top of page
Aerial Ethos Logo

mapping the future
together

scroll down

Aerial Ethos is a professional aerial mapping, reality capture, and consulting business located in Portland, OR.  We provide accurate, reliable, and compelling drone imagery, maps, 2D/3D models, GIS services, and inspections across an array of business sectors.  With skilled pilots, enterprise equipment, and industry leading software, we leverage over 26 years of experience in the architectural, engineering, and construction industries to connect disparate teams, provide expert consulting, and bring the full power of spatial intelligence to your project, team, or business. Contact us today and see how we can map the future together. 

what we do

contour lines and topography created by drone
Drone image

Drone Mapping

  • Accurate & actionable​

  • Site analysis

  • Topography

  • Construction monitoring

  • Earthwork/aggregates volumetrics

  • Planimetrics

  • Visualize & validate

  • Measure & quantify

  • Coordinate & collaborate

  • Document & monitor

3D model of train trestle bridge
Drone image

Reality Capture/ Digital Twins

  • Digitize & Document:

    • Assets

    • Buildings

    • Infrastructure

    • Cultural heritage sites

    • Strutures

    • Natural places

    • Real estate

    • Architectural retrofits

  • Modernized inspections

  • Monitor and compare

  • Logistical planning

  • Capitol planning

GIS building layers
Drone image

CAD & GIS

  • CAD drawings and surfaces from drone data (planimetrics)

  • dxf, las, xml, csv, rch, kml 

  • site plans and interiors

  • High res base maps

  • Digitize buildings, sites, infrastructure

  • Modernized workflows

  • Spatial data and analytics

  • Consolidate data

  • Strategic planning

  • Track assets

  • Deploy resources

3D building for inspections
Drone image

 Visual Aerial 

Inspections

  • Roofs

  • Facades

  • Infrastructure

  • Asphalt

  • Insurance claims

  • Speed, versatility, and safety

  • High resolution 

  • Modernized workflow

  • Streamlined reporting

irimage.jpeg
Drone image

Infrared Aerial Inspections

  • Solar

  • Roofs

  • Facades

  • Industrial

  • Leak detection

  • Preventative maintenance

  • Energy performance

  • Envelope integrity validations

  • Due diligence  inspection

Aerial Photo of Oregon Coast
Drone image

Photography / Videography

  • Fine Art

  • Events

  • Real estate

  • Cinematography

  • Small productions

elios-2-1024x600_edited.jpg
Drone image

Confined

 

 

 

Space Inspections

  • GPS denied environments

  • Hazardous environments

  • Wastewater systems

  • Chimney stacks

  • Industrial environments

  • Environments denied to other robotic tools
Mike Liggett, owner of Aerial Ethos
Drone image

Consulting

  • Pre-construction 

  • Construction integration

  • Design assist

  • Best practices

  • Regulations

  • Drone hardware

  • Drone software

  • Photogrammetry

  • Geodetics & datums

  • Reality capture

  • Drone programs

  • GIS

  • Construction use cases

  • Business development

  • Project management

Watch our video below

Call us or send in inquiry today for more information, an initial consultation, or to learn about pricing and our no cost proposals.   

New to aerial imagery and mapping? Curious about certain terms and capabilities?  Check out our quick reference guide to answer your questions or have a look at some case studies see real world examples.

about us

about us

Photo of Mike Liggett, Owner of Aerial Ethos

Mike Liggett

Owner/Pilot

Mission: 

Provide accurate and engaging spatial intelligence through mapping and aerial imagery to enhance insight, decision making, and presence for businesses, institutions, and individuals.

​

Aerial Ethos started with a love of photography, a passion for technology, and a deep understanding of our built and natural environments.  Owner Mike Liggett is a construction professional of 26 years who has operated at the highest level of construction across multiple sectors.  He managed large complex commercial projects as a specialty subcontractor, built high-end custom homes in the mountains of Colorado, and managed successful teams in the construction of some of the most sustainable and healthy buildings in the world.  

​

Mike is highly skilled at developing systems that allow teams of complex projects to maximize efficiency and minimize costs. His commitment to transparency allows him to create a high level of trust with clients and a strong sense of teamwork among his colleagues. He also has a creative knack for leveraging software systems and technology, creating engaging and intuitive workflows for organizations.

​

In addition to Mike's extensive experience, he also holds several degrees and certifications which add to his expertise in the industries served.

  • FAA Part 107 Certified Pilot

  • Bachelors degree in Construction Management

  • Sustainable Homes Professional Certification

  • Permaculture Design Certification

  • In training

    • sUAS Thermography Certification

    • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

 

Outside of the office, Mike is an avid adventurer and is always looking for cold pacific northwest waters to swim long distances, a secret camp spot to go with his family, or an epic hike to soak in the views. 

​

Environmental Impact Statement:

Aerial Ethos is highly motivated to use our knowledge of drone technology in service of the natural world. We aim to partner with organizations gaining critical insights, and together we can analyze, design, build, inform, protect, and repair built and environmental assets. We are also proud to support non-profits in their endeavors by extending discounted rates.   

​

Disclaimer

Aerial Ethos is not a certified professional surveyor, and the information provided on this website should not be interpreted as such. Additionally, the information we provide to our clients should not be interpreted as legal boundaries, representations, or the primary system of record. In many circumstances this information can be coordinated with, and verified by, a licensed surveyor or the appropriate agency providing the primary systems of record.

reference guide

reference guide

  • Spatial Intelligence - is the concept of being able to successfully perceive and derive insight from visual data. This cognitive process is known as an aptitude for understanding visual information in the real and abstract word as well as an innate ability to envision information.

  • UA - unmanned aircraft (drones) 

  • sUAS - small unmanned aircraft system (the aircraft, the controls, the operators)

  • Aerial Imagery - any image or video captured from a vantage point above or elevated off of the ground.  With sUAS, safe, precise, efficient, automated image acquisition can be achieved with ease.

  • Drone mapping - the use of a sUAS to fly over a predetermined area capturing detailed images which are overlapped to create a mesh of data.  This can then be interpreted through photogrammetry and converted into 2d and 3d maps.

  • GIS - A geographic information system (GIS) is a system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like there). This provides a foundation for mapping and analysis that is used in science and almost every industry. GIS helps users understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context. The benefits include improved communication and efficiency as well as better management and decision making.

  • Photogrammetry - the science and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through the process of recording, measuring and interpreting photographic images and patterns.  WIth GPS built into UA's, images are geographically imprinted down to the pixel level and triangulated in relating to other pixels.  This allows computer software to create a 2d and 3d model accurately replicating points relative to one other.  A higher resolution camera will capture more pixels, therefore giving a more detailed and accurate result in the models. There are other factors which effect the accuracy, but this is a big one. 

  • Orthomosaic - The 2D output from a process where a number of overlapping photos (e.g. from a drone or aerial camera) are stitched together by photogrammetry software, where distortions are removed to create a complete and continuous image representation or map of a portion of the earth. This map is geo-referenced and depending on the acquisition techniques, can be accurate to within 1 cm.  From these maps, numerous analytics can be obtained, such as measurements, elevations, and detailed inspections.  

  • Digital Twin - a lifelike digital 3d replica of an object created through images captured by a UA and processed through a photogrammetry processing software. Digit twins have a bright future as they provide an intuitive and immersive experience for the end users.  They can be used to track assets over time showing trends. This can vastly improve an organizations insight into capitol planning, maintenance needs, inspections, trainings, promotional needs, reporting, etc.  So many uses, we can't wait to see what new ideas come up with digital twins. 

  • Building information modeling (BIM) - is a process supported by various tools, technologies and contracts involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of places. Building information models (BIMs) are computer files (often but not always in proprietary formats and containing proprietary data) which can be extracted, exchanged or networked to support decision-making regarding a built asset. BIM software is used by individuals, businesses and government agencies who plan, design, construct, operate and maintain buildings and diverse physical infrastructures, such as water, refuse, electricity, gas, communication utilities, roads, railways, bridges, ports and tunnels. The one awesome advantage of photogrammetry, is it can integrate with BIM systems to create lifelike models which is the icing on top of the computer generated reality.  

  • Point Cloud - is a set of data points in space. The points may represent a 3D shape or object. Each point position has its set of Cartesian coordinates (X, Y, Z).[1] Point clouds are generally produced by 3D scanners or by photogrammetry software, which measure many points on the external surfaces of objects around them. As the output of 3D scanning processes, point clouds are used for many purposes, including to create 3D CAD models for manufactured parts, for metrology and quality inspection, and for a multitude of visualization, animation, rendering and mass customization applications. Since point clouds can be accurately generated from aerial imagery, this info can be shared with other industry standard modeling softwares. 

contact us

contact

Do you have questions about services, pricing, or other? Do you have an idea on how to incorporate aerial imagery, drone mapping, digital twins, or other novel uses into your organization or personal use?  We would love to collaborate and see how we can help turn your ideas into reality.  Please give us a call or fill out the contact form.  

Portland, OR 97202

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page