Milestone Highlights Progress in BVLOS Pipeline Inspections
Phoenix Air Unmanned (PAU) has announced the successful completion of a 320-mile pipeline patrol in just 7.6 flight hours using a single unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Conducted for Shell Pipeline Company (SPLC) in Louisiana, the achievement surpasses the project’s goal of patrolling 300 miles in a single flight day. The flights were performed under PAU’s nationwide beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) regulatory approval, showcasing advancements in critical infrastructure inspection.
FAA Waiver Enables Scalable Operations
The patrols were conducted under a certificate of waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This waiver allows BVLOS flights without the need for visual observers, enabling broader inspections of infrastructure like pipelines, utilities, railroads, and canals. Since 2019, PAU has inspected over 16,000 miles of linear infrastructure under multiple authorizations.
In Fall 2024, PAU received a new FAA waiver supporting scalable and repeatable BVLOS operations. Will Wheeler, Director of Operations for PAU, explained the significance:
“Many FAA authorizations are site-specific or limited in scope due to restrictive criteria. We built upon years of BVLOS operations and proposed a viable alternative to traditional pipeline patrol methods. This authorization solidifies the business case for routine UAS inspections required for regulatory compliance, as we achieved a substantial increase in assets patrolled beyond visual line of sight with UAS.”
The milestone supports ongoing FAA validation of UAS technology, emphasizing the safety and public benefits of advanced drone operations.
Technology and Mission Planning
For the patrol, PAU used the Event 38 E455 UAS, a fixed-wing drone equipped with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Weighing under 55 pounds, the aircraft carried a high-resolution camera providing live video feeds. In 16 BVLOS flights, PAU logged 7.72 hours and covered 332.4 miles, including right-of-way transit and check flights.
Careful mission planning ensured the patrols stayed within designated rights of way across southern Louisiana. Real-time video data collected during the flights was provided to inspectors and archived for further analysis.
PAU credits its success to extensive safety risk analysis, rigorous FAA approvals, and close coordination with SPLC and aviation teams. The patrol demonstrates the potential of UAS for improving efficiency and scalability in infrastructure inspections.
About Phoenix Air Unmanned
Founded in 2014, Phoenix Air Unmanned specializes in utility inspection services and has conducted over 16,000 miles of unmanned linear infrastructure inspections. The company leverages BVLOS operational experience, FAA authorizations, and project management expertise to deliver innovative solutions.
In 2021, PAU became the first registered operator of the International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Stage 1 for remotely piloted aircraft systems, further solidifying its commitment to aviation safety and excellence.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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