A typical drone being tested by ORNL researchers.
Electric utilities seeking to enhance worker safety and system reliability by using drones to inspect their transmission systems can look to a new report by Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers to help guide their efforts. The report by ORNL’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Research Center surveys best practices by electric utilities and is intended to “help professionalize the safe and proper operation of UAS work.” It includes Federal Aviation Administration regulations, training and flight planning tips, safety checklists, emergency procedures, and a discussion of how UAS standards and practices can be developed and merged into existing aviation rules and guidelines. The report is publicly available.
