Avion, Huntsville Utilities plan drone launch
HUNTSVILLE – Avion Unmanned is making a name for themselves now in the commercial realm of unmanned aircraft systems by collaborating with Huntsville Utilities.
Huntsville Utilities soon will use UAS, or ‘drones,’ in daily operations. Drones will lead to reduced risks and costs associated with inspecting power poles, line connections and associated equipment. Currently, employees inspect this equipment with aerial vehicles, like bucket trucks, or by an employee physically climbing a pole.
Avion Unmanned UAS instructors have formally trained Huntsville Utilities employees on the appropriate, legal and safe use of aerial drones. Utility employees studied topics like aerodynamics, airspace, aviation weather, emergency operations, privacy, flight basics and, most importantly, safety.
Recently, Huntsville Utilities earned a Certificate of Authorization from the FAA.
In addition, Avion Unmanned helped Huntsville Utilities develop a standard operating procedure as a guide for managing operations as the program grows. Their intended area of operation is the Class G Airspace within 100 nautical miles of Huntsville.
Avion has a proven track record of collaboration with the utility industry to ensure safe and effective operations, according to UAS Program Manager Taylor Abington. Avion worked closely with Oak Ridge National Laboratory for a technical manual for using drones.
Avion Unmanned partnered with Huntsville Utilities to submit a proposal to the American Public Power Association for a “Demonstration of Energy and Efficiency Developments” or DEED grant to research the feasibility of unmanned aircraft systems’ use in the Public Utility Industry.
The DEED grant work will provide public power members with a resource for best practices for the use of unmanned aircraft. This resource will include references to determine if a utility can support a UAS program or if contracting drone operations is more feasible. The public power association will receive this grant work in November.
Avion Unmanned, a branch of Avion Solutions Inc., is a government defense contractor with 25 years of Army aviation experience. Avion Unmanned conducts nationwide UAS services and offers training for UAS operations in the national airspace.
For more information about Avion Unmanned, email UAS@avionsolutions.com or visit avionunmanned.com, Facebook/AvionSolution or Twitter @AvionSolutions.
