Dave Kroetsch presented on using small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) for infrastructure inspection. He discussed the challenges of power line inspection using manned aircraft or climbing towers, and how sUAS can overcome these challenges by maintaining a safe standoff distance while still providing high-resolution imagery. Examples were given of using Aeryon Labs' SkyRanger sUAS equipped with an HDZoom30 camera to inspect power lines from hundreds of feet away. The sUAS solution allows for safer, more efficient inspections compared to traditional methods.

1. Infrastructure Inspection
using sUAS
Dave Kroetsch, CEO
sUSB Expo 2015 - May 1, 2015

2. Overview
 Aeryon Labs - Company Background
 Challenges of Power Line Inspection
 Benefits of UAS Technology
 In-Field Examples
 Aerial Inspection in Other Industries

3. Aeryon Labs builds
rugged, easy-to-use sUAS
for the
backpack of the soldier
trunk of the
power line inspector
and the

4. Aeryon Labs Inc.
• Founded in 2007, Aeryon Scout sUAS since 2009
• Aeryon SkyRanger sUAS introduced in 2013
• Aeryon HDZoom30 Payload - 2015
• Global Customers – Comm’l, Public Safety, Military
Archeology Dig in
Saskatchewan
Stellar Sea Lions
in Bering Sea
Libyan Rebels
Tripoli Advance
BP Oil Spill
Response
US Coast Guard
Fuel Delivery
Mapping Christ the
Redeemer Statue

5. Aeryon Philosophy
Anyone Can Fly
• Intuitive touchscreen navigation &
camera control
• Advanced automated features, fail-safes
• Minimal training
Fly Anywhere, Anytime
• Single user transport, deployment, operation
• Integrated payloads & industry solutions
• Reliable in high winds & extreme weather
conditions

6. Aeryon SkyRanger™

7. Aeryon SkyRanger
• 50 minute flight time
• Wind Tolerance
o 40mph/65kmh sustained
o 55mph/90kmh gusts
• All-weather
o -22 to 122oF (-30 to 50oC)
• 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg)

8. Easy-to-use, minimal training
Simple system
status display
Single operator control
Pre-planned flight paths or ad-hoc
GPS camera
targeting
Touchscreen
map-based
navigation
Real-time
digital video

9. Power Line Inspection
• Inspect tower structure
Detect cracks, deterioration
Read lot codes/serial numbers
• Inspect insulator
Locate broken insulators
Detect contamination
• Inspect fastening hardware
Locate cotter pins
Count exposed bolt threads

10. Challenges of Power line Inspection
• Remote and hard to reach structures
• High-value infrastructure
cost of failure is extraordinary
• Using manned aircraft or manual towers
inspection can be:
Expensive
Dangerous
Limited by ability to get close to structure

11. Challenges (cont’d)
• High electrical potential (kV) in power lines
Risk for proximate people/objects
Potential flashover
• Magnetic interference
• Obstacles
Towers & power lines
Increase risk during operations especially beyond
line of sight

12. Overcoming the Challenges
• The Hard Way - Close proximity
Multiple sensors – obstacle avoidance, etc
Very precise positioning – skilled pilots
High resolution, wide FOV imagery
• The Right Way
Maintain reasonable standoff distance

13. HDZoom30

14. Solution Profile
• SkyRanger with HDZoom30
 Safe standoff distance
 Clear, precise, detailed imagery
 Ease of use
• Class-leading endurance
 On station longer
 Capture more imagery
 Operate further from launch
• Class-leading wind and environmental tolerance
 High altitude
 Operations are not constrained by wind/weather

15. Take-off location
The Tower
Inspection Scenario
• 500 kV live power line
• 400m from operator

16. Standoff distance 7m
Reading Serial Numbers

18. Example 2
• ~1000 ft (300m) away
• On top of a mountain
• Standoff of 65ft (20m)

19. Power Line Inspection

21. Insulator Inspection

24. EO/IR Capability

25. Common Challenges
Mirrored in other industries:
Solar farms
Wind power generation
Chemical plants

26. Common Challenges
Cell phone towers
Flare stacks
Pipelines

27. FAA Approved Applications
• Multiple FAA 333 Exemptions
Flare stack (on and offshore)
Power line
Plant inspection
• State-wide blanket COAs

28. Inspection Applications Worldwide

29. Thank You
www.aeryon.com.
Aeryon Labs Inc.
575 Kumpf Drive
Waterloo ON N2V 1K3
Canada
Sales Inquires:
sales@aeryon.com
General Information:
info@aeryon.com
Head Office: 519-489-6726
Fax: 519-489-6726
x320 - sales