible for UAV aerial inspections are highly experienced in the fields of airport planning, safety and flight operations. They have successfully worked with Luxembourg airport on several occasions before and thus were able to anticipate possible concerns and meet the requirements of the involved stakeholders (ATC, airport operator). Thanks to this professional relationship between airsight and the client, and to the high level of expertise of airsight’s project engineers, the aerial inspection was successfully finished within only a week, in coordination with active air traffic operations on taxiways and aircraft stands.

airsight has specialised in the operations of drones at aerodromes and is not only offering UAV-based infrastructure inspections but also assists operators and regulators in integrating drones in their airport operations. If you are interested in learning more about our Aerial Services Department, feel free to contact us!