Utility Seeks FAA-Approved Drone Model

Sensor-equipped helicopter
Utility companies including Xcel Energy have deployed the sensor-equipped Pulse Vapor 55 helicopter to inspect transmission lines.
Credit: Xcel Energy
A major U.S. utility company has requested information from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) manufacturers that may be interested in supplying an FAA-certificated drone for transmission line inspections. Working on behalf of Minneapolis-based utility group Xcel Energy, drone services company Phoenix...
Bill Carey

Bill covers business aviation and advanced air mobility for Aviation Week Network. A former newspaper reporter, he has also covered the airline industry, military aviation, commercial space and uncrewed aircraft systems. He is the author of 'Enter The Drones, The FAA and UAVs in America,' published in 2016.

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