Hosted By: ASME
Dates: September 24, 2019 - September 25, 2019
Conferences
Symposiums
Explore this topic
Overview of Drones - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
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.
Is this definition incomplete? You can help by contributing to it.
Share this Topic
Articles about Drones - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
-
May/June 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy 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.
-
January/February 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy 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.
-
July/August 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy 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 also, their limitations.
-
March/April 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy 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.
-
March/April 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy 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.
-
Partner Content
Our proprietary furnace tube inspection system, FTIS™, is an ultrasonic inspection technology capable of rapid, automated fired heater coil inspection in refinery fired heaters. The data captured by our furnace tube inspection system is exceptionally powerful when combined with our LifeQuest™ remaining life assessment capabilities, providing an integrated solution set for refinery fired heaters in the refining and chemical industries.
-
November/December 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy 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.
-
September/October 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy 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.
-
BlogMay 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 recap on some of the new technologies that have been covered in Inspectioneering Journal.
-
BlogMay 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 from the FAA to conduct commercial operations in the United States.
-
March/April 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy 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 (sUAS). These systems can be a modified hobby aircraft or highly reliable, military grade aerial robots.
-
January/February 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy 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.
Events related to Drones - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
-
September 24 - 25 2019Location: College Station, Texas, United States
Hosted By: ASME
Dates: September 24, 2019 - September 25, 2019
-
October 22 - 23 2019Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Hosted By: SPRINT Robotics
Dates: October 22, 2019 - October 23, 2019
Conferences Exhibitions & Trade Shows -
February 17 - 20 2020Location: Houston, Texas, United States
Hosted By: Clarion Technical Conferences
Dates: February 17, 2020 - February 20, 2020
Conferences Exhibitions & Trade Shows Training Courses -
October 14 - 17 2019Location: Denver, Colorado, United States
Hosted By: American Petroleum Institute
Dates: October 14, 2019 - October 17, 2019
-
November 18 - 21 2019Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Hosted By: American Petroleum Institute
Dates: November 18, 2019 - November 21, 2019
Exhibitions & Trade Shows Standards & Committee Meetings -
March 15 - 19 2020Location: Houston, Texas, United States
Hosted By: NACE International
Dates: March 15, 2020 - March 19, 2020
Conferences Exhibitions & Trade Shows Seminars & Workshops -
December 3 - 4 2019Location: Houston, Texas, United States
Hosted By: Asset Optimization Consultants
Dates: December 3, 2019 - December 4, 2019
Training Courses -
February 24 - 28 2020Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada
Hosted By: IPEIA
Dates: February 24, 2020 - February 28, 2020
Conferences Exhibitions & Trade Shows Training Courses
-
October 28 - 30 2019Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Hosted By: Diversified Communications
Dates: October 28, 2019 - October 30, 2019
Conferences Exhibitions & Trade Shows
News related to Drones - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
-
Press ReleaseSPRINT Robotics, May 24, 2019
The conference and exhibition are organized by the SPRINT Robotics Collaborative, an end-user driven, not-for-profit foundation.
Inspectioneering Journal
Explore over 20 years of articles written by our team of subject matter experts.
Company Directory
Find relevant products, services, and technologies.
Job Postings
Discover job opportunities that match your skillset.
Case Studies
Learn from the experience of others in the industry.
Event Calendar
Find upcoming conferences, training sessions, online events, and more.
Industry News
Stay up-to-date with the latest inspection and asset integrity management news.
Blog
Read short articles and insights authored by industry experts.
Acronyms
Commonly used asset integrity management and inspection acronyms.
Asset Intelligence Reports
Download brief primers on various asset integrity management topics.
Videos
Watch educational and informative videos directly related to your profession.