Pit & Quarry, August 2017

DRoNE SuPPlEMENt ERIc WARInnER Eric Warinner joined Luck Stone in 2013 as an excavator operator but transitioned into a unique position within the last year Now Warinner collects and analyzes data with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs across the companys crushed stone and sand and gravel sites in Virginia Chief UAV Pilot Luck Stone How did you make your way into the construction materials industry I enlisted straight out of high school I spent four years in an infantry unit and I was given the opportunity to be a Stryker operator The vehicle was more of a personnel carrier but it also had some weapons on it Eventually I decided I wanted to move out of the military lifestyle I started working at a landfill here in Richmond Virginia as an excavator operator I spent a year or two there but was ultimately looking for a better atmosphere When I began working at Luck Stone in 2013 at one of our quarry operations I knew right away that I had landed in a great spot While the nature of my work at the quarry varied I grew particularly interested in the rail component of our business which was where I was able to bring UAV usage into play I understand youre a drones hobbyist What can you tell us about that When UAVs and drones started to gain ground thats when I got into the remote control hobby I had a couple of my own aircraft I built a few but primarily used UAV technology for my photography interests How exactly did you bring UAVs into play at Luck Stone As a hobbyist I was flying one of mine around at the end of a workday while talking with my boss We had a great conversation about how we could utilize this technology at our sites to effectively put an eye in the sky From there I explored where this could be the most beneficial by considering our work to inspect equipment and how we might eliminate climbing into railroad cars with the use of this technology I enjoy having the freedom to try new things There isnt a cap to the potential of drone technology Whats the most challenging part of a UAV pilots job Staying on the tip of the technology curve We dont necessarily want to invest in everything We want to be a good steward of the companys money Also just trying to stay organized with the amount of data we have coming in is a challenge We meet on a regular basis to see how we can organize better because the amount of data produced is unreal Traveling and collecting everything is easier than sitting down and saying How are we going to best use this data What do you enjoy most about your job Having the freedom to try new things There isnt a cap to the potential of this technology FIVE THIngS FIRST InDUSTRY JOB McMurdy Excavating in Harrisville Pennsylvania HOBBIES Boating and photography SPORTS TEAMS Im not really a sports fan but being from Pennsylvania I watch the Steelers from time to time Plus its fun to be a Steelers fan if youre bashing on Cleveland Note Pit Quarry is based in Cleveland BOOK FAR AIM Federal Aviation Regulations Aeronautical Informational Manual 2017 TRAVEL SPOT Anywhere on the water I love being on the river here in Richmond Virginia and being on the beach S16 PIT QUARRY August 2017 pitandquarry com