Event 38 and Phoenix Air Unmanned Complete BVLOS Pipeline Inspection Demo

Successful Fixed-Wing VTOL Flight Covers 320 Miles for Shell Pipeline Corporation

Event 38 Unmanned Systems and Phoenix Air Unmanned (PAU) have completed a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) pipeline inspection demo using the E455 fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone. The demonstration covered 320 miles in just under 7.6 flight hours, validating the potential for drone-based long-range pipeline monitoring.

Proving the Concept: A 300-Mile Goal Achieved

The test aimed to determine if PAU could patrol 300 miles of pipeline for Shell Pipeline Corporation within a single day. Despite an initial two-hour delay due to fog, the team reached the 300-mile mark by noon on the second day. “We woke up to a two-hour delay with fog, so we crossed the 300-mile mark at noon on the second day,” said Will Wheeler, Director of Operations at PAU. “But our goal was achieved within a day of flying time, so it was a success.”

To prepare for the mission, Event 38 trained six PAU pilots in three days and integrated the E455 into PAU’s existing command and control systems within a week. The demonstration followed shortly after the integration process was completed.

E455: Ease of Use and Scalability

Wheeler highlighted the usability of the E455 as a key factor in the mission’s success. “Ease of use and reliability is a big deal for us. We have the foundational knowledge of how to execute BVLOS flights at scale, however we had never flown the E455 before,” he said. “We received training, the E455 was integrated, and then we were out there doing 300 miles. What will we be capable of once our whole crew has experience with this platform and it’s truly integrated into our workflow? It’s repeatable and scalable.”

For the demo, the E455 was equipped with an Iris Casia 3-camera system, redundant radio links, an ADS-B receiver, and a live gimbaled camera. Three ground control vans managed drone communication, ensuring seamless data transmission. The E455 maintained a constant signal with PAU using a bonded radio solution.

Performance and Future Potential

The E455 demonstrated impressive endurance, flying up to 60 minutes per charge with the demo payload. Under standard conditions, it can fly for over two hours on a single charge and reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.

Event 38 sees this demonstration as a valuable learning experience. “We are incredibly proud of what PAU accomplished with the E455,” said Mathew Wright, VP of Engineering and Operations at Event 38. “This demo was an excellent opportunity for us to learn more about how the E455 operates in real-world scenarios and make some other modifications that will translate to a better user experience going forward.”

For more information about Event 38 and the E455, visit www.event38.com.  For more information on Phoenix Air Unmanned, visit their website here.

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Read more:

• Event 38 Drone Secures BVLOS Waiver for Pipeline Inspection
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