Infrastructure Inspection · BC & Alberta
Powerlines, pipelines, bridges, towers, and industrial facilities — inspected faster, safer, and in far more detail than rope access or crewed flight. Dual thermal and visual sensors on the Matrice 350 RTK deliver actionable data for decision support across British Columbia and Alberta.
01 / The Advantage
Traditional infrastructure inspection means rope crews, crewed helicopters, or ground teams with binoculars. Drone inspection eliminates height risk, covers more ground per day, and captures both visual and thermal data simultaneously — giving your engineering and maintenance teams richer information to act on.
Remove workers from towers, bridges, and energized lines. The drone captures every angle without putting crews at height or near live electrical infrastructure.
Inspect kilometres of powerline or pipeline corridor in a single day. Repeat flights at scheduled intervals without the lead time and cost of crewed aircraft.
The Zenmuse H20N captures radiometric thermal and high-resolution visible imagery simultaneously. One flight delivers two data streams for comprehensive condition assessment.
RTK GNSS with centimetre-level accuracy ensures that defects, anomalies, and asset locations are precisely documented and repeatable across inspection cycles.
Annotated image sets, thermal radiometric TIFFs, GPS-tagged anomaly reports, and KML asset maps — data products formatted for decision support and engineering review.
IP55-rated airframe and sensors operate in rain, dust, and temperatures down to -20°C — keeping your inspection schedule on track regardless of BC weather conditions.
02 / How It Works
From initial site review to final deliverable, every flight follows a structured protocol designed to maximize data quality and minimize revisits.
We review existing asset registers, GIS data, and access constraints to plan optimal flight paths and sensor configurations before mobilizing to site.
Nav Canada RPAS flight planning, airspace authorization, and utility company coordination completed in advance — no surprises on the day of inspection.
The M350 RTK flies systematic inspection passes, capturing simultaneous radiometric thermal and high-resolution visible data with precise GPS tagging at each anomaly.
Data reviewed on-site before demobilization to confirm coverage gaps are re-flown and all critical components are captured before leaving the area.
Thermal and visual data processed into annotated reports with GPS coordinates, severity classifications, and recommended maintenance actions — formatted for your engineering team.
03 / Applications
From high-voltage transmission lines to concrete dam faces, our sensor suite adapts to the specific inspection requirements of each asset class.
Electrical Utility
Thermal imaging detects hot joints, failing insulators, and damaged conductors on distribution and transmission lines. Visual imagery captures tower condition, hardware corrosion, and vegetation encroachment — all without a helicopter or energized climb.
Energy & Midstream
Aerial inspection of above-ground pipeline sections, compressor stations, and right-of-way corridors. Thermal imaging identifies temperature anomalies at fittings, valves, and heat-traced sections, while visual data documents ground disturbance and third-party encroachments.
Transportation
Deck surface, underside fascia, abutments, and pier columns captured in high resolution without lane closures or under-bridge inspection vehicles. Thermal imaging detects delamination and moisture ingress in concrete structures that is invisible to the naked eye.
Telecom & Wind
Cell towers, radio masts, and wind turbine blades inspected at altitude without any climber exposure. Close-proximity orbital flights capture bolt hardware, welds, blade surface erosion, and leading-edge damage in full detail.
Water Infrastructure
Concrete dam faces, earthen embankments, spillways, and outlet works inspected for cracking, seepage, vegetation growth, and surface deterioration. Thermal imaging identifies subsurface moisture and seepage pathways not visible on the surface.
Industrial
Industrial facilities, storage tanks, flare stacks, and process equipment inspected for mechanical integrity, thermal anomalies, and corrosion. Aerial access eliminates scaffolding costs for routine condition checks and pre-turnaround assessments.
04 / What You Receive
Every inspection package is built around your team's workflow — structured data products for decision support, not raw files to interpret alone.
05 / Equipment
Commercial inspection demands commercial hardware. The Matrice 350 RTK with dual-sensor payload is the same platform used by utility companies and engineering consultants across North America.
06 / FAQ
Yes. The M350 RTK is designed for proximity inspection of energized infrastructure. We maintain safe standoff distances defined by utility standards and coordinate with the line owner prior to any flight near live conductors. No outage or de-energization is required for most aerial inspection work.
Yes. We manage all Nav Canada RPAS flight planning and airspace authorization. For sites near airports, heliports, or restricted zones, we obtain the required SFOC (Special Flight Operations Certificate) or use the Nav Canada drone authorization portal in advance of the project. All transport and utility coordination is handled by us.
Radiometric thermal imagery stores actual temperature data in every pixel of the image — not just a coloured picture of heat. This means your engineers can open the TIFFs in tools like FLIR Tools or ThermoView and query precise temperatures at any point on the asset, enabling accurate severity assessment and trending between inspections.
It depends on circuit length, terrain, and access. As a general guide, a single-crew drone team can inspect 20–40 km of distribution line per day under typical conditions. Transmission lines with more complex structures take longer per kilometre. We provide a detailed timeline estimate as part of every quote.
Yes. We regularly operate in BC's mountain corridors, remote valleys, and terrain where ground access is limited or impossible. The M350 RTK handles wind, altitude, and cold temperatures well. For very remote sites, we factor in mobilization logistics and typically coordinate with local camps or accommodations.
Yes. Deliverables are structured around your team's workflow — not raw drone files. Standard output includes a GPS-referenced anomaly report with severity ratings, radiometric thermal TIFFs, annotated visual imagery, and a KML/GIS export. If your organization uses a specific reporting template or CMMS system, ask us about custom output formats.
Ready to Inspect
Tell us about your asset, location, and inspection objectives. We'll scope the project, confirm airspace requirements, and provide a detailed quote — typically within 24 hours.
Talk to ARIA 24/7 — our AI voice agent is always available to answer questions and take project details
