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Drone Inspection Services - External

High-resolution optical and thermal UAV inspection of elevated structures, large-area assets, and access-restricted components — delivering close-proximity visual and condition assessment data without scaffolding, rope access, or the shutdown risk that conventional access methods impose.

What Is UAV-Based External Inspection?


UAV (drone) external inspection uses remotely piloted aircraft platforms carrying optical and thermal imaging payloads to conduct close-proximity condition assessment of elevated structures, large-area assets, and components where conventional access methods — scaffolding, rope access, elevated work platforms — would impose disproportionate time, cost, and operational risk relative to the inspection value delivered.


Inspection drones carry high-resolution optical cameras capable of resolving defect-level surface detail — weld cracking, corrosion pitting, coating breakdown, mechanical damage, and structural deformation — from controlled standoff distances and at consistent resolution across the full inspection area. Drone-mounted thermal infrared cameras extend this to thermal condition assessment: insulation voids, CUI initiation zones, hot electrical joints, moisture ingress, and thermal bridging all produce characteristic thermal signatures that optical inspection cannot detect.


All Altair drone inspection operations are conducted by qualified pilots holding applicable national aviation authority approvals. Pre-flight risk assessments, airspace coordination, and operational exclusion zones are established and documented for every deployment.

Where We Apply UAV External Inspection


        Flare stack and chimney stack external condition survey

        Above-ground storage tank roof and upper shell external inspection

        Offshore jacket, topsides, and FPSO external visual survey

        Bridge, jetty, and marine structure external condition assessment

        Wind turbine nacelle and blade external structural survey

        Cooling tower external shell and fill condition assessment

        Industrial building facade, roof structure, and cladding inspection   Insulated piping and equipment thermal screening — CUI risk identification from air

Applicable Codes and Standards


        CAAS (Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore) UAS regulations — operational approvals and flight category requirements

        DGCA and national aviation authority regulations — applicable by country of operation

        API 653 — Storage tank external inspection — UAV survey as supplemental visual method

        API 570 — Piping Inspection Code — external visual inspection requirements

        Client and operator-specific UAV operations procedures and site safety integration requirements