• Compliance and regulations for drone and remote control for
• Drones can be controlled remotely by a human pilot using a radio
controller, a smartphone, or a tablet. The pilot can see the live
video feed from the drone’s camera on the device’s screen and
adjust the drone’s speed, direction, and altitude.
• Drones can also be programmed to fly autonomously using pre-
defined waypoints, or follow a specific route using GPS navigation.
The drone can automatically return to its launch point when the
battery is low or the signal is lost.
• Drones can be equipped with different sensors and cameras to
collect data and images of the condition of assets, such as boilers,
fuel storage tanks, transmission lines, turbines, smokestacks,
pipelines, solar panels, wind turbines, and more.
• Drones can also share data with other Internet of Things (IoT)
devices and systems and provide real-time data as an input into
‘big data’ applications. This enables faster, more accurate
decision-making and analysis in terms of service offerings and
infrastructure improvements.
• Some of the best drones for inspections are Flyability’s Elios 3 for
internal inspections (boilers, pressure vessels, etc.), DJI’s Matrice
300 for general external inspections (cell towers, stack exteriors,
etc.), DJI Phantom 4 Pro for roof inspections, and Yuneec’s H520
for cell tower inspections.
• Wi-Fi technology for drones is a way of transmitting data and
commands between the drone and the remote controller or a
mobile device. Wi-Fi technology is mostly used for consumer-
grade drones, such as the DJI Spark, Mavic Air, Mini and Mini SE.
Wi-Fi technology has some advantages and disadvantages
compared to other transmission systems, such as OcuSync and
Lightbridge.
S.O.P
• S.O.P; Planning: Before conducting a drone inspection, the
operator should plan the mission objectives, scope, and schedule.
The operator should also identify the type and specifications of
the drone and the payload, such as sensors and cameras, that are
suitable for the inspection task. The operator should also check
the weather conditions, airspace restrictions, and any other
potential hazards or risks that may affect the drone operation.
• Preparation: Before launching the drone, the operator should
conduct a pre-flight check to ensure that the drone and the
remote controller are in good working condition and have
sufficient battery power. The operator should also calibrate the
drone’s compass and GPS, and test the communication link and
the video feed. The operator should also secure the launch and
landing site, and inform any relevant stakeholders or authorities
about the drone inspection.
• Execution: During the drone inspection, the operator should
follow the flight plan and maintain a visual line of sight with the
drone at all times. The operator should also monitor the drone’s
telemetry data, such as altitude, speed, distance, and battery
level, and adjust the flight parameters as needed. The operator
should also capture high-quality data and images of the assets or
structures to be inspected, using different angles and
perspectives. The operator should also avoid flying over people,
animals, vehicles, or other sensitive areas without permission.
• Termination: After completing the drone inspection, the operator
should land the drone safely at the designated site and turn off
the drone and the remote controller. The operator should also
conduct a post-flight check to inspect the drone and the payload
for any damage or malfunction. The operator should also
download and store the data and images collected by the drone
for further analysis and reporting.
• Renewable energy: Many renewable energy companies use
drones and zoom cameras to inspect solar panels and wind
turbines. Drones can detect defects, cracks, corrosion, or dirt on
the panels and blades, and help optimize the performance and
maintenance of the renewable energy sources1.
APPLICATION AND EXAMPLE
• Mining: The mining industry now sends drones to inspect open
stopes, which reduces the risk to human life. Drones can also
survey the terrain, measure stockpiles, monitor blasting, and map
underground tunnels2.
• Oil and gas: Drones can be used to inspect oil and gas facilities,
such as pipelines, refineries, storage tanks, offshore platforms,
and flare stacks. Drones can help detect leaks, corrosion, damage,
or anomalies, and improve the safety and efficiency of the
operations3.
inspections are important to ensure the safety, security, and
legality of drone operations. Different countries and regions may
have different rules and requirements for drone use, so it is
advisable to check the local laws before flying a drone.
• Some of the common compliance and regulations for drone and
remote control for inspections are:
• Obtaining a license or authorization from the relevant aviation
authority to fly a drone for commercial or recreational purposes,
depending on the weight, size, and purpose of the drone.
• Following the operational limitations and restrictions for drone
flights, such as maximum altitude, distance from people,
buildings, airports, and other sensitive areas, visual line-of-sight,
daylight hours, etc.
• Equipping the drone with appropriate sensors, cameras, and
identification systems to collect data and images of the assets to
be inspected, and to comply with remote identification (RID) rules
that allow the drone to be identified by other airspace users and
authorities.
• Making the drone available for inspection or testing by the
aviation authority on request, and keeping any associated records
required by the rule.
BEST AND PRACTICE
• Choose the right drone for your inspection needs. Different
drones have different features, such as camera quality, flight time,
obstacle avoidance, and payload capacity. Some drones are also
designed for specific inspection scenarios, such as indoor or
outdoor, confined or open spaces, and high or low altitudes. For
example, Flyability’s Elios 3 is a good choice for internal
inspections in boilers, pressure vessels, and other hard-to-reach
places1. DJI’s Matrice 300 is a versatile drone for external
inspections of cell towers, stack exteriors, and other assets2.
• Plan your inspection mission carefully. Before you fly your drone,
you should do some research on the site, the asset, and the data
you need to collect. You should also check the weather
conditions, the airspace regulations, and the battery level of your
drone. You should have a clear flight plan that covers the route,
the altitude, the speed, and the camera settings of your drone.
You should also have a contingency plan in case of emergencies or
malfunctions.
• Follow the safety rules and regulations. When you fly your drone,
you should always follow the safety rules and regulations of your
country, state, or industry. You should also respect the privacy and
property rights of others. You should never fly your drone near
people, animals, vehicles, power lines, or airports. You should
always keep your drone in sight and under control. You should
also have a valid license or certification if required by law.
• Analyze and report your inspection data. After you complete your
inspection mission, you should download and analyze your
inspection data. You should use software tools that can help you
process, organize, and visualize your data. You should also
generate a report that summarizes your findings and
recommendations. You should include relevant information such
as the date, time, location, drone model, camera settings, and
data sources of your inspection. You should also highlight any
defects, damages, or anomalies that you found during your
inspection.
• Insurance: Drones can help insurance companies assess the
damage and claims after natural disasters, such as floods,
hurricanes, or fires. Drones can capture high-resolution images
and videos of the affected areas and properties, and provide
faster and more accurate estimates4.
• Infrastructure: Drones can be used to inspect various types of
infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, railways, power lines, dams,
and buildings. Drones can help identify structural problems,
cracks, wear and tear, or defects, and provide data for planning
and maintenance5.