Mapping the Grid from Above

High-tech, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Revolutionizes Monitoring

Since its inception, TVA’s Aviation team has used airplanes, helicopters and drones to support its mission across the seven-state region. Today, the team is advancing that legacy with a new suite of aerial technologies designed to enhance efficiency, safety and precision in monitoring 16,500 miles of transmission lines. 

“It’s just another way that TVA Aviation continues to adapt and evolve,” Gordon Richey, TVA aircraft maintenance supervisor, said. “We’re always looking for different ways of pushing ourselves alongside TVA’s efforts.”

Precision from Above

The journey began five years ago, when TVA’s Right of Way team started exploring cost-saving methods for aerial data collection. Each year, TVA surveys approximately 5,000 miles of transmission lines – one-third of its entire system – as part of a vegetation management cycle.

The goal? Identify potential hazards and plan maintenance activities that keep the grid safe and reliable for more than 10 million people.

To do this, TVA uses a laser-based surveying system called LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, that creates highly detailed 3D maps of vegetation and infrastructure. This data enables TVA to pinpoint the exact location and proximity of vegetation threats to transmission lines, create models showing line sag and sway, and prescribe targeted maintenance actions.

“These resources are available externally, but they come at a cost premium,” Walt Hodges, TVA’s Aerial Data and Operations and Training manager, said. “Externally, we’re a number on their spreadsheet. If it’s internal (to TVA), TVA gets the priority.”

Bringing the work in-house offers TVA greater control, reduced costs and improved scheduling flexibility.

Technology Drives Efficiency

The decision to use a fixed-wing aircraft was driven by the unique advantages it offers for LiDAR-based surveying. Compared to helicopters, fixed-wing planes can fly faster and higher, improving safety margins and operational efficiency. They also come with lower maintenance and operating costs – especially when using piston engines instead of turbine-powered systems.

TVA’s Aviation team also explored drone-based surveying in partnership with Mississippi State University. While smaller drones excel in localized inspections, they can’t match the fixed-wing aircraft’s ability to cover vast areas quickly and cost-effectively.  As regulations and technology continue to advance, larger drones operating at longer distances will likely become more viable in the future.

Custom-built Sensor Suite for Utility Work

Fixed-wing aircraft aren’t new to TVA. In the 1930s, the enterprise used planes for aerial mapping, and even to combat malaria in the region.

Those early aerial mapping efforts helped build a comprehensive picture of the area’s topography, aiding in erosion control, flood reduction and reservoir construction. By 1939, the Valley region became one of the most thoroughly mapped areas in the country.

Unlike the military surplus biplanes that TVA used in its earliest days, the team needed a purpose-built aircraft equipped with the latest sensor suite that would transform it into a flying data center.

The Tecnam P2012 SMP (special mission platform), built specifically for utility work, is leagues ahead in technological advancements – twin engine, long-range and maneuverable – with the latest avionics for safety. The SMP option also comes factory-equipped with dual sensor hatches, dedicated mission electrical power, and a custom server rack/operator console station.

The sensor technology installed includes:

• High-powered LiDAR with a wide field of view
• Multispectral and high-resolution cameras for oblique and nadir imaging
• Gyro-stabilized mounts for smooth data capture
• Geospatially rectified 3D mapping capabilities

“With LiDAR, we can model everything down to the inch,” Hodges said. “It’s not just about seeing where a tree is – it's about understanding how it moves, how close it gets and what needs to be done.”

TVA is undertaking one of the largest new asset campaigns in its history, TVA President and CEO Don Moul said, with 3,700 megawatts of new generation currently under construction. This technology enables TVA to conduct aerial surveys not only for transmission lines, but also for river systems and power generation infrastructure – with remarkable precision.

The investment in this technology is already delivering returns. By replacing a Bell 407 helicopter with the Tecnam P2012 and its onboard data systems, TVA expects to recoup the aircraft’s cost within three years. The plane is projected to remain in service for at least a decade.

Expanding the Toolbox

Ultimately, TVA’s approach isn’t about replacing helicopters or drones – it's about choosing the right tool for each mission. Each platform has its strengths, and the advanced sensor suite installed on the Tecnam adds a powerful new dimension to TVA’s capabilities.

“It gives us another tool in the toolbox,” Hodges said. “Understanding the needs of transmission, we knew this was the right technology to drive value.”

As technology continues to evolve, TVA’s investment in aerial innovation ensures it remains at the forefront of grid reliability, environmental stewardship and service to the Valley region.