Drone Inspections that reach where an inspector can't
Some parts of a ride are out of safe reach. The underside of a water slide. The top of a Ferris wheel. The top of a roller coaster column. An RPEQ engineer flies a drone and inspects them close up from the ground. It’s part of the inspection you already book with us. The engineer who signs your report reviews the footage. A drone inspection from DRA also covers buildings and other plant where no one should be climbing. Ask us to add it to your next visit.
What can a drone inspect that you can't safely reach?
Anything high, overhung or with no safe place to stand. A drone asset inspection covers all three.
- Water slides. The underside of the flume, the joints and the brackets over water, where there’s no safe place to stand.
- Ferris wheels and observation wheels. The hub, the spokes and the top of the rim, without anyone climbing or hiring an EWP.
- Roller coasters. Column welds, rail undersides and the high points of the track, without a man-lift at every column
- Tower and drop rides. The top of the structure and its fixings, without a climb in a harness.
Queensland’s WHS Regulation asks for a detailed inspection of critical components every year. WorkSafe Victoria’s guidance goes a step further for components behind covers and guards. It lists a drone among the methods you can consider, where it gives an equivalent look.
How does a drone inspection fit into your annual inspection?
It's an add-on to the inspection you already book, not a separate service. Here's how it runs.
Flown during your inspection visit
We fly once the ride is locked out and the area is clear. Usually before the park opens, or in your maintenance window.No one climbs, no one is at risk
The engineer stays on the ground. No harness, no scaffold and no EWP hired for a visual check. As David Randall puts it, "No one's climbing, no one's at risk."Stills and video you keep
Every area flown, with defect photos tied to the findings in your report. We fly from the same spot each year so a change stands out. Keep them with the logbook for your insurer.Findings go in your inspection report
The engineer who signs your report reviews the footage. A drone shows us where to look, so anything it flags we check by hand or with NDT. No separate video file from a drone company.
Book a Consultation Now
If you're not sure where your safety gaps are, a quick chat is usually the easiest place to start. You can talk through your site and your risks with one of our consultants, and we'll go from there.
Can you inspect buildings and other plant by drone?
Yes. Anywhere a visual check would otherwise mean scaffold, an EWP or rope access. A drone building inspection covers facades and balconies for concrete cancer, cracking and spalling. Roofs and gutters on schools, halls and hospitals. Cooling towers, silos and tanks. Light towers, cranes and gantries. Tell us what it is and where it is. We'll come back with a proposal.
- Information relating to the Inflatable Amusement Devices is discussed in one of our posts on the topic.
- Our qualified and certified RPEQ Engineering Consultants that can assist you in your business with David, Sina, Jack, Mitchell and Ryan available to assist with any question relating to Amusement Devices.
- Information relating to the Inflatable Amusement Devices is discussed in one of our posts on the topic.
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Drone inspection FAQs
Common questions about our engineering drone inspection services.Are your drone flights legal?
Yes. We fly under CASA’s rules for the aircraft we use. We stay inside the standard operating conditions. That means below 120 metres and at least 30 metres from anyone not involved. Daylight only, and always within sight of the pilot.
Can you fly while the park is open?
No. A drone can’t fly over people, so an operating park is out. We fly with the ride locked out and the area clear of guests and staff. Usually that’s before opening or in your maintenance window, and it fits inside the inspection visit you’ve already booked.
How much time does it add?
Not much on the day. The flying happens while the ride is locked out for the rest of the inspection. The engineer reviews the footage after the visit. So your report can take a little longer than one without it.
What happens if it's windy or raining?
We don’t fly in rain or strong wind. If the weather turns, the rest of the inspection goes ahead as planned. We fly the drone on another day. Most flights are short, so a gap in the weather is usually enough.
Will the regulator accept a drone inspection?
Yes, as part of an inspection. The report is still signed by an RPEQ engineer, and the drone footage is evidence inside it. WorkSafe Victoria’s guidance lists a drone among the methods you can consider for components behind covers and guards. DRA carries $10 million professional indemnity, underwritten by Lloyd’s.
What does a drone inspection cost?
We quote it with your inspection. There’s no scaffold, EWP or rope access to hire for the visual check. Call us and we’ll give you a figure before we write a proposal.
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Comprehensive engineering consultancy for the amusement industry.
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