Female construction worker in safety vest and helmet operating a drone with a tablet near a large highway bridge, with digital drone interface graphics overlayed on the scene.

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The Sky’s the Limit: Pioneering Aerial Innovations with Alicia McConnell

Imagine a drone hovering beneath a massive bridge, capturing detailed images of
structural elements that were once impossible to inspect safely. For Alicia McConnell,
this isn’t just a futuristic vision, it’s her reality. As an aerial technology advisor at
Rawlins Infrastructure Consult, Alicia is leading the charge in transforming
infrastructure management with drones. Her journey from a junior engineer to a
pioneer in aerial innovation is a testament to the power of curiosity, bold decisions,
and a passion for exploration.

Passion Takes Flight

Alicia’s career began conventionally enough. After graduating from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), she set her sights on becoming an outstanding project manager. But a personal passion for aviation altered her trajectory. Earning her private pilot’s license was meant to be a personal milestone, but it soon led to an unexpected opportunity.

“I had just passed my FAA checkride when an email popped up asking if anyone was interested in joining the drone program,” Alicia recalls. “It was a split-second decision that changed everything.”

With her pilot’s license in hand, she dove into the world of drone technology—at a time when commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) were still in their infancy.

Breaking Barriers in Bridge Inspection

One of Alicia’s first major projects was with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT), testing drones for bridge inspections. In 2016, drone technology was far less advanced, and most models had bottom-mounted cameras, making bridge inspection nearly impossible. The breakthrough came with the Intel Falcon 8, a drone equipped with a front-mounted, 180-degree rotating camera that allowed engineers to inspect bridge undersides like never before.

The impact was immediate.

  • First-ever comprehensive drone inspection of bridge undersides
  • Development of new safety protocols for drone operations near infrastructure
  • Creation of standardized data collection procedures that shaped future
    programs
Flat lay of photography and drone equipment on a rustic wooden surface, including a white DJI drone with red-orange accents, two camera lenses, a black digital camera with zoom lens, a smartphone, small camera lens attachments, and a gray-orange propeller tool.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.

Expanding Impact Across States

As word spread about the success in Wisconsin, other state DOTs sought Alicia’s expertise. Her work expanded to:

  • Pennsylvania DOT: Evaluated multiple drone platforms, developed emergency response protocols, and established best practices for equipment selection.
  • Connecticut DOT: Applied drones to construction site inspections, high-mass light assessments, and routine maintenance workflows.
  • Tennessee DOT: Built a comprehensive UAS program from the ground up, training new pilots and creating sustainable operational frameworks.

Collaborations Over Competition

Alicia’s philosophy is simple: “High tides rise all ships.” Instead of keeping insights proprietary, she actively shares best practices with agencies nationwide, helping accelerate the safe and effective adoption of drones across the industry.

“Understanding both sides, the consulting world and the DOT perspective—is crucial,” she explains. “If you don’t know how DOTs operate internally, you can’t create programs that truly work for them.” –  Alicia McConnell

At Rawlins Infrastructure Consult, Alicia has successfully combined consulting expertise with real-world DOT experience, leading to innovations such as:

  • Standardized drone inspection protocols that meet federal and state requirements
  • Efficient data collection and management systems
  • Training programs to overcome operational challenges
  • Integration strategies for emerging drone technologies

The Role of Community

Alicia’s journey is also marked by her strong commitment to community and the profession. Through her involvement with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), she judges a national balsa wood bridge building competition aimed at inspiring young engineers. This initiative emphasizes the importance of serving underserved communities in engineering, an aspect Alicia holds dear. It was at one such meeting that she was introduced to Scott Rawlins which lead to her joining Rawlins Infrastructure Consult, where she found a perfect fit for her expertise.
Silhouette of a man and woman holding hands while riding bicycles at sunset with a dramatic, cloudy sky in the background.

Photo by Everton Vila on Unsplash.

Alicia’s Passion for Adventure and Exploration

Beyond her professional pursuits, Alicia enjoys engaging in adventurous activities, particularly those that involve the outdoors. Growing up in a sports-oriented family, she has always embraced competition and fitness. Whether it’s bike camping trips to the Grand Tetons or exploring the lush landscapes of Ireland, Alicia finds joy in discovering new places and cultures.

Her adventurous spirit extends to her love for flying. Both she and her husband, being pilots, enjoy spontaneous trips for a “hundred-dollar hamburger,” where they fly to a new location for a meal before heading back home. This blend of adventure and aerial exploration mirrors her professional life, where she continuously seeks new heights in drone technology.

The Future of Aerial Innovations

“We’re just scratching the surface,” Alicia says. She envisions a future where drones play an even larger role in infrastructure management, including:

  • AI-driven automated inspection analysis
  • Advanced sensor technologies for deeper structural insights
  • Expanded applications in emergency response and disaster assessment
  • Greater collaboration between public agencies and private innovators

Her focus remains on creating real value—helping organizations work smarter, safer, and more efficiently through cutting-edge aerial technologies.

The Sky’s the Limit

Alicia McConnell’s journey demonstrates that innovation isn’t just about technology, it’s about vision, collaboration, and the willingness to explore new possibilities. From bridges to boardrooms, her work is redefining the role of drones in infrastructure management. And with her passion for pushing boundaries, one thing is certain: the sky’s the limit.

*This article was written by James Bryant, Ph.D., P.E. and is based on an interview conducted with Alicia McConnell for the Rawlins Way Podcast*