RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Small aerial drones equipped with cameras soon will begin inspecting high-voltage power lines for Dominion Virginia Power.
The Richmond Times-Dispatchreports the utility has been testing the unmanned aircraft at its Chester training facility since last year. The company hopes to use drones after storms to determine where and how lines are damaged before sending in repair crews
Their first test around live wires is scheduled for next month in the Northern Neck.
Dominion Virginia Power is working with vendors that already have Federal Aviation Administration approval to fly drones for commercial use, including Hazon Solutions of Virginia Beach.
Each 25- to 30-pound drone is flown using a two-person team, with one controlling the flight and the other scanning the area for any safety concerns and operating the cameras.
