PAU wins nation-wide FAA drone infrastructure inspection waiver

Drone data-gathering company Phoenix Air Unmanned (PAU) has received a nation-wide waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration to use FlyFree Systems’ Alta X UAVs during beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) powerline infrastructure inspection missions for clients.

PAU said the FAA waiver allows it to perform BVLOS infrastructure inspections with FlyFree Alta X drones anywhere in the US, including operations over people and moving vehicles. The company secured the authorization following submission of what it called a robust safety case outlining use of electronic airspace surveillance, establishment of clear and defined operating areas, and performance criteria justifying the safety of its BVLOS track record.

Cartersville, GA-based PAU says it previously conducted thousands of miles of BVLOS transmission line drone inspections using more limited FAA waivers. Under those, the company last August reported it had passed the 13,000 mark for