Big Sky Aerial Solutions
Big Sky Aerial Solutions provides electric utilities with reliable, safety-driven aerial data and inspection solutions designed to support operations, engineering, vegetation management, and asset planning. Our services are built around how utilities actually use…
Overview
Big Sky Aerial Solutions provides electric utilities with reliable, safety-driven aerial data and inspection solutions designed to support operations, engineering, vegetation management, and asset planning. Our services are built around how utilities actually use data—prioritizing clarity, defensibility, and real operational value rather than experimental technology.
Aerial Inspection Services include distribution, transmission, and substation inspections using high-resolution RGB and thermal imagery. Big Sky performs component-level inspection of poles, conductors, hardware, insulators, transformers, and substation equipment, with thermal collections timed for peak or seasonal load conditions to identify overheating and performance issues. All inspection results are reviewed by experienced analysts, certified linemen, and thermographers, with issues classified and ranked to align with utility maintenance workflows. Inspection data is fully GIS-integrated and delivered through major mapping systems and the INSPECTR platform.
LiDAR & Corridor Mapping services provide high-accuracy LiDAR data for transmission and distribution systems. Deliverables support clearance analysis, vegetation encroachment modeling, and engineering workflows, including PLS-CADD-ready point clouds for compliance and design. These datasets are well-suited for line rebuilds, reconductoring projects, and capacity upgrade planning, and are repeatable to support change detection and long-term asset management.
Vegetation & Wildfire Risk Analysis helps utilities identify and prioritize right-of-way vegetation concerns while integrating terrain and wildfire risk factors. These analyses support defensible wildfire mitigation planning and risk-based maintenance decisions. Clear, actionable mapping products are delivered to guide field crews and vegetation contractors efficiently and safely.
Substation & Facility Modeling combines aerial and terrestrial data capture to produce accurate 3D models of substations and utility facilities. These models provide reliable existing-conditions documentation to support planning, upgrades, and expansions, while reducing site visits and improving coordination across engineering, operations, and management teams.
INSPECTR – Inspection Visualization & Action Platform provides a web-based, map-centered environment for reviewing inspection imagery and findings. INSPECTR centralizes large volumes of RGB, thermal, and inspection data, applies dynamic severity rankings for prioritization, and allows inspection results to be layered with operational context such as wildfire risk, outage history, and load. The platform also tracks repair actions, mitigations, and resolution status, creating a clear system of record that supports audits, regulatory compliance, and defensible decision-making.
Storm Response & Rapid Assessment services enable rapid deployment following storm events to support damage assessment and line patrols. Aerial identification of downed vegetation and damaged assets allows utilities to receive maps and imagery quickly, improving restoration planning, crew efficiency, and field safety during emergency response.
Utility-Focused Operations are built around safety-first, utility-approved sUAS workflows and experience supporting electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, and investor-owned utilities. All deliverables are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing utility systems and processes, with an emphasis on practical, dependable solutions that utilities can rely on today.
