Innovation

Aerial inspections

Innovation

Aerial inspections

Our aerial vegetation inspection program is a key part of how we keep our networks safe and reliable for our customers.

Two Bell 505 helicopters fitted with industry-leading technology are a key part of our annual vegetation management program.

Flown by a team of highly-qualified pilots, the helicopters are fitted with sensor systems, which use LiDAR scanning technology to accurately measure the distance between tree branches or vegetation and the electricity network.

The data creates a 3D image of our entire network, which is then analysed by our team of highly-qualified data analysts to help inform our annual tree-cutting schedule.

Each time the network is inspected, our teams learn more about the environmental conditions and vegetation growing rates across the region we cover. This data helps ensure we know exactly which trees to cut, by how much and at what time.

The helicopters – which fly just 300m above powerlines at a speed of about 130kmh – operate all year round. We normally publish when and where our helicopters will be in action on our social media pages so residents are aware when they may be flying low.

Fleet fast facts

  • Aircraft: Bell 505 helicopters
  • Fleet size: Two aircraft
  • Crew: Two pilots per aircraft
  • Top speed: 232km/h
  • Slow cruise speed for LiDAR capture: 129km/h
  • Range: 617km
  • Aircraft length: 12.93m
  • Aircraft height: 3.25m
  • LiDAR system: RIEGL VUX-240
  • LiDAR scan speed: 1.8MHz and 400 lines per second
  • Data capture: 1TB per aircraft per day

Fleet fast facts

2 aircraft

Two Bell 505 helicopters fitted with industry-leading technology are a key part of our annual vegetation management program.

1TB

per aircraft per day

The data creates a 3D image of our entire network.

617km

Range

We know exactly which trees to cut, by how much and at what time.

130kmh

The helicopters – which fly just 300m above powerlines at a speed of about 130kmh – operate all year round.

Driving innovation forward