Remote Aerodrome Inspection Programme
Certified RPAS operations delivering runway condition reports, aerial lighting and taxiway surveys, AI-powered FOD detection, and wildlife identification for remote and regional aerodromes across Australia.
Built for Australia's Remote Aerodromes
Australia's remote and regional aerodromes are critical community infrastructure — yet many lack the resources for regular, compliant safety inspections. WVIC's Remote Aerodrome Inspection Programme (RAIP) was purpose-built to solve this, using certified RPAS technology to deliver thorough, cost-effective aerodrome safety assessments at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.
Operating under CASA ReOC #1502, our programme goes beyond standard visual inspection. We use aerial photography and video to assess runway condition, lighting systems, windsocks, taxiways, and apron infrastructure — and we are actively developing AI-powered capabilities to detect and categorise Foreign Object Debris (FOD), identify wildlife within the work area, and where possible, link FOD to arriving or departing aircraft and alert the relevant authorities.
CASA ReOC #1502 — Operational Endorsements
WVIC holds CASA Remote Operator Certificate #1502 with a comprehensive suite of endorsements that enable operations well beyond the standard excluded category. These endorsements are what make the Remote Aerodrome Inspection Programme possible — allowing our team to operate safely and legally across the full range of aerodrome environments encountered in remote and regional Australia.
Sub 25kg Rotor Wing & Powerlift
Authorises operations with rotary-wing RPAS up to 25kg, including powerlift operations. This covers the full range of inspection-grade platforms used in the programme, from compact survey drones to heavier payload-capable aircraft.
Night Visual Line of Sight
Authorises RPAS operations at night within visual line of sight. Critical for aerodrome lighting inspections — allowing our team to assess runway edge lights, threshold lights, approach lighting systems, and windsock illumination under operational conditions.
Beyond Visual Line of Sight
Authorises operations beyond the pilot's direct visual range. This endorsement is essential for efficient large-aerodrome surveys, extended runway inspections, and perimeter wildlife surveys where maintaining visual line of sight to the aircraft is not practicable.
Instrument Rating Exam
Demonstrates advanced aeronautical knowledge equivalent to an instrument-rated pilot. This underpins WVIC's ability to operate safely in complex airspace environments, coordinate with ATC, and conduct operations at certified aerodromes under instrument flight rules conditions.
Regulatory Framework
All WVIC RPAS operations are conducted in full compliance with Australian aviation regulations. Our operations team maintains current knowledge of applicable instruments and works closely with aerodrome operators and CASA to ensure every inspection is conducted safely and lawfully.
Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 101
The primary regulatory framework governing all Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operations in Australia. WVIC operations are conducted in full compliance with Part 101, including requirements for pilot certification, operational limitations, and safety obligations.
Remote Operator Certificate
WVIC holds CASA Remote Operator Certificate #1502, authorising commercial RPAS operations beyond the standard excluded category. Our ReOC covers the specific operational conditions required for aerodrome inspection work, including BVLOS, NVLOS, and sub-25kg rotor wing operations.
Aerodrome Standards — MOS 139
Aerodrome inspection activities are designed to support operators in meeting their obligations under the Aerodrome Manual of Standards (MOS 139), including runway condition reporting, obstacle limitation surface surveys, and wildlife hazard management.
Airspace Coordination
All aerodrome inspection operations are coordinated with the relevant air traffic control authority or aerodrome operator. NOTAMs are issued as required, and operations near controlled or restricted airspace are conducted under appropriate authorisation.
Inspection Capabilities
Runway Condition & Pavement Reporting
High-resolution aerial surveys of runway and strip surfaces delivering detailed condition reports — identifying cracking, surface deterioration, edge breaks, and drainage issues to support maintenance planning and MOS 139 compliance.
- Runway surface condition assessment
- Pavement defect mapping and classification
- Drainage condition reporting
- Maintenance priority recommendations
Aerial Lighting, Signage & Infrastructure Survey
Systematic aerial photography of aerodrome lighting systems, windsocks, taxiway markings, signage, and airside civil infrastructure — providing a complete visual record and identifying serviceability issues. NVLOS endorsement enables lighting inspections to be conducted under actual operational night conditions.
- Lighting serviceability assessment
- Windsock and signage condition reporting
- Taxiway marking and edge survey
- Night lighting inspection (NVLOS)
AI-Powered FOD Detection & Categorisation
Using AI image analysis to detect and categorise Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on runways, taxiways, and aprons. Our developing capability aims to identify FOD, classify it by type, and where possible link it to aircraft that have recently operated at the aerodrome — enabling targeted alerts to operators and authorities.
- Automated FOD detection on airside surfaces
- FOD categorisation by type and risk
- Aircraft linkage and traceability (in development)
- Authority alert capability (in development)
Wildlife Detection & Hazard Identification
Aerial identification of wildlife within and around the aerodrome work area — including animals on or near runways, in approach paths, and within the aerodrome boundary. BVLOS endorsement enables efficient perimeter and extended boundary surveys without repositioning the ground crew.
- Wildlife presence detection on airside areas
- BVLOS-enabled perimeter and boundary surveys
- Wildlife hazard reporting
- MOS 139 wildlife management support
Developing Capabilities
WVIC is actively developing the next generation of aerodrome inspection technology. These capabilities are in active development and will be progressively deployed across the programme.
Parts Data Integration
Linking FOD identification to aircraft parts databases to enable precise categorisation and traceability of debris found on aerodrome surfaces.
Aircraft Linkage & Alerting
Correlating identified FOD with aircraft movement records to identify the likely source aircraft and automatically alert operators and aviation authorities where appropriate.
AI Classification Engine
Continuous improvement of our AI model for FOD and wildlife detection — increasing accuracy, reducing false positives, and expanding the range of detectable object types.
Aerodrome Inspection Programme Enquiries
Contact our RPAS team to discuss a Remote Aerodrome Inspection Programme for your aerodrome, council portfolio, or aviation authority.