Soaring Eagle BVLOS Waiver Enables Cost-Effective and Efficient Inspections

Soaring Eagle Technologies has received another FAA Certificate of Authorization.  This BVLOS Waiver enables more efficient inspections.

Soaring Eagle Technologies, is a leading drone data collection company working with critical infrastructure companies across the U.S.  Having completed over 60 large scale BVLOS missions across the U.S under SGI (special government interest) waivers,the company currently can currently survey up to 100 miles of electrical transmission line per day with each BVLOS capable sUAS (small unmanned aircraft system) in the company’s fleet.

Nathan Alber, Director of Training at Soaring Eagle Technologies, says, “As we continue to expand BVLOS operations across the country, clients are able to obtain aerial mapping, inspection, and other imaging data in less time, more efficiently. The drone inspection option is also cleaner and safer than the fossil fuel alternatives such as helicopters and ground patrols. Of course, safety and data security are a paramount focus for our company. Our army training and experience piloting manned aircraft are key factors that contributed to the FAAs decision to award Soaring Eagle this latest waiver.”

“…BVLOS operations means asset owners can save more than 50% when conducting these operations compared to using manned aircraft (helicopters, airplanes, etc.) to do the same work,” says the Soaring Eagle press release.

Will Paden, President of Soaring Eagle Technologies, stated, “The use cases for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) are more and more popular each day, but so are the Federal requirements, given we share airspace with manned aircraft.

This FAA waiver allows Soaring Eagle to collect information more thoroughly and efficiently. That means there is a tremendous demand for this service, especially among utilities and those manage other key infrastructure throughout the country.

We’re trusted to conduct some of the nation’s most critical work, and that, in addition to the vote of confidence of the FAA, is truly humbling. It’s a badge of honor.”

BVLOS for Inspections – with 4G and 5G Networks

“It won’t be long before we have aircraft in our fleet that are capable of not only safe and efficient BVLOS operations, but in conjunction with 4G and 5G data networks, we’ll be able to launch and pilot our aircraft from thousands of miles aways if needed,” says Paden. “This means our response time for natural disasters or other incidents involving critical infrastructure would be cut from hours to minutes – saving our customers downtime, money, and possibly lives.”

“Today BVLOS functionality is already applicable to post-storm inspections, controlled burns overwatch, right-of-way audits, farming and agriculture, as well as other applications covering vast terrains in short timeframes,” says the press release.

Read more about flight beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS): the BEYOND program, BVLOS ARC, and FAA Chief Administrator Steve Dickson on a BVLOS Ruling.