Utility Companies Using Quads for Inspection
GordonMcComb
Posts: 3,366
A while back we were talking about the job opportunities in quadcopters and other drone technologies. My personal belief is that experienced (and licensed) UAV pilots will be in high demand in the coming years, as the FAA considers regulations for commercial use.
Recent news out of San Diego tells of the local electrical utility, San Diego Gas & Electric, having been granted licensing from the FAA for using drones for powerline and gas line inspection. San Diego county is a huge area, with a million acres of undeveloped chaparral; hundreds of miles of power lines snake through this area, making line inspection expensive and time consuming. UAVs stand to greatly reduce the time it takes to find faults during emergencies, and lessen the cost of routine maintenance inspection.
Here's a basic article on SDG&E and drones. San Diego is only the second utility company in the nation to receive approval, but others are sure to follow:
http://www.10news.com/news/sdge-gets-approval-from-the-faa-to-fly-drones
From the article: "SDG&E uses drones that are 16 inches in diameter and weigh less than one pound. They carry a camera to inspect utility equipment and relay live images back to a controller."
I'm dubious of the "one pound" spec, as these are probably equipped with a far more robust longer-distance transmitter -- otherwise, the operator would have to travel along with the thing, and then, what would be the point. But clearly, the age of permitted commercial use of enhanced UAVs is now among us. Time to go to Parallax Flight School! Time for Parallax to start a Flight School!!
Recent news out of San Diego tells of the local electrical utility, San Diego Gas & Electric, having been granted licensing from the FAA for using drones for powerline and gas line inspection. San Diego county is a huge area, with a million acres of undeveloped chaparral; hundreds of miles of power lines snake through this area, making line inspection expensive and time consuming. UAVs stand to greatly reduce the time it takes to find faults during emergencies, and lessen the cost of routine maintenance inspection.
Here's a basic article on SDG&E and drones. San Diego is only the second utility company in the nation to receive approval, but others are sure to follow:
http://www.10news.com/news/sdge-gets-approval-from-the-faa-to-fly-drones
From the article: "SDG&E uses drones that are 16 inches in diameter and weigh less than one pound. They carry a camera to inspect utility equipment and relay live images back to a controller."
I'm dubious of the "one pound" spec, as these are probably equipped with a far more robust longer-distance transmitter -- otherwise, the operator would have to travel along with the thing, and then, what would be the point. But clearly, the age of permitted commercial use of enhanced UAVs is now among us. Time to go to Parallax Flight School! Time for Parallax to start a Flight School!!
Comments
Saves money on inspection until you need to call in these guys for maintenance.....