PG&E Gets BVLOS Waiver for Entire State of California

PG&E Obtains California-wide BVLOS Waiver

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Public safety and critical infrastructure UAS consulting group Skyfire Consulting announced that it has successfully assisted Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in acquiring a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver under a Part 107 for the entire state of California.

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PG&E will utilize the BVLOS waiver to fly large sections of their critical infrastructure in high fire-threat districts throughout California. With the addition of its work with PG&E, Skyfire currently contributes to all stages of environmental response, including prevention, wildfire response, and environmental cleanup and reforestation with DroneSeed.

“Skyfire’s work in the California wildfire community is incredibly important to us and the residents who live in those high-threat areas, so we were thrilled to get the opportunity to help PG&E prevent wildfires,” said Skyfire CEO Matt Sloane. “Leveraging our years of experience in public safety and working with first responders, we’ve formed an entire portfolio assisting organizations focused on critical infrastructure.”

One of the United States’ largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States, PG&E services roughly 16 million customers. The company provides Californians with critical utility services across 70,000 square miles. By increasing their use of UAS, PG&E’s effectiveness and ability to respond to incidents will both benefit from major improvement. Skyfire’s expertise and adaptability in meeting PG&E’S needs has made them an indispensable partner. PG&E continues to make use of the latest technology in order to keep their infrastructure on-line and communities safe.

Going forward, Skyfire will continue to collaborate with PG&E on additional advanced FAA waivers, as well as assist in the development of their UAS response program.

Read More:

• Skyfire Public Safety Drone: the US-Made SF2
• Perceptos Waiver Allows Customers to Fly BVLOS on Qualified Sites Across the Country, with Central Control
• The Top 3 Things to Consider When Applying for a BVLOS Waiver
• New York Doubles Down on the Drone Industry: NUAIRs 50 Mile BVLOS Flight Corridor, New Funding
• Soaring Eagle Technologies Scores New BVLOS Waiver for Commercial Inspections without Geographical Restraint

Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.