Pioneering Drone Stormwater Inspection for AECOM in Christchurch

The Project

We recently carried out a detailed stormwater pipeline inspection for AECOM in Christchurch, using our advanced Flyability Elios 3 drone with LiDAR capability alongside traditional CCTV inspections.

Our team delivered high-quality pipeline mapping and clear visual data, supporting AECOM with accurate analysis and reporting. The inspection covered two key stormwater pipelines:

Pipe 1: 1800mm diameter pipeline
Pipe 2: 1200mm brick egg-shaped pipeline

With our mix of drone technology and on-ground expertise, we continue to help our clients gain safe, efficient access to complex underground infrastructure.

The Elios 3 Drone Inspecting Inside one of the Two Stormwater Pipeline

Team Ready and Equipped Before Inspection

Overcoming Inspection Challenges with Drone Technology

One of the key challenges on this project was inspecting two parallel stormwater pipelines while capturing high-resolution footage and producing a detailed map with georeferencing. Our Elios 3 drone proved to be the right tool for the job. Equipped with a 4K camera and LiDAR, it allowed us to collect sharp, detailed visuals even in low-light conditions, ensuring nothing was missed.

Another major challenge was the length of the pipeline. At 300 metres long and large in diameter, inspecting it with traditional CCTV and water jetting methods would have been time-consuming and inefficient. By using the drone, we eliminated the need for confined space entry and avoided potentially spending days jetting the line.

The Elios 3 provided a faster, safer and more cost-effective solution for completing the inspection, while still delivering high-quality results for our client.

The Elios 3 drone’s LiDAR scan reveals the detailed structure of the tunnel beneath the roadway.

Wincan Report Generated from Elios 3 Data Using Flyability Cloud

The Elios 3 drone captured data, which was processed through Flyability Cloud and used to generate reports in WinCan.

For one of the first times in New Zealand, we have generated a Wincan report from Elios 3 flight data. By utilising its advanced features and the latest software updates through Flyability Cloud, we have enhanced our service delivery.

The feedback from our client has been very positive, as they were pleased to receive the report, which provided extensive and detailed insights to support their decision-making process.

Measurable benefits of using the Elios 3 for this project

The main benefits of using the Elios 3 were the significant time savings compared to standard CCTV inspections, along with the ability to capture high-quality video footage. This provided data and insights that traditional CCTV methods couldn’t match. Using LiDAR, we were also able to create a full 3D map with georeferencing, giving our client a clear and detailed view of the pipeline’s condition.

This project also marks a first for Christchurch City Council and AECOM, with a drone being used for both design work and CCTV pipeline inspections in the region. It follows on from our successful emergency response to the Parnell sinkhole, where we also used the Elios 3. Read more here.

In total, we successfully inspected 265.69 metres of pipeline.