A drone performing an inspection of a communications tower

Drone tower inspection Drone tower survey

Drone inspections & surveys of high-value tower assets

Drone inspections and surveys are a great solution for tall and complex structures such as towers. A highly specialist approach is required to inspect them. Using state-of-the-art industrial inspection drone technology, Engineers With Drones offers visual inspections of tower assets. We capture footage and data from previously impossible angles in significantly less time compared to traditional methods. Keeping your staff safe, while inspecting at a faster rate and at a reduced cost. All this without disruption to your operations.

A man conducting a tower inspection with a drone

Let's talk

Working with you

From storm response to pre-climb flights or regularly scheduled inspections, our experienced pilots will work directly with you to provide the actionable data you need.

Let's talk
A shot of a mast being inspected
Locate Irregularities

Locate Irregularities

Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras allow you to accurately assess the condition of a tower. Infrared photographs can be used to detect extreme temperature differences that can locate otherwise unseen issues, such as concealed moisture damage and heat leakage.

A detailed shot of the steel lattice work of a large communications tower
Remote Monitoring

Remote Monitoring

The use of drone 3D modelling technologies gives you the opportunity to inspect a digital twin of a tower from the comfort of your office. This detailed replica can be inspected at a minute level, allowing you to make a record of any areas that are in need of attention. Issues such as poorly executed repairs, general damage and other potential weaknesses can be shared with your employees, suppliers and other shareholders at the click of a button.

Structural bolts details of a large tower
Next Level Detail

Next Level Detail

Drones equipped with LIDAR technology produce high-resolution 3D models and maps of your tower. LIDAR deliverables allow you to remotely inspect tower forensics and assessments at the highest level of detail.

Close up of two bolts on a large steel tower
Access Hard-To-Reach Areas

Access Hard-To-Reach Areas

The use of specialist impact-resistance technology deployed with our drones allows us to access areas that are otherwise too hazardous or difficult to reach. Get instant data from confined spaces without the time-consuming, labour-intensive and costly methods of the past, and with zero risk to personnel.

Why choose us?

Qualified engineers

As licensed engineers, we also provide the expertise, understanding, and knowledge necessary to carry out a thorough inspection, with deliverables to match. Our skilled engineers are at the ready.

IAA certification

The Irish Aviation Authority has awarded Engineers with Drones full approval in accordance with the most recent European-wide EASA regulations.

Latest technology

To ensure that you always get the best possible service and cutting-edge deliverables, we purchase the most up-to-date drone technology as soon as it's available.

Rigorous HSSE standards

The operation of Engineers With Drones is governed by a comprehensive HSSE system. Our guiding principles are to reduce risk through rigorous assessment, and to maintain a high level of staff education and training.

Fully insured

We have 6.5 million in public and product liability insurance, and 13 million in employers' liability insurance. Engineers with Drones are fully insured to fly wherever you need.

Based in Ireland

As we're situated in Ireland, we can respond to your needs quickly, with zero travel complications.

First-class deliverables

As seasoned engineers in the field, we are aware of the trouble that shoddy reports and deliverables can create. For this reason, we provide you with exactly what you require.

Quick turnaround times

Thanks to our fast turnaround times, your entire project can be completed in a fraction of the time of traditional methods, without any compromise in the quality of your deliverables.

4K and VR Footage

In addition to quadrupling the resolution of an HD camera, 4K also gives you quicker frame rates, incredible contrast variations, and expanded colours. VR video takes the level of immersion and clarity to the next level.

Why use a drone for your tower inspection?

Safety

The safety of your personnel and our own is paramount, and we place it at the forefront of our company culture. Ask us about our HSSE systems and practices.

Cost-efficient

Drone inspections take up less of your manhours and resources than traditional inspections, giving you a faster and more budget-friendly return on your investment.

No traffic disruption

Downtime is expensive, unpopular and inconvenient. Using a drone, our engineers can conduct a thorough survey with little to no downtime.

No risk to your assets

Our equipment won't touch or even go close to your assets. Our high-resolution cameras use optical zoom to give extreme close-up views while staying a safe distance away.

Detect hidden problems

We use cutting-edge technologies to detect problems that would otherwise be invisible. These include ultra-HD photography/video, LIDAR and thermal imaging.

Hard-to-reach spaces

Drones aren't just for flying up in the sky. Our specialist drones can fly into confined spaces like chimneys and boilers to look for issues that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Quick turnaround

We understand that you need answers fast. We can deliver a plain-English report with clear-cut conclusions in days. Then, you can take the steps you need to and get back to doing what you do best.

No scaffolding or ropes

Drone technology is cheaper, safer and more reliable than traditional methods such as scaffolding, cherry-pickers and ropes. It's also quicker and less labour-intensive. We will bring everything we need and be out of your way that same day.

One drone inspection can pick up all the minor issues that could become big, expensive problems.

How we can provide assistance

The inspection of tower structures and tall chimneys using traditional methods can be very dangerous. It is also time-consuming and labour-intensive. Not only does it involve asset downtime and working long hours in dangerous environments, but also unproductive gaps between data collection and feedback.

A drone's view of an electrical pylon
Get a closer look without the hassle, delays or risk

Using drones to get a better overview of the status of your tower

Resolving break-downs, detecting abnormalities and carrying out routine inspections, have all become more streamlined and efficient with the use of drones. Our drones reach heights and angles that are simply not possible using structural assistance. We can also record footage from a distance, or get right up next to a mast or tower without causing any disruption. Multiple angles and distances allow for a clearer understanding of your assets' condition. All this can be achieved without the time constraints of erecting structural assistance, giving you the information you need instantly.

Quick turnaround of reports and detailed information

Faster reports and diagnosis mean quicker implementation of fixes with savings made in the short and long-term. The zoom capabilities of our cameras mean that, even from a distance, the quality of the image recorded is of super-high detail.

Regular inspections

It is important to perform inspections of your tower assets on a routine basis. This is to ensure they are structurally safe for maintenance personnel and the public. Inspections using drones are a proven low-cost way to help gather vital information to help prioritise and plan maintenance activities.

Pre-climb flight

A pre-climb drone inspection will optimise your technicians' time. It will not only identify potential climbing and safety issues, but also the right tools needed for any repairs. This not only reduces the risk to maintenance teams by avoiding multiple dangerous climbs, but also the overall cost.

Storm and Damage assessment

We perform fast visual inspections of towers to determine the status of the structure and cabling after a storm. Our status report will help you prioritise the needed repairs.

How does it work?

Reach out and tell us your idea

We take emails, phone calls, messages, everything! If you are unsure of what's possible we are happy to advise, the most important thing is to get in touch. We would be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

Start at the end

With drones, it's best to begin where you want to end up. What sort of deliverable would you like when it's all finished? If you are not sure then we can advise. We can look at what you would like and work backwards from there.

Scope of work and set a price

Once we have agreed on what is to be done, the scope of work is set and a price is agreed upon. We feel it is vital that everyone knows what they are getting and what they are paying for it. There should be no confusion.

Permits and other paperwork

Once we have confirmation you are happy to proceed, we start the ball rolling. We organise things like RAMS, site permits, Air Traffic Control clearance and much more. Basically, we generate everything needed to turn up on-site with all our ducks in a row.

Field Operations

Next, we do the work on site. We have the gear, we have the know-how, so now it's time to get the job done. This can sometimes be affected by the weather, but for the most part, we get the job done on the date specified.

Post Processing

This is where we take what we generated in the field and turn it into a final deliverable for you. This can be anything from the raw data itself, to fully processed Orthophotos, condition reports, CAD line work or thermal imagery.

Handover

The final step is the handover of the deliverables. We tend to use a cloud-based service, so you can access your data anywhere. We can also tie into your existing systems if that is more convenient.

Get a quote

Our Services Not just photos from the sky

Spoiler alert: we don't do weddings! We're professional engineers who have learned to fly drones really well. If you're looking for a photo of your garden or a swooshing shot of your wedding reception, we're probably not the right people for you. But if you need an engineer's eyes and experience, combined with next-generation UAV technology and industry-leading deliverables, then you've come to the right place.

Drone Photography

Capture high-quality imagery of your assets from never before seen vantage points.

Find out more
Thermal Imaging

Detect abnormalities within your assets that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye.

Find out more
Photogrammetry

Capture real-world locations and assets digitally, for quicker and more cost-efficient inspections.

Find out more

What technology do we use for tower inspections?

We purchase the latest drones as they come on the market to ensure you are getting the highest quality service from us at all times. Here is a quick look at what we would be most likely to use for a typical drone tower inspection.

Our equipment
DJI MatriceM300 RTK M300 RTK by DJI

Our flagship drone: The M300 RTK by DJI is the premier enterprise-level inspection drone on the market. With a flight time of up to 55 minutes, lots of built-in redundancy, and a host of payloads to choose from, this is our go-to UAV for inspection work. When coupled with the Zenmuse H20T camera, it is capable of safely inspecting high-value assets at a stand-off range.

  • Drone
  • Camera
  • Thermal Imaging
  • Ultra HD
  • Long range
More info
Our equipment
DJIZenmuse H20T Zenmuse H20T by DJI

One payload with a multitude of sensors. The H20T is specifically designed for conducting inspections of high-value assets. When coupled with the Matrice M300 aircraft, the various sensors on the H20T give the operator a wide array of options to get the best imagery possible.

  • Camera
  • Thermal
  • High-resolution
  • Wide-angle
More info

People often ask us about...

Our Equipment
Check out our cutting-edge drone equipment and find out what it can do for you.

Read more...

IAA Certification
We are fully accredited by the Irish Aviation Authority to the latest European-wide EASA regulations.

Read more...

HSSE
Health and safety is a core principle of our business. Find out how we put these principles into practice.

Read more...

Fully insured
We hold 13m employers' liability insurance and 6.5m public & product liability insurance.

Read more...

Deliverables
Tell us what you need in your inbox, and we will start planning from there. Fully customised.

Read more...

Expert engineers
We are experienced engineers with strong technical backgrounds.

Read more...

Irish location
Based in Ireland, we'll be with you quickly - ready with all the correct permits.

Read more...

The Weather
Find out how we factor the weather into when we provide drone services.

Read more...

We have worked with...