Last month saw the successful completion of the inaugural Utility Training Academy for Unmanned Aerial Systems, hosted by NM Group, Phoenix Air and the Unmanned Safety Institute. Delegates took part in an intensive two day workshop with both classroom learning and practical sessions. This included flights for T-line and D-line asset maintenance inspection, line pulling, and LiDAR for engineering ratings, greenfield design and Utility Vegetation Management.
The largest UAS used during the program, the Pulse Aerospace Vapor 55, made history in July 2016 through deployment by NM Group, Phoenix Air and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site to examine BVLOS capabilities for a Midwest utility for the purposes of vegetation management on a 345 kV line.
The next academies will take place in both Spring and Fall 2016. Due to the hands on nature of the course places are limited. We would therefore advise delegates to book early to avoid disappointment.
