SkyBEAM UAV Approved by FAA for Nighttime Comm Ops
Volume 4
May 2016 Edition
SkyBEAM UAV Approved by FAA for Nighttime Comm Ops
A highly trained two-person crew , including a licensed pilot , operates the UAV safely on the ground . SkyBEAM can fly horizontally across roofs , or vertically
up to 400 feet ( approximately 40 stories ).
Tremco SkyBEAM UAV first to be Approved by FAA for Nighttime Commercial Operation
SkyBEAM unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAVs ) from Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) for the first nighttime commercial drone operation in the US . SkyBEAM is also approved to operate during the day .
The groundbreaking SkyBEAM ( Building Envelope Aerial Mapping ) UAV flies around buildings and uses high-definition ( HD ) video and thermographic ( infrared ) cameras to locate where they may have energy leaks , rooftop damage , deteriorating façades , safety issues and other potential problems .
SkyBEAM ’ s thermographic camera shows temperature variations around a building that indicate problems , such as poor or missing window sealing or wet rooftop insulation , that can lead to significant capital expenses , increased operating costs , occupant discomfort and other issues .
Infrared scanning is most effective at night , when the sun is not warming the building . Traditional infrared scans require technicians to traverse rooftops at night , while façade inspections dictate working from scaffolding or cranes . SkyBEAM is safer , faster , more cost effective and more accurate than conventional methods of mapping buildings .
In addition to its infrared scanning capability , SkyBEAM has an exceptionally high resolution video camera that can easily read the fine print on a warranty from 50 feet . This camera can map potential building problems , such as gaps or tears in the roof , tiny cracks or movement in the façade , deteriorating concrete and the need for appropriate rooftop safety equipment . “ Using SkyBEAM to gather building data is the best solution overall ,” said Tremco Roofing Vice President of Sales Paul Sheehy . “ We program the UAV to fly to a precise height , do the mapping and return . We can now map buildings without the time and expense of using tools such as scaffolding . SkyBEAM enables us to find problems for our customers that would have been virtually impossible to detect before , and without risking people ’ s safety .” Technicians can then safely mark problem areas during the day for removal and replacement , or further analysis if necessary . A highly trained two-person crew , including a licensed pilot , operates the UAV safely on the ground . SkyBEAM can fly horizontally across roofs , or vertically up to 400 feet ( approximately 40 stories ). It can reach speeds of 25 mph and retain its flight path in winds of up to 25 mph and gusts reaching 50 mph . Toronto-based Industrial SkyWorks ( ISW ), a leader in aerial building inspections using unmanned technologies , developed SkyBEAM in partnership with Tremco Roofing . ISW has been operating Tremco Roofing SkyBEAM drones in Canada over the past 18 months to great success . The FAA has approved ISW to operate SkyBEAM commercially in the U . S ; SkyBEAM is available to Tremco Roofing ’ s customers through our exclusive relationship with ISW .
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