Experience

Aerial Survey Manager

Sep 2024 - Present
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

Summary

As an Aerial Survey Manager, I lead a team focused on delivering high-precision aerial surveys and inspections across the oil, gas, energy, and utility sectors. My expertise lies in integrating advanced drone technologies, including Lidar and photogrammetry, to create digital twin solutions that provide detailed and actionable insights. I am committed to maintaining high operational standards while driving safety, efficiency, and innovation in every project. I also focus on delivering expert training to our pilots to ensure top-tier performance and compliance with industry standards.

Achievements:

Successfully integrated Lidar and photogrammetry technologies for the development of digital twin solutions.

Delivered industry-leading training to pilots and staff, resulting in a highly skilled team with expertise in aerial inspections and operational safety.

Developed and implemented comprehensive flight risk assessment protocols, improving mission safety and ensuring compliance with aviation and sector-specific regulations.

Responsibilities:

Lead a team of pilots and ground staff to execute aerial surveys and inspections in the oil, gas, and energy sectors, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality data collection.

Integrate advanced drone technologies such as Lidar and photogrammetry to develop digital twin solutions that enhance project outcomes and improve asset management and monitoring.

Conduct high-precision inspections of infrastructure and facilities, including pipelines, power lines, refineries, and energy plants, using aerial mapping technologies to ensure detailed and accurate assessments.

Implement rigorous quality control measures to guarantee data integrity and project accuracy across all survey and inspection operations.

Coordinate closely with clients to understand specific needs in sectors such as oil, gas, energy, and utilities, delivering customized aerial solutions that meet industry demands.

Ensure full compliance with aviation regulations, safety protocols, and operational procedures during all survey and inspection missions, upholding the highest standards of safety.

Drive continuous improvement by evaluating and optimizing survey and inspection processes, adopting innovative technologies, and incorporating client feedback for better results.

Develop and implement comprehensive flight risk assessment protocols to ensure safe and efficient operations during field missions.

Sr. RPAS Pilot

Feb 2023 - Aug 2024
Oman

Summary

As a dynamic and results-oriented professional, I led VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) and EVLOS (Extended Visual Line of Sight) operations, focusing on safety, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance. My expertise extends to conducting advanced aerial inspections, including Overhead Line (OHL) inspections, utilizing innovative drone technologies. I am dedicated to maintaining high standards of safety while fostering team development and operational excellence.

Achievements:

Spearheaded the first-ever seismic operation in the Middle East using drone technology, establishing a significant milestone in the region.

Successfully led numerous VLOS and EVLOS operations, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

Developed comprehensive surveying and inspection guidelines that improved operational protocols.

Responsibilities:

Successfully led VLOS & EVLOS operations, prioritizing safety and operational efficiency.

Conducted comprehensive Overhead Line (OHL) inspections using advanced aerial mapping technologies, ensuring detailed and efficient assessments.

Proficient in Lidar, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), and 2D/3D mapping utilizing GCP, RTK, and PPK methods.

Provided mentorship and training to junior team members on GIS and drone operational best practices.

Maintained strict adherence to Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) protocols and Life Saving Rules (LSR), fostering a culture of safety within the team.

Contributed to the development of comprehensive surveying and inspection guidelines. Executed thorough risk assessments, maintained pre/post-mission logs, and conducted detailed safety briefings.

Ensured compliance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations and remained updated on the latest drone-related regulations and technological advancements.

Aircraft Simulator Engr

May 2021 - Feb 2022
Pakistan

Summary

As an Aircraft Simulator Engineer, I directed a skilled team of technicians and engineers in the maintenance and development of various aircraft simulators, including fighter, cargo, and trainee aircraft models. My efforts focused on overhauling and upgrading simulator systems, significantly enhancing their performance and functionality. I introduced innovative methodologies for creating vision projection systems and worked with advanced communication data protocols, further elevating the overall simulation experience.

Responsibilities:

Led a team of Technicians/Engineers in performing maintenance and development tasks on Simulators

Conducted maintenance and up-gradation of multiple Aircraft Simulators

Created multiple simulators out the window projection systems using innovative methodologies

Handled communication data protocols like DDS, TCP, UDP, and CIGI

Utilized Xplane and Rockwell Collins simulator to integrate custom databases/IG

Achievements:

Improved the performance and functionality of multiple Aircraft Simulators

Designed seamless vision projection systems for enhanced user experience

Sr. UAV System Engineer | Drone Pilot

UAS Global | Dec 2017 - May 2021
Pakistan

Summary

A seasoned Senior UAV System Engineer and Drone Pilot with extensive experience in UAV and UCAV design, field operations, and drone-based surveying. Specializing in UAV development for surveillance, reconnaissance, and mapping, I led the creation of cutting-edge UAV prototypes, including the flying wing UCAV ZF-VIPER and the fixed-wing UAV Skywalker. I have a strong background in Flight Dynamic Modeling, autonomous flight control systems, and UAV customization for specific applications, ensuring optimized flight performance and efficient field operations. Proficient in using advanced tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, Pix4D, and Reality Capture, I’m dedicated to delivering precise and high-quality results.

Achievements:

Delivered an indigenous, cost-effective system design for the organization, enhancing internal UAV capabilities.

Improved PID tuning flexibility, providing optimized flight controllers for diverse mission types.

Successfully managed numerous drone mapping projects, delivering top-quality survey data, including land shapes, contours, and precise dimensions.

Enhanced data processing efficiency through the use of industry-leading software, increasing accuracy and workflow speed.

Recognized for troubleshooting equipment performance, minimizing downtime, and maximizing operational efficiency across all drone activities.

Responsibilities:

Led the design of the flying wing UCAV (ZF-VIPER) for surveillance and reconnaissance.

Developed the fixed-wing UAV (Skywalker) for surveillance and mapping, optimizing performance for specific project needs.

Implemented autonomous flight control systems with Flight Dynamic Modeling, enhancing system efficiency and flight stability.

Integrated flight gear with MATLAB/Simulink to fine-tune PID parameters, ensuring optimal flight controller performance.

Developed a Python-based auto-tuner for PID optimization, improving system adaptability across various missions.

Led field operations for drone mapping and surveying, overseeing logistics and ensuring smooth flight operations.

Customized UAVs to meet specific project requirements, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of fieldwork.

Conducted GCP surveys using GPS GNSS technology to achieve precise data collection.

Utilized advanced software such as Pix4D and Reality Capture to process data, producing highly accurate maps and surveys.

Coordinated with teams and managed flight operations, ensuring safety while maintaining productivity.

SR. RPAS Pilot

Feb 2021 – Aug 2024 | Oman

Overview

I have more than 1300 flight hours in Oman and have worked with a number of companies (both local and international) during this period of my employment with ESBAAR. The following list includes the unique and vital projects I performed forthe drone industry:

Ground Penetrating Radar(GPR).I am Oman’s first drone pilot to begin operations with GPR. With the help of the M300, I tested and integrated GPR, and the outcomes were remarkable. The combination of GPR technology with drones is a cutting-edge innovation, allowing forremote and efficient data collection, analysis and mapping of underground structures.

Magnetometer Sensor UCGS, used forthe detection of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO).

Innova HyperQ is a 3rd party payload which I used in Seismic operation

YellowScan Lidar used for point cloud mesh

Overview

Throughout my careerin the Pakistan Air Force, I have successfully finished a number of IG and FDM deployment and upgrade projects. I worked on the C-130 cargo plane full flight simulator(FFS), the T-37 part task trainer simulator(PTT), the IL-78 part task trainer simulator(PTT), the ZDK-KE03 high fidelity simulator(FFS), as well as the K-8 and F7P fighterjet simulators.