Wind Turbine Blade Inspections

Our Methodology: The 12 O'Clock Flight Profile

Many operators inspect turbines by locking one blade up and two down, flying around the entire rotor. This method yields poor photographic imagery for the lower blades due to background interference from the ground and sky.

Engineers With Drones utilizes a strict vertical flight methodology. We pause the turbine and inspect each blade only when it is pointing straight up at the 12 o'clock position. This approach guarantees two critical engineering requirements:

• Optimal Data Quality: The sky acts as a clear, uniform background behind the blade at all times, resulting in superior high-resolution imagery.
• Maximum Safety: Flying around a vertically isolated blade removes surrounding collision hazards, creating a highly safe flight profile.

Data Acquisition & Optical Zoom

We capture a baseline image of the hub to establish hub height, then conduct vertical flight paths parallel to the blade. We fly up the leading edge, down the pressure side, up the suction side, and down the trailing edge. Flying parallel to the surface keeps the data sequentially grouped and greatly reduces the need for complex sorting post-flight.

To accurately identify defects such as delamination, lightning strikes, or leading edge erosion, we rely exclusively on high optical zoom sensors. We do not use wide-angle lenses or digital zoom, as they dilute sensor resolution and compromise the data required to make critical maintenance or warranty decisions.

Actionable Engineering Deliverables

Data is only useful if it is organized. All imagery is systematically categorized by turbine number, blade number, blade face, and date.

We provide a comprehensive PDF or platform-based report featuring high-resolution images of every identified anomaly. Alongside the visual data, we supply a raw spreadsheet designed for direct import into your maintenance management system. Every defect is assigned a specific classification string (e.g., "severe leading edge erosion, underlying laminate exposed") and graded on an industry-standard 1 to 5 scale:

• Category 1: Entirely cosmetic. Provided for information purposes.
• Category 2: Minor defect. Address during scheduled maintenance.
• Category 3: Moderate defect. Recommended to address within six months.
• Category 4: Serious defect. Requires attention within three months.
• Category 5: Severe defect. Immediate risk to the asset or personnel, such as a split trailing edge with catastrophic failure potential.

Schedule a wind turbine inspection