GeoDataPoint interviews Sandilands about career
GeoDataPoint interviewed David Sandilands, an aerial survey pilot and remote sensing technician with the Barbara Wheatland Geospatial Analysis Laboratory in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine. Sandilands operates the university’s Cessna 172 aircraft and sUAS (small Unmanned Aerial Systems) platforms, helps develop materials for technical instruction of remote sensing applications, and collaborates with members of the campus community and external stakeholders on geospatial-related research and development projects, the article states. Sandilands also has worked as a commercial airline pilot and certified flight instructor. “Geospatial technology has become a new ‘cornerstone’ for forestry professionals to effectively manage forest resources,” said Sandilands. “The overarching goal of my work is to support the advancement of essential geospatial skills for forestry students and industry professionals to help them achieve their resource management objectives.” The biggest lesson he’s learned on the job is “the need to practice effective time management.” Sandilands told GeoDataPoint he enjoys how every day at his job has the potential for new learning experiences, and that keeping up with advancements in technology is a challenge but he is eager to see what they will bring to the field.