Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), sometimes also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), are simply any aircraft that does not have a human pilot. While in many contexts they are commonly referred to as drones, due to the negative connotations of that word most people who use them in a commercial setting prefer to call them either UAV or UAS.
UAS have a range of uses in variety of fields including recreational, commercial, or military purposes. It’s important to note though that in the United States, all aerial vehicles, manned or not, are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). All non-recreational, civil aircraft operations in the country must comply with FAA regulations.
While they can be used for several different types of inspection, UAS are primarily used for visual inspection. They tend to be equipped with incredibly high resolution cameras, which allow them to get a close up, accurate view of a structure, even from a great distance.
They can be used to inspect nearly any structure, both indoors and outdoors, but they are most useful in the inspection of structures that are difficult to reach by traditional means. This can include tall structures, such as flare stacks, elevated pipe trays, and cooling towers. It can include confined spaces in which space is limited for traditional inspections. It can also include structures that are over water such as bridges or the undersides of oil rig platforms.
Compared to traditional inspection, the use of UAS is cheaper, faster, and safer than traditional methods. For example, when inspecting flare stacks, traditional inspection is incredibly difficult and time consuming. UAS can inspect the stack in less than an hour, without requiring shutdown, the construction of scaffolding, or sending inspectors into dangerous situations.
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March/April 2021 Inspectioneering Journal
By Danny Landry at Premium Inspection & Testing Group
As more are educated on the benefits of utilizing ropes and drones, skepticism has become far less common, and we’re sure to see adoption grow in the coming years of both of these methods—and, perhaps, of this new hybrid approach to work as well. |
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Blog
April 29, 2021 By John Reynolds at Intertek
In this Reynolds Wrap Up, the author will summarize his key takeaways from a recent robotics event, including interesting applications, challenges that robotic inspection suppliers still face, pros and cons of robotic and UAV inspection, and more. |
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January/February 2020 Inspectioneering Journal
By Jeremiah Wooten at Inspectioneering, LLC.
Inspectioneering and PinnacleART co-hosted their 5th Meeting of the Minds roundtable last November in Atlanta. This meeting’s focus was on notable technologies and how they are changing the MI landscape. |
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May/June 2019 Inspectioneering Journal
By Patrick Saracco at Cyberhawk
This article discusses how drone data can impact asset integrity management (AIM) programs, the challenges associated with drone data management, and where the technology is heading. |
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January/February 2019 Inspectioneering Journal
By Philip Buchan at Cyberhawk
The use of drones for confined space inspection is proving to reduce safety risks and create efficiencies in both time and cost. These benefits have been realized particularly in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry in internal tank inspection. |
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July/August 2018 Inspectioneering Journal
By Philip Buchan at Cyberhawk
The benefits and advantages of drone inspection over other methods have made this technology a viable solution in industry. As utilization of drone technology continues to grow and expand, it’s important to not only understand what they can do but... |
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March/April 2018 Inspectioneering Journal
By Rami Mattar at Amerapex Corporation
This article features a case study on the feasibility of a wall-sticking drone for effectively conducting ultrasonic testing and other NDT methods on equipment at elevated heights. |
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March/April 2017 Inspectioneering Journal
By Rami Mattar at Amerapex Corporation
Application of drones in industrial inspections is not new, although it is still performed by only handful of companies. Market penetration of this technology in the industrial space has been relatively slow. |
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November/December 2016 Inspectioneering Journal
By Joey Johnston at DronePro, LLC
In the first quarter of 2016, Texas-based DronePro LLC completed the first ever inside-the-derrick inspection of an offshore drilling rig utilizing a proprietary unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or drone, with its associated technology and equipment. |
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September/October 2015 Inspectioneering Journal
By Nick Harwood at Aetos Group, and Aaron Cook at Aetos Group
This article is intended to provide some helpful insights when it comes to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), and to hopefully put you on the path to safer and more cost-effective inspections utilizing UAS technologies. |
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Blog
May 26, 2015 By Nick Schmoyer at Inspectioneering
These are interesting times when it comes to inspection technology in the process industries. With the advent of big data, mobile and wireless technology, and various other technological advances, we thought it would be a good idea to provide a... |
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Blog
May 11, 2015 By Nick Harwood at Aetos Group
Last Wednesday the FAA announced an initiative to allow three additional commercial drone applications; applications that will bring big value to the Oil and Gas and Petrochemical industries. Today, drone operators must have a Section 333 Exemption... |
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March/April 2015 Inspectioneering Journal
By Nick Harwood at Aetos Group, and Aaron Cook at Aetos Group
The ability to gain this unique perspective has recently become easier and safer with today’s technological advancements. This new technology comes in the form of a miniature flying machine, better known as a drone or small Unmanned Aerial System... |
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January/February 2014 Inspectioneering Journal
By Jason C. Shankle at United Dynamics Corporation
UAS (Unmanned Arial System) drone technology has numerous applications, including anything at elevated heights or where human access and/or occupancy are prohibited, or in the case of confined spaces, limited. |
