A portable measurement system is described herein that provides accurate real-time data for a subject object at a job site. The acquired data may include photos, laser mapping, thermal images, sonar imaging, electronic measurements, or other types of measurement data. The system leverages commonly available remote control helicopters or other flying vehicles mounted with a camera or other equipment to acquire images or other measurement data that would be difficult to obtain without climbing onto a target structure or placing personnel in other dangerous situations. A portable platform is described herein that can include helicopters as well as other types of portable measurement devices that can fly or otherwise maneuver to capture measurement data at a job site. In many cases, these connected devices can provide near instant availability of captured data to a processing center or other remote location, reducing delays that are typical today.