The electricity network operator Austrian Power Grid carried out a drone test flight over a distance of 100 kilometers in cooperation with Smart Digital and Austro Control. The plan is to carry out inspection flights with unmanned aircraft in the future.

“Drones enable many innovations and make life easier for us in many areas. The areas of application are diverse and promising and the future potential is very high. Especially for a country like Austria, which is strongly characterized by a medium-sized aerospace supply industry, this potential holds great opportunities, ”said State Secretary Magnus Brunner (ÖVP).

SmartDigital successfully carried out this first test flight on behalf of APG. The 380 kV line that leads from the south-east substation in 1100 Vienna to Burgenland was flown. However, not the entire route but a section from Vienna to Rotenturm on the Pinka was inspected during this first test flight.

"The innovation potential of drones is enormous, and it is our declared goal, both as an aviation authority and as air traffic control, to promote innovative applications and to be a partner for the Austrian aviation industry," says Austro Control Managing Director Axel Schwarz.