The New York Power Authority (NYPA announced that it received its first federal approval to conduct unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or Skydio drone operations beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the pilot in command.

This Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waiver enables NYPA to conduct fully remote drone operations for infrastructure inspections and to improve worker safety.

Specifically, this extended drone capability will allow the company to conduct asset and vegetative management inspections at its Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project located in Schoharie County.

NYPA is an industry leader in asset management strategies and is part of an Authority-wide digitization initiative to modernize grid infrastructure to advance the efficient delivery of clean power statewide.

This BVLOS waiver represents a significant step forward for NYPA’s drone program as it continues to support the company’s digitization initiative.

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Source: dronexl.co