Looking after Scotland’s heritage, expert architects from Historic Scotland have been using our remote-controlled "drone" to safely and cost effectively survey ancient Stirling Bridge.

The team, who look after the stone built, four-arched structure, which dates back to late 15^th Century, used Cyberhawk’s ultra-stable hovering platform to photograph and assess what repair work needed to be done.

Tom Gaze, Stirling district architect for Historic Scotland, said "We

needed to assess this properly, but putting up scaffolding is quite

expensive, so we got in touch with Cyberhawk" 

Mr Gaze said the technology allowed a survey to take place in a matter of

hours rather than days. "It's quite unusual, but a lot quicker and gets us

a lot closer to the masonry on the bridge," the architect added.

Read the whole story on attached link to BBC website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-15737359

Up to now, the LNG operator would have had to shut down the flare and either lower the stack to the ground or use a crane in order to carry out a rudimentary inspection. Problems can arise with this ‘one shot’ approach when unexpected repairs are required and spare parts are not readily available. Using the Cyberhawk ROAV enabled the company to inspect the flare ‘live’ prior to scheduled shutdown  at a convenient time. This ensured replacement parts could be ordered in advance and overall ‘down time’ was minimised.

Chris Fleming, Operations Director, Cyberhawk Innovations says: “As everyone knows the Middle East has more refineries and petro-chem facilities than anywhere else on the planet. The fact we are able to inspect assets during normal refinery operations means that operators can save significant time and money ”. 

Chris adds: “Expert analysis of the images can identify any potential faults that require attention long before they become major issues. It’s fair to say the client was absolutely delighted with the results and now they can plan their maintenance in a more timely fashion.”

Cyberhawk uses ROAVs – Remotely Operated Aerial Vehicles – equipped with HD video and still cameras to carry out technical inspections of a wide variety of structures including live flare towers, chimney stacks, cooling towers, wind turbines and electricity pylons. For further information please visit www.cyberhawkinnovations.co.uk or call +44 1506 592187.

 Cyberhawk Innovations has been shortlisted for the Energy North Awards 2011* (www.energynorth.co.uk ).  The nomination in the “Best Service Supply” category has been made by Cyberhawk customer, Scottish & Southern Energy plc (SSE).

The company is the world’s leading supplier of aerial inspection and surveying services using UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

Cyberhawk has recently carried out a number of inspection and surveying projects for SSE ranging from inspection of cooling towers and electricity pylons to topographical land and route surveys.   This has culminated in the granting of a three-year framework agreement worth six figures to provide remote inspection and surveying services.

Malcolm Connolly, co-founder and technical director, Cyberhawk Innovations said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for this award.  SSE has put its faith in us to deliver a highly professional inspection service and it pays testament to the skills and dedication of the Cyberhawk team that we have been recognised in this way.”

Cyberhawk uses ROAVs – Remotely Operated Aerial Vehicles – equipped with HD video and still cameras to carry out technical inspections of a wide variety of structures including live flare towers, chimney stacks, wind turbines and electricity pylons.  For further information please visit www.cyberhawkinnovations.co.uk or call +44(0)1506 592187.

*The Energy North Awards are designed to recognise the contribution businesses and individuals have made to developing the energy industry in the Highlands & Islands whether it be a project, service, technology or investment in skills.  The awards will be held on 29^th September at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness.

Cyberhawk Innovations, the world's leading remote inspection and survey service company, has recently completed its first overseas assignment for a global petrochemical company. Both flare and chimney inspections were carried out for petrochemical giant INEOS at their Cologne site using Cyberhawk’s Remotely Operated Aerial Vehicle (ROAV) equipped with HD video and still photography cameras. The ROAV is similar to a military drone and is controlled from the ground by an experienced operator. 

Up to now, INEOS in Cologne would have had to shut down the flare and either lower the stack to the ground or use a crane in order to carry out an inspection. In this ‘one shot’ approach issues can arise if unexpected repairs are required and spare parts are not readily available. Using the Cyberhawk ROAV enabled the company to inspect the flare ‘on line’ prior to scheduled shutdown and at a convenient time. This ensured replacement parts could be ordered in advance and overall ‘off line’ time was minimised.

Malcolm Connolly, Director, Cyberhawk Innovations says: “We’re pleased to have INEOS, as a client in the UK and delighted to work with INEOS in Cologne. This opportunity came about when one of INEOS’ senior Germany engineers was on secondment to their Grangemouth plant and was impressed by our ROAV inspection method.  As a result, we were invited to Cologne to discuss the use of the ROAVs to inspect chimneys and flares.” 

Malcolm adds: “The ROAV is able to quickly obtain highly detailed images of complex and sometimes inaccessible structures. Expert analysis of these images can identify any potential faults that require attention. Moreover, using this method avoids all the health and safety issues normally associated with a manual inspection at height. The client was absolutely delighted with the results and now they can plan their maintenance in a more timely fashion.”

Operations Manager at INEOS Cologne, Dr Christoph Breitkopf comments: “We were aware of the capabilities of Cyberhawk from their activities at our site in Grangemouth. Their aerial drone enabled us to inspect the flare safely and efficiently whilst it was still in operation and in advance of our scheduled shutdown. Inspection using images provided from the aerial ROAV proved most beneficial in allowing us to ascertain the condition of the flare and plan in advance the schedule for its overhaul.”

Cyberhawk uses ROAVs – Remotely Operated Aerial Vehicles – equipped with HD video and still cameras to carry out technical inspections of a wide variety of structures including live flare towers, chimney stacks, cooling towers, wind turbines and electricity pylons. For further information please visit www.cyberhawkinnovations.co.uk or call +44 1506 592187.

VIEW THIS ARTICLE IN GERMAN

Leading remote inspection service company Cyberhawk Innovations has completed the world’s first aerial inspection of a live gas flare stack at a well known Scottish oil and gas refinery using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). 

Cyberhawk’s remotely operated UAVs can be equipped with HD video, still photography and thermal imaging equipment.  The UAV, similar to a military drone, was flown within a few meters of the 100m high structure. Superb resolution images of the flare stack were captured enabling a detailed technical assessment of its condition.

Live inspection of the flare stack had several advantages.  Knowledge of the flare condition prior to shutdown meant the client could accurately assess the extent of remedial work in terms of cost, time and repair effort required. Also, because ‘long lead time’ spare parts were needed, these were ordered in advance from the manufacturer, saving even more time.  The alternative would have been to import a large crane from continental Europe at substantial cost. The inspection itself was carried out by Cyberhawk’s Inspection Engineers who are CSWIP (Certification Scheme for Welding and Inspection Personnel) qualified.

“The use of the UAV has proven to be highly cost-effective, safe and practical for the client,” said Douglas Walker, Director, Cyberhawk Innovations.  “Use of this innovative aerial inspection technique has meant that our clients can plan a shutdown well in advance as they now have a detailed assessment of what repairs and maintenance will need to be carried out.  It also avoids the inherent health and safety dangers of people working at height to inspect such tall structures.  Using the UAV we are able to access very difficult to reach areas and obtain detailed images which are invaluable in carrying out an engineering assessment.”

Cyberhawk uses UAVs – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – equipped with HD video and still cameras to carry out technical inspections of a wide variety of structures including live flare towers, chimney stacks, cooling towers, wind turbines and electricity pylons.  For further information please visit www.cyberhawkinnovations.co.uk or call +44(0)1506 592187.

A close inspection of the flare tips for variations in the flame pattern and for signs of structural deterioration should take place every five years. The aerial survey took two days and avoided the need to shut down the line to isolate the flare – a time-consuming operation. “Nearly all the shots taken were of good quality,” said mechanical supervisor Craig Paterson. “They showed that the flare tips were in good condition for their age and length of service.” The flare tips safely evacuate gas from the plant in an emergency or for operational needs.

Innovative technology has been used for the first time on site during the recent KG turnaround (TAR), with the deployment of an ‘eye in the sky’.  Cyberhawk Innovations, a world leader in remote aerial inspection and surveying, was brought in to use their latest unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and patented technology to inspect two flare tips during the TAR. 

Alister Young TAR Manager explains “Prior to the TAR we carried out a number of trials to prove the system capability and demonstrate the versatility of the UAV.  Fitted with high definition video and stills cameras the UAV was able to capture the most detailed images of the flare tips whilst the flare was in operation and in shutdown mode. This enabled us to examine the condition of the flare tips and removed the need for us to work at height.”

The inspection of the flare tips was just one of 1300 jobs that were completed during the 45-day TAR which had been almost a year in the planning and preparation.  The work scope also included major cleaning works to equipment and piping systems, inspection of columns, exchangers, and the overhaul of over 400 control caves and safety valves.  A large number of plant modifications and projects were also completed.

The company will use its unmanned aerial vehicles to inspect cooling towers and electricity pylons, as well as carrying out topographical land surveys.

http://www.scotsman.com/industry/Aerial-drone-outfit-swoops-on.6753489.jp

Cyberhawk Innovations has signed a three-year deal to inspect and survey parts of Scottish and Southern Energy's network. The framework agreement is worth a six-figure sum to the Livingston company. Previously Cyberhawk has used its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to carry out inspections on cooling towers and electricity pylons plus conduct topographical land surveys for SSE. The UAV can be equipped with high definition cameras, thermal imaging devices and other sensors to capture data.

Douglas Walker, managing director of Cyberhawk Innovations, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have won this contract.  "SSE has put its faith in us to deliver a highly professional inspection service and it pays testament to the skills and dedication of the Cyberhawk team that we have secured this substantial contract. "We have shown that using the UAVs offers many advantages over manual inspection. The UAV can inspect areas of the structure which would be impossible to photograph using conventional methods."
 
Nigel Ellis, business manager at SSE said: "Cyberhawk has proven its capabilities on a number of assignments from a technical and operational perspective.  "We therefore have the confidence to agree a long-term contract with them to provide aerial inspection services across the group."

Cyberhawk was founded in 2008 and currently employs 14 people.

http://www.business7.co.uk/business-news/scottish-business-news/2011/04/14/cyberhawk-innovations-wins-sse-deal-106408-23060949/

Years spent working within the oil and gas sector gave both Douglas and Malcolm a clear understanding of the demands and dangers of working at height. Planned and corrective maintenance of rigs requires regular inspections of inaccessible structures, such as jacket legs and flare tips. By developing a stable, versatile UAV platform with high definition video, stills and even thermal imaging capability, Cyberhawk has been able to reduce costs, save time and improve safety.

What was a fledgling technology in late 2008 has since morphed into an innovation with a seemingly limitless number of applications. With a client list including Shell, Exxonmobil, associated British ports, Ineos Refining and Scottish and Southern Electricity, Cyberhawk’s UAV system is redefining what can be achieved during inspections utilizing this technology. Combining CSWIP-qualified plant inspectors and chartered engineers with civil aviation authority-approved UAV pilots, Cyberhawk is today recognised as a world leader in remote inspection and surveying.

The small, lightweight UAV drones can be deployed from Cyberhawk’s support vehicle, providing live telemetry from the site, with subsequent detailed inspection reports available if required. The drones have even been used to support Scotland’s Rugby Union team, providing a tactically invaluable bird’s eye view of the team training, as well as assisting the University of Aberdeen with its surveys of seal colonies in the Cromarty Firth.

The Livingston-based operator has recently secured financial backing to expand their operations with the acquisition of new UAV systems, while work progresses on enhancing the capabilities of the drone.