How Drones Are Transforming Industrial Inspections

Q1:  CyberHawk has been around since the early days of commercial drones. Can you tell us what the company does and the role you play there? 

Scott: CyberHawk started in 2008 when offshore oil rig technicians realized drones could make dangerous inspections safer. Today we operate globally and specialize in industrial asset inspections, especially for utilities and energy companies. My role focuses on aviation management, FAA compliance, and scaling safe drone operations, including beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) missions. 

Q2:  What real world problems are your clients solving with drones today? 

Scott: Most drone use cases accelerate traditional inspections. Instead of sending someone to climb a structure or inspect from the ground, drones provide a safer aerial view. That allows operators to detect problems earlier and make better maintenance decisions without putting workers at risk. 

Q3:  You mentioned a strong return on investment. What does that actually look like for companies using drones? 

Scott: The ROI is huge. In some cases, we’ve found structural issues before they caused failures. Catching a problem early can save millions compared to emergency repairs, downtime, or lawsuits. Preventing one major incident can justify the entire drone program. 

Q4:  Which industries are adopting drone technology the fastest? 

Scott: Utilities and energy companies were some of the earliest adopters. They manage massive infrastructure networks and drones help inspect them faster and more safely. We’re also seeing growth in sectors like agriculture, oil and gas, and construction as companies realize the operational advantages. 

Q5:  What challenges still exist for organizations trying to scale drone programs? 

Q6:  How important is training when building a professional drone program? 

Scott: Training is critical. Passing the Part 107 exam doesn’t necessarily mean someone can safely operate a drone in complex environments. Practical flight experience and structured training programs help build confidence, safety awareness, and operational discipline that organizations need for large scale drone operations. 

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