Monarch Drone Zone

**Unmanned aircraft operation in Bodie is often restricted due to potential damage to historic structures.  This shoot was conducted under special permit and monitoring by CA State Parks.**

Close-up flythrough of the 3D render of the Water Tank Shed at Bodie, using georectified data from the photography taken by Monarch’s custom-built drone (UAV). 

Image composite of Bodie water tanks from data collected by aerial survey with a Monarch drone.

The Monarch UAV waits patiently in the silence of early morning. Flights at Bodie were taken under the Californa State Park’s COA from the Federal Aviation Administration naming Monarch as partner, and took place before the park opened at 9am to the public. 

The large drone descends from its flight like a visitor from the future to this preserved historic town.

Destination reached (almost!)

The Monarch team worked with Nicola Lecari from the University of California, Merced, to map the New Hoist structure. The UC Merced team 3d scanned the structure inside and out. The two sets of data were georectified using GPS markers and a 3D model created with Pix4D.

The Monarch team ticks off the flight preparations list, including GPS signal strength, waypoint readings and wind speed checks.

California droughts have accelerated the deterioration of Bodie’s original timber structures, and the important New Hoist may not last the winter. Capturing data about this structure is vital to preserving the history of Bodie.

The houses on the town’s Main Street remain as the inhabitants left them, many with plates and saucers still on the tables. 

The team check the data gathered from the Monarch drone’s first flight over the Main Street area. 

Bodie town’s Main Street features a General Store and Hotel, while side street gems include a preserved gymnasium. The interiors of each structure are full of original artefacts of Bodie life. 

Due to the harsh weather and natural aging process, many structures at Bodie are in danger of collapsing.