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Case Study Confined Space Inspections

1,200 m
Penstock covered in the reported inspection
Just over 15 minutes
Reported time to complete the inspection
Up to 24 minutes
ASIO X flight time stated in the case study

The challenge

Inspecting a long penstock with restricted access

Access to the inside of a long penstock can be difficult, limiting the options for a conventional inspection. Sending people into a confined or hard-to-reach area also brings significant health and safety considerations.

Alternative inspection methods can require costly access arrangements and extended work on site. The inspection needed an approach that could reach the area, provide useful coverage and reduce the need for people to enter the penstock.

The drone needed to operate in GNSS-denied conditions, with limited light and restricted access.
The reported inspection covered 1,200 metres of penstock in just over 15 minutes.

Case at a glance

A longer-range confined-space inspection

Sector: Infrastructure inspection

Asset: Penstock

Platform: Flybotix ASIO X

Inspection length: 1,200 m

Reported duration: Just over 15 minutes

The approach

Plan for the asset. Use extended flight time. Inspect at the pace the task requires.

Iprosurv used the Flybotix ASIO X for an internal penstock inspection. Its coaxial system is designed to optimise energy use, supporting longer flight times in confined environments. The case study reports that a 1,200 m penstock inspection was completed in just over 15 minutes.

01

Consider the inspection task

Take account of the asset’s length, access points, environment and level of detail required.

02

Use the ASIO X’s endurance

Use a platform designed for extended flight in confined spaces, with stated flight times of up to 24 minutes.

03

Match speed to the detail needed

Adjust the inspection pace to suit the distance, complexity of the environment and information required.

The result

A 1,200-metre penstock inspected in just over 15 minutes

The reported inspection demonstrated how the Flybotix ASIO X’s extended flight capability could support work across a long penstock. The 1,200-metre inspection was completed in just over 15 minutes.

Longer flight time can reduce the need for frequent landings and battery changes, helping keep an inspection moving. It can also give the pilot more opportunity to work at a pace suited to examining the structure.

What the inspection demonstrated

More inspection time across a challenging asset

✓
A reported inspection length of 1,200 metres
✓
Completion in just over 15 minutes
✓
ASIO X flight time stated as up to 24 minutes
✓
Fewer interruptions from repeated battery changes

Why it matters

Longer flights can make a difference when access points are far apart

In a confined-space inspection, every landing and battery change can interrupt the work. A platform with extended endurance can help teams cover longer sections and reduce the frequency of those interruptions.

The right flight time still depends on the environment, sensor use and inspection requirements. Careful planning helps determine whether a particular drone is suitable for the asset and task.

Start with the asset

Need to inspect a penstock or another confined space?

Tell us about the structure, access points and inspection requirements. We’ll help you assess whether a drone could support the work.

Talk to Iprosurv

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