Strat Aero takes US flight

Drone operator Strat Aero has secured its first wind turbine inspection contract which will see it examine hardware for US company Westar Energy.

The contract is for the inspection of 53 turbines operated by Westar in the state of Kansas. 

Strat Aero said it will use unmanned aerial vehicles to examine the hardware at a rate of up to 8 turbines per day. 

The contract is worth $26,000 but the company said it is hopeful of extending the deal to take in the remaining 259 turbines operated by Westar in the area.

Strat Aero said the work had already commenced.

Company CEO Tony Dunleavy said: “This agreement follows an extended trialling process and signals a breakthrough for Strat Aero into a significant and potentially lucrative market.  

“The scope and scale of the wind farm industry in the US is enormous, and we are delighted to have embarked on this journey with Westar Energy, a preeminent figure in the market, generating over 7000 MW of electricity and serving nearly 700,000 customers in much of east and east-central Kansas.”

Image: DOE