Insitu

Boeing subsidiary InSitu has conducted test flight of its ScanEagle drones to inspect a 132-mile long railway track in remote areas of New Mexico, US.

InSitu conducted the test flights in collaboration with BNSF railway, where a series of flights between Clovis and Belin was planned. The programme is a part of a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) project to develop regulations for the commercial use of drones.

The company claimed to have completed the first commercial operations beyond the visual line of sight with an unmanned aerial system.

ScanEagle is capable of flying for up to 24h and on the first day of operations, ScanEagle provided real-time video covering 64 miles of the 132-mile stretch of railway track.

The unmanned aerial system is powered by aviation diesel and during the test flights it cruised about 1,000ft above the surface.

"These operations are a positive opportunity to further inform the conversation surrounding the safe integration of unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace."

Insitu president and CEO Ryan M Hartman said: "Our systems have been flying globally for more than a decade, and these operations are a positive opportunity to further inform the conversation surrounding the safe integration of unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace."

The project aims to generate real-time video from drones for having a more efficient means to check for obstructions or damage to the rails.

BNSF Railway operations executive vice-president Greg Fox said: "Our Pathfinder project is expected to be a significant enhancement to the tremendous amount of data and information we already gather as part of our track inspection programme.

"The capabilities these aircraft have to gather additional intelligence that can then be fed in real-time to track inspectors on the ground will fundamentally enhance our program and the safety of the our railroad while helping to keep our people safe in harsh and extreme conditions."


Image: InSitu conducted test flight of its ScanEagle drones to inspect a 132-mile long railway track in remote areas of New Mexico. Photo: courtesy of InSitu.