SHUTTERSTOCK/PETERI
Engineers use a DJI Mavic Pro drone to
inspect solar panels near Pilsen, Czech Republic.
control paramount in its UAS operations, just as it does for traditional aviation. Timberland also teaches other drone operators how to
comply with 14 CFR Part 107, the FAA’s rules for small UAS operations. With their background in helicopter operations, the company’s licensed pilots and instructors are able to provide new entrants to the field with a thorough under- standing of aviation standards and best practices.
Improving Safety Like any other organization investigating drone use, police departments must determine whether a UAS is the right tool for the job. Tey also have to navigate challenges such as public acceptance and bureaucratic obstacles. Mark Colborn, a longtime law enforcement helicopter pilot who recently retired from full-time duty with the Dallas (Texas) Police Department (DPD) and who also serves on the FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee, says the department first considered bringing a UAS into its aviation operations in 2015. But, Colborn told the HAI webinar participants, “in government, nothing ever happens fast.” Te DPD, however, has since renamed its Helicopter Unit
the Air Support Unit and divided the unit into two squads, the Helicopter Squad and the UAS Squad. Te DPD recruited four police officers from other units in the department to staff the UAS Squad full time. All four officers have remote pilot certificates and, along with a sergeant assigned to the
42 ROTOR SEPTEMBER 2021
unit, expect to begin operating the DPD’s 16 drones in October after receiving final approval from the city council. One planned use for the UASs will be to monitor protests.
Colborn sees drones as a safe and efficient platform that can help de-escalate a situation and increase officer safety. Te FAA has granted a certificate of authorization to allow the unit’s drones to fly in the Dallas city airspace. In addition to monitoring public gatherings, the UASs will perform missions for the DPD’s SWAT unit as well as other city departments. However, Colborn points out that DPD policy forbids using the aircraft for surveillance purposes and says the department is working to gain public acceptance of the drones.
Proven Utility A public energy utility that operates in 16 states, Dominion Energy began using UASs in 2015 to inspect transmission infrastructure in Virginia. Nate Robie, Dominion’s manager of unmanned systems, says the utility is now using drones in all operational segments, including nuclear, hydroelectric, and solar power generation, and in electric and natural gas distribution. Dominion has in-house drone capability, and it employs external vendors as well. Once they had access to them, Dominion field technicians
found multiple ways to use drones, and the company is looking forward to BVLOS operations when permitted. “Tat’s when you’ll see the most efficient use of UAS,” Robie said during the webinar.
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