Regular inspections of power lines across Australia is required to ensure safety and proper maintenance upkeep. Powerlines and associated infrastructure should be inspected every 12-24 months. Given the geographical size of Australia, this is a costly and time-consuming task.
Challenge
The regular inspection of power lines in remote and difficult to access areas of Australia is mostly undertaken by manned helicopter. This costly exercise requires a highly skilled team of pilots and technicians working long hours in a risky environment.
Sky Division Solution
Fitting a FAZER R G2 with a camera as well as a LiDAR system will provide the inspection team with a live video feed and detailed images with geotag capability, as well as 3D LiDAR imaging of surrounding landscape for vegetation management.
Benefits
The FAZER R G2 is able fly at just 65-100 metres above the ground while guided by the satellite-assisted auto-pilot navigation system. This allows highly accurate flight plans. Only two ground-based operational crew will be required with an estimated 50km of power lines inspected with each flight.
UAV Benefits
Use of UAV greatly increases safety and reduces cost
FAZER R G2 can be transported via road to each site
Reducing the cost of transit time between towns by manned helicopter
FAZER R G2 can fly slower than a manned helicopter
