Pioneering Drone Duo Achieves Historic Bvlos Pipeline Inspection Milestone

Event 38 Unmanned Systems and Phoenix Air Unmanned (PAU) have successfully completed a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) pipeline inspection demo using the E455 fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone. The demonstration covered an impressive 320 miles in just under 7.6 flight hours, validating the potential for drone-based long-range pipeline monitoring.

The test aimed to determine if PAU could patrol 300 miles of pipeline for Shell Pipeline Corporation within a single day. Despite an initial two-hour delay due to fog, the team reached the 300-mile mark by noon on the second day, achieving their goal within a day of flying time. “We woke up to a two-hour delay with fog, so we crossed the 300-mile mark at noon on the second day,” said Will Wheeler, Director of Operations at PAU.

To prepare for the mission, Event 38 trained six PAU pilots in just three days and integrated the E455 into PAU’s existing command and control systems within a week. The demonstration followed shortly after the integration process was completed.

The usability of the E455 as a key factor in the mission’s success was highlighted by Wheeler. “Ease of use and reliability is a big deal for us,” he said. “We have the foundational knowledge of how to execute BVLOS flights at scale, however we had never flown the E455 before.” With its ease of use and scalability, the E455 has proven itself as an essential tool for PAU’s operations.

The demo was conducted using the E455 equipped with an Iris Casia 3-camera system, redundant radio links, an ADS-B receiver, and a live gimbaled camera. Three ground control vans managed drone communication, ensuring seamless data transmission. The E455 maintained a constant signal with PAU using a bonded radio solution.

The E455 demonstrated impressive endurance, flying up to 60 minutes per charge with the demo payload. Under standard conditions, it can fly for over two hours on a single charge and reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.

Event 38 sees this demonstration as a valuable learning experience. “We are incredibly proud of what PAU accomplished with the E455,” said Mathew Wright, VP of Engineering and Operations at Event 38. “This demo was an excellent opportunity for us to learn more about how the E455 operates in real-world scenarios and make some other modifications that will translate to a better user experience going forward.”

The successful completion of this demo marks a significant achievement for PAU and highlights the potential of BVLOS pipeline inspections. With its cutting-edge technology and extensive safety risk analysis, PAU is poised to revolutionize the industry. The milestone supports the safety and public benefits of advanced drone operations as part of ongoing FAA validation of UAS technology.