EVO II (Any/all version) and High Voltage transmission lines

[Tobimashou]

I'll be flying an EVO II Pro v1 for an upcoming photo mapping job. This site has 120' tall 115,000 Volt power lines crossing over about 1/4 of the mission area. Autel ads for newer V3 EVO II's show them being used for power line inspections which would suggest they are either not effected by EMI or only slightly so that you could safely fly near/next to them. Is that true for earlier v1 models, too?

If I fly 100' above the power lines at about 220', for example, can I expect that EMI won't interfere? My VO and I will be at least 100' horizontally away from the lines which will help insure the power lines are never between the controller and the drone. My two concerns are loss of control/flyaway and whether the drone will just decide to land right there.... potentially hitting a power line. I don't want to be 'that guy' who causes a blackout and gets a huge fine.

My questions:
1. Any feedback from v1 users regarding power lines?
2. Are v2 or v3 EVO II's different in how they handle EMI and other related issues? (I'm going to be buying a new drone this spring and thinking v3)
3. Any hints, tips/tricks, or suggestions?
4. If you've had issues, what were they?
5. Did you contact the power company before flying? Not so much for permission (It's unregulated airspace) but for any other reason?
6. Does Skywatch insurance cover knocking out power to thousands of people due to a drone mishap? If not, is there another option?

Thank you

 

[redleger]

I have not flown inspection missions before, but I have flown around power lines and "threaded the needle" a few times to get angles necessary for the job. I have not experienced any issues with connection or video transmission. Controls and visuals were all normal. 100ft above the power lines should not cause any issues with EMI.

As for your other questions, more experienced pilots could probably answer better. Last question should be a direct question from the provider.

 

[nhwhelehan]

Similar to redleger, I too flew many times right along and over high power lines with a V1, and never had issues.

 

[AirStag]

I have flown my V1s near lots of large power lines without any issues. I can not say how many volts they were though.

 

[DroneLogix]

Your planned height of 100 ft above or away from the transmission lines will significantly reduce any direct EMI. I wouldn't expect any significant challenges from the lines. No need to contact the transmission line owner, unless you are directly accessing their property. And no, Skywatch won't cover claims related to knocking out power to thousands, but they might cover any direct property damage attributable to your drone impacting another's property, subject to their claims review and your coverage limits. In our business, this is where other policy types come into play, such as separate General Liability or Umbrella Liability policies. Talk to your agent for guidance. The risk of your drone knocking out power to thousands due to an impact of your drone with a transmission line is not a real risk (the point of impact requires a contact with ground to create an electrocution or electrical short risk), however, the total loss of your drone in this scenario is very real.

We have lots of experience flying over and around high powered transmission lines, a few substations, cell towers, radio towers, and solar fields, with no significant problems to report using the EVO II Pro V2 and V3, both Pro/8K and Enterprise models using the Smart Controller. We have encountered issues when pilots are using a cell phone as their display and app host, so we recommend the Smart Controller for projects where interference is a reasonably stong concern. Given what you shared, I don't consider your project to be a high risk project.

As with any location, you could experience challenges due to environmental issues, but you will figure out how to mitigate once in the field. EMI interference and WiFi interference are potential risks when flying around energized equipment or structures, but in most cases you mitigate by changing your aircraft position relative to the area where interference is observed - either moving a distance away, climbing above, or dropping below. Transmission lines generally pose a lower risk of interference than active radio and cell towers, as long as you aren't performing a close inspection of energized high-power transmission lines and their towers. You will often notice pixelated or dropped-frame video transmission issues when you are encountering interference, regardless of type of interference. In extreme cases, you can lose video signal and/or connection with your drone and the RC. Maintaining good visual line of sight is critical when working higher-risk locations. Before you fly, ALWAYS set your Return To Home (RTH) altitude to a level well above your tallest structure in the area of your flight path to mitigate risk of loss due to an automated return flight that you can't control. Setting a distance limit can also prove helpful to reduce risk, but is less important than RTH altitude. You shouldn't rely on vision sensors or AI software to manage obstacle risks, so always identify and set your RTH altitude for each project location. If you have any questions about height, fly your drone straight up and measure the tallest structure to be certain of the correct altitude. And always consider your takeoff location relative to the risks present. Maintaining a clear flight path, without having to fly over or around structures , is always ideal, if it can be managed. Sometimes you need to break a project into multiple takeoff locations to manage risks.

We have experienced drift and difficulty managing direction control when flying DJI drones around high powered building substations, but only when flying within about 15-25 feet of the EMI source. Our Autel drones have proven more reliable in these settings.

Hope this proves useful!
David
DroneLogix, LLC

 

[Sgee]

Flying your Autel EVO II Pro v1 near high-voltage power lines requires careful planning to ensure safety and signal integrity. Here's what you need to know:

1. EMI Concerns with EVO II Pro v1:

• Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): High-voltage power lines can emit electromagnetic fields that may interfere with your drone's compass and GPS systems. While some pilots report minimal issues, others have experienced significant interference. For instance, a pilot reported losing their drone due to radio interference and GPS jamming near power lines, leading to incorrect positioning and loss of control.
  

2. Comparison with EVO II Pro v2 and v3:

• Advancements in Technology: Newer models like the EVO II Pro v2 and v3 may have improved shielding and sensors to better handle EMI. However, specific enhancements regarding EMI resistance aren't explicitly documented. It's advisable to consult Autel's official resources or contact their support for detailed information.

3. Best Practices for Flying Near Power Lines:

• Maintain Safe Distance: Always keep a considerable distance from power lines to minimize EMI effects.
• Monitor Signal Strength: Continuously observe your drone's signal and be prepared to take manual control if interference occurs.
• Plan Flight Path: Design your mission to avoid flying directly over or under power lines.
• Pre-Flight Communication: While not always mandatory, informing the local power company about your flight can be beneficial for safety and coordination.

4. Insurance Considerations:

• Liability Coverage: Ensure your drone insurance policy covers potential damages caused by interference-related incidents. Providers like SkyWatch.AI offer liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage.
  
  
• Policy Exclusions: Be aware that some policies may exclude coverage for incidents caused by electromagnetic interference. Review your policy details or consult with your insurer to understand the extent of your coverage.

5. Additional Tips:

• Test Flights: Conduct preliminary flights in similar environments to assess how your drone responds to potential EMI.
• Firmware Updates: Keep your drone's firmware up to date to benefit from any improvements related to signal processing and interference mitigation.
• Emergency Protocols: Establish clear procedures for regaining control or safely landing the drone if interference disrupts normal operations.

By adhering to these guidelines and maintaining open communication with relevant authorities, you can enhance the safety and success of your photo mapping mission near power lines.