Skyports launches remote BVLOS drone surveys for HumeLink West
Skyports Drone Services is conducting fully automated BVLOS drone surveys from Sydney to monitor construction of the HumeLink West electricity transmission project over 350km away, under a CASA Broad Area approval.
Skyports Drone Services is conducting automated beyond visual line of sight drone surveys from Sydney to monitor the HumeLink West transmission project in New South Wales. The flights are remotely piloted from Skyports’ operations centre in Lane Cove, more than 350 kilometers from the construction site, using a permanently installed drone-in-a-box system.
This deployment follows a 12-month extended visual line of sight surveying program where Skyports used LiDAR-equipped drones to map terrain and monitor vegetation clearing. The HumeLink West programme is the first CIMIC Group project in Australia authorised for fully remote BVLOS drone operations.
Project Scope
According to Skyports, HumeLink West includes approximately 140 kilometers of new 500kV double-circuit transmission lines and two substations. This forms part of Transgrid’s larger HumeLink project, which aims to strengthen Australia’s electricity network and support the integration of renewable energy.
Technology and Operations
A DJI Dock 2 deployed at the Maragle substation construction site conducts automated surveys every two weeks. Skyports operates the system from its Remote Operations Centre in Lane Cove, Sydney, which is over 350km away from the site. Survey data is processed using the DroneDeploy reality capture platform, which creates detailed two-dimensional and three-dimensional site models for construction teams to monitor progress and track changes over time.
Regulatory and Operational Advantages
Skyports conducts the flights under its Broad Area BVLOS Drone Approval from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This authorization allows the company to self-authorise qualifying BVLOS missions in eligible remote and sparsely populated areas, significantly reducing deployment times. The approval enables a dramatic increase in operational range.
| Operation Type | Typical Range from Deployment Point |
|---|---|
| BVLOS Missions | 8-10 kilometers |
| Conventional VLOS Operations | 0.5-1 kilometer |
Skyports says it is among a small number of Australian operators holding this type of authorization.
Efficiency and Safety Benefits
The remote drone system can survey up to five times more area in a single day compared to traditional on-site drone survey methods. This efficiency gain allows for more frequent and comprehensive site monitoring. Remote flights also reduce the need for survey personnel to enter difficult terrain or active construction zones, enhancing safety.
Tim Burns, Project Director for HumeLink West, said the remote drone surveys give construction teams a clear and consistent picture of site activity, enabling more effective progress tracking and quicker issue response. Skyports expects its global fleet of permanently deployed drone-in-a-box systems to reach 25 units by the end of 2026, with plans for the fleet to more than double during 2027.
