Your Questions Answered
All the facts about Phoenix Air Unmanned, LLC
LOCATION
We’re based in Cartersville, Georgia, USA
Phoenix Air Unmanned, LLC is located at the Cartersville-Bartow County Airport. Our offices are 45 minutes NW of downtown Atlanta. Whether we utilize our airport, ATL, or our operations vehicles - we're capable of servicing the entire United States for LiDAR survey and mapping.
Questions & Answers
What makes Phoenix Air Unmanned, LLC unique?
We are a quality drone operator focused on all aspects of unmanned aircraft flight. With founders who are prior service, we have built our business upon a structure similar to military aviation. We have identified the most talented individuals in sensor technology, maintenance, aviation dispatch, and pilots who are capable of delivering a superior product to our customers.
General
What sets Phoenix Air Unmanned apart from other drone companies?
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We are not an organization staffing unqualified operators under one umbrella. Our pilots are certificated manned aviators who complete qualification training and proficiency checks.​​
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Our equipment is a step above commercial-off-the-shelf - with the ability to integrate multiple payloads.​​​
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We are IS-BAO registered – placing a key emphasis on aviation safety in all things we do.​
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We are not hobbyists who became commercial drone operators.​
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We employ experts in image capture and the sensors we fly are second to none.​
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We have a history of operations to include 13,000 miles of powerline inspections.
What regulations does Phoenix Air Unmanned operate under?
We operate under both CFR Part 107 and Part 91. Part 91 provides us the operational authority to fly unmanned aircraft above 55 pounds.
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We have authorizations to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the PIC for transmission line infrastructure inspections.
Why does Phoenix Air Unmanned being founded by a manned aviation company matter to PAU customers?
Operating drones under aviation standards provides increased safety to every project. Our organizational structure mirrors a Part 135 certificated manned aviation provider. We invoke standards in all areas to include maintenance, qualifications, training, pilot proficiency, aerial operations and more. We frequently hear from customers they are unable to maintain proficiency with their own platforms. Our programs are designed to keep all our pilots qualified and proficient.
What industries does Phoenix Air Unmanned serve and what services do you offer?
We serve many industries, including land development, civil engineering and the public sector. Our services range from aerial mapping and surveying to drone photography and videography. We also provide services such as drone inspections and data collection.
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General | LiDAR | Inspections
LiDAR
Is drone LiDAR right for my project?
Phoenix Air Unmanned staff are passionate about the technology and developing new methods to acquire and apply the technology. We have found that drone LiDAR services is the preferred choice for projects with poor ground access, a need for high point density, and complex airspace.
What can I do with LiDAR data?
LiDAR provides powerful insight for civil engineering, research, and mapping by producing digital twins with points densities exceeding 1,000 points per square meter. The datasets are a single point in time capture that can be used for feature extraction or a baseline upon which future change can be compared. Clients have used our data to measure wall lean, road deformation, powerline sag, watershed streamlines, and vegetation risk to infrastructure.
Do you offer more than LiDAR survey and inspections?
Yes. We have multiple payload mounting capabilities that meet the needs of multiple industries and use cases.
What is the maximum acreage for a LiDAR project?
Phoenix Air Unmanned has operational experience completing single flight missions to multi-month projects. In a single day, we are able to acquire LiDAR data of up to 700 acres or 10 linear miles under Part 107.
How quickly can you get to my project?
PAU has multiple pilots and aircraft on standby and can frequently complete projects within less than a month of first call. Additionally, we have deployed a team across state lines and delivered data to clients within 72 hours for rapid response projects.
Inspections
What are the benefits of using drones for utility inspections?
Utilizing drones for utility inspections can provide several advantages over traditional inspection methods. Drones can provide safer, faster, and more cost-effective inspections, as they can access difficult-to-reach areas with minimal risk to personnel. Additionally, drones can capture high-resolution imagery and video footage to provide an enhanced level of detail for inspections.
What safety precautions are taken when using drones for utility inspections?
When using drones for utility inspections, safety should always be the top priority. Before each flight, our operators perform daily briefings, weather analysis, mission plan reviews, flight risk assessments, and pre-flight safety checks to ensure that the drone and operator are ready to fly. Additionally, operators always fly within the rules and regulations and follow any applicable aviation or local laws.
How many miles of utilities can be inspected in a day?
The exact number of miles that can be inspected in a day will depend on payload, operating environment, as well as weather conditions. Generally, our drones can cover up to 10 miles in a single flight and average 45 miles per day. PAU has inspected 134 miles in a single day - flown BVLOS under FAA waiver.
What payload options are available for drone utility inspections?
Drones used for utility inspections can be outfitted with a variety of payloads, such as high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging sensors, LiDAR sensors, and more. Depending on the type of inspection being conducted, the appropriate payload can be selected to suit the needs of the project.
How is imagery from drone utility inspections delivered to the customer?
Imagery from drone utility inspections is typically delivered to customers electronically in a variety of formats, including high-resolution digital photos and video footage, as well as 3D models and point clouds. Depending on the customer's requirements, the imagery can be delivered through a secure file transfer protocol site, an online cloud storage platform, or on a physical storage device such as a USB hard drive.
Does PAU have authority to fly beyond visual line of sight BVLOS?
Yes, PAU can operate BVLOS for transmission line inspection. Our FAA waiver scales to all Department of Energy recognized Utilities in the United States.
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The primary benefit of BVLOS is greater efficiency - leading to reduced cost. The PAU BVLOS waiver for utility inspections does not require a visual observer. Under BVLOS waivers, PAU averages 45 miles of inspections a day.