By Jeremiah Beckett
The Cordova Telecom Cooperative (CTC) has been working on a pilot program with Alaska Remote Imaging (ARI) to improve remote site assessments without physically going to the site, which typically requires helicopter use. This pilot is being performed at the Crater Lake site and involves a commercial drone with a custom docking storage system that allows for remote operation of the drone. CTC worked with local fabricators at Peterson Welding to build a custom support system for the drone docking solution.
This pilot program will help prove the required infrastructure has the ability to work in harsh winter conditions and validate specific use cases to improve visibility while reducing the operational costs of supporting remote sites. Additionally, this drone could be utilized in local search and rescue operations by Cordova first responders. The thermal camera allows for lost or distressed persons to be located from the air without tying up resources on the ground.
“When CTC asked us if we could deliver a remote drone solution that could operate year-round, we were eager to take on the challenge. Once proven, this is technology could be used around the state to reduce operating costs and improve safety,” said Matt Gutacker, managing principal of ARI.
CTC is utilizing a DJI Enterprise Dock 2 solution that provides a secure, heated, remote release docking solution that works in temperatures down to -25 degrees Celsius and can handle the harsh winter weather in Cordova. The dock includes sensors for wind speed, rainfall, temperature, and humidity to ensure onsite conditions are known, as well as lightning protection and security system.
The dock holds a commercial drone with a flight time capability of 50 minutes and an operating radius of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) that can be controlled remotely. The drone includes wide-angle cameras, lens defogging, 4K video resolution, and infrared thermal imaging — built in obstacle detection, livestreaming, and return-to-home capabilities. The drone can execute pre-programmed missions as needed, like detailed flight paths to inspect the tower equipment.
“Having the ability to inspect our towers, cabling, and outside infrastructure prior to visiting a site for regular maintenance or support incidents improves our ability to better prepare for the site visit and ensure we have the right materials on hand when we get there,” said Jesse Carter, CTC remote site foreman.
ARI filed for a site-specific Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Waiver on behalf of CTC, which will allow for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This allows the drone to be commercially operated around the tower site without the pilot being physically present, while remaining near proximity to the tower structure. An alternate waiver would apply to any first responder operations that would take place beyond the footprint of the tower site.
“CTC has 14 off-grid remote sites that are costly to access via helicopters, and our fixed cameras can only see so much of the site. The remote drones will help us improve remote visibility and incident response,” said Stephen Phillips, CTC chief technology officer. “We can also leverage these drones to assist our local first responders in search and rescue operations when the event is near one of our remote sites, which is amazing.”
“I commend the leadership of CTC for implementing this new solution,” said Gutacker. “Together we are pioneering a use case that will pave the way for others.”
Gutacker suggests that soon first responders could also use drones to deliver life-saving apparatus or gear to stranded or destressed persons. Objects like inflatable life vests, handheld communication equipment, climbing harness, warm gear, and medical supplies could be supplied by drone. There are drones available on the consumer market now that can lift up to 80 pounds.
CTC will be conducting the drone pilot program through the winter and once vetted, plan to deploy the next version of the solution to more remote sites.
This is another great example of true innovation and thought leadership occurring in Cordova.
Jeremiah Beckett is the CEO of the Cordova Telephone Cooperative.
