GES is Granted Waiver for BVLOS Operations
On September 29, 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved GES’ waiver application to conduct pipeline right-of-way (ROW) inspection via small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) using Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). GES is one of fewer than 100 companies to receive this type of waiver and one of only two environmental consulting firms to apply BVLOS technology to their projects. The award of this waiver is the culmination of close coordination with GES partners, Censys Technology and Iris Automation, in developing the winning combination of technology and risk mitigation strategies, demonstrating to the FAA that GES can conduct their flight operations out of sight of a remote pilot. GES’ concept of operations passes the strictest assessment of safety, ensuring that it does not impose greater risk to other general aviation, people on the ground, or any sensitive infrastructure within the flight path. We anticipate conducting our first mission under this waiver in the second quarter of 2022.
sUAS used for environmental inspection of pipeline ROW is an innovative strategy to:
- Provide more accurate data and analysis
- Increase efficiency of time spent in the field
- Safely access areas that were previously inaccessible on foot
“At GES we value the opportunity to provide effective solutions to challenging problems and see the approval of BVLOS drone operations as a watershed moment to engage the transformation of utility inspection for our clients. With BVLOS technology in its current state, our clients’ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals and agendas can finally start utilizing the growing advantages. BVLOS technology is realizing its potential in the market and only has room to grow which is why we are excited to be leaders in this developing and rapidly evolving industry!”
~ Rich Evans, GES sUAS/Drone Technical Lead
Professional Geologist, PA, FAA Licensed Remote Pilot