Our Inspection Process — Thermal Drone Inspections

At Cox Aerial Solutions LLC, our inspection process is designed around safety, accuracy, and observable data. We provide electric cooperatives and infrastructure operators with detailed thermal and visual inspection information to document apparent visual and thermal conditions and organize them for customer evaluation.

Our process combines FAA Part 107 compliant UAS operations, advanced thermal imaging technology, and professional reporting to deliver reliable infrastructure intelligence for qualified customer evaluation.

Cox Aerial documents apparent visual and thermal conditions and organizes them for customer evaluation. Cox Aerial does not diagnose defects, determine root cause, certify equipment condition, or prescribe maintenance or repair actions.

This page details the utility-specific thermal inspection workflow for electrical and renewable infrastructure. For our company-wide project process across mapping, media, and general inspection projects, see Our Project Process.

Inspection limitations

Cox Aerial Solutions LLC provides remote, non-destructive aerial observations and informational deliverables based on conditions visible to the selected sensors during the inspection period. Services do not constitute professional engineering, electrical contracting, roofing contracting, code certification, structural certification, land surveying, repair instruction, or a guarantee that every defect or hazard will be detected. Final severity, cause, maintenance action, repair, shutdown, switching, and engineering decisions remain with qualified customer personnel.

Step 01

Project Planning & Inspection Coordination

Preparing for a Successful Inspection

Every inspection begins with proper planning and coordination. Before entering the field, Cox Aerial Solutions LLC works with the customer to understand inspection objectives, asset locations, and operational requirements.

Planning Includes

Customer consultation and inspection objectives
Review of assets requiring inspection
Identification of distribution lines, substations, and renewable energy assets
Flight area evaluation
FAA airspace review
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) review
Weather condition monitoring
Site access coordination
Safety requirement review

Customer Goals

Identify critical assets
Establish inspection priorities
Reduce operational disruptions
Ensure safe and efficient inspection operations

Step 02

Pre-Flight Safety & Operational Review

Safety Before Every Flight

Safety is the foundation of every Cox Aerial Solutions LLC operation. Before flight operations begin, we complete a comprehensive pre-flight assessment to ensure the mission can be conducted safely and legally.

Pre-Flight Procedures Include

Aircraft inspection
Battery and equipment checks
Weather evaluation
Wind condition assessment
Airspace verification
Flight path planning
Risk assessment
Ground hazard evaluation
Emergency procedure review

Flight Operations May Be Delayed or Rescheduled Due To

Unsafe weather conditions
High winds
FAA restrictions
Temporary Flight Restrictions
Airspace limitations
Unsafe operating environments

Cox Aerial Solutions LLC maintains final authority regarding whether flight operations can safely and legally be conducted.

Step 03

Thermal & Visual Data Collection

Capturing Observable Infrastructure Data

During inspection operations, our UAS platforms collect both thermal and visual imagery to document observable asset conditions for qualified customer evaluation.

Inspection Data Collection Includes

Radiometric thermal imaging
High-resolution visual imagery
GPS-tagged inspection points
Asset documentation
Temperature measurements
Observed-condition documentation

Typical Assets Inspected

Electrical Infrastructure

Distribution lines
Transformers
Insulators
Connectors
Switchgear
Pole-top equipment
Substations

Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Solar arrays
Panels
Inverters
Combiner boxes
Electrical connections

Step 04

Data Processing & Thermal Analysis

Documenting Observable Infrastructure Conditions

Collected inspection data is reviewed and analyzed to document apparent thermal patterns and observable conditions that may warrant further evaluation by qualified utility personnel.

Our Analysis Process Includes

Thermal image review
Apparent temperature variation evaluation
Relative connector heating comparison, with load, reflection, viewing angle, and emissivity considered
Visual confirmation
GPS location verification
Asset identification
Observation category assignment
Documentation preparation

Documented apparent elevated thermal patterns and apparent temperature variations are recorded as relative heating comparisons only, with load, reflection, viewing angle, and emissivity considered. Cause is not established by aerial imagery. Aerial thermal imagery does not establish loose connections, excessive resistance, equipment degradation, root cause, or engineering significance. Suggested qualified field review and customer evaluation are recommended to interpret documented patterns alongside electrical testing, loading information, asset history, and other qualified utility assessment.

Step 05

Inspection Report Development

Delivering Clear, Observable Results

After analysis is complete, Cox Aerial Solutions LLC provides professional inspection documentation designed to support customer evaluation and qualified follow-up planning.

Standard Inspection Reporting Includes

Inspection summary
Date and location
Equipment inspected
Thermal imagery
Visual imagery
GPS-tagged observations
Apparent temperature variation readings
Observed-condition documentation
Suggested qualified field review considerations

Advanced Reporting Options Include

Observation category assignment
Apparent temperature differential documentation
Customer evaluation priority organization
Historical comparison tracking
Customer evaluation priority categories for qualified review
Long-term observation tracking

Step 06

Customer Review & Long-Term Monitoring

Building Reliable Infrastructure History

Our goal is not simply to identify issues — it is to help customers develop a better understanding of their infrastructure over time.

Through recurring inspections, we help customers

Track observable condition changes
Monitor recurring thermal patterns
Support customer follow-up planning discussions
Improve proactive evaluation planning
Develop historical inspection records

Inspection limitations

Our Commitment

Safety. Reliability. Observable Data.

Cox Aerial Solutions LLC is committed to providing electric cooperatives and infrastructure operators with professional aerial inspection services that improve safety, reduce downtime, and support proactive maintenance decisions.

We believe the value of a thermal inspection is not just the flight — it is the information gained and the decisions it enables.

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