How PG&E Scales Safe BVLOS Drone Operations with AirData

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As wildfires grow more frequent and intense across California, utilities are turning to innovative technology to stay ahead. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), one of the country’s largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies, has embraced drones as a vital tool in its wildfire mitigation and infrastructure inspection strategy. 

PG&E has long been a leader in utility drone programs. Covering a vast 70,000-square-mile service area, their team faces the immense challenge of monitoring remote and rugged terrain, often under tight safety constraints. To meet those demands, PG&E has worked with AirData, a leading drone fleet data management platform, to unify their compliance, maintenance, and operational data into a single automated system.

"Implementing AirData has centralized our flight logging, compliance reporting, and maintenance tracking in an automated and proactive manner,” said Kellen Kirk, PG&E’s Manager of UAS and Fixed Wing Operations. “This allows our pilots, technicians, and administrators to focus on their respective missions with confidence that regulations are being followed.”

Want to hear more? PG&E and AirData will share how they’ve streamlined and scaled their beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) at the upcoming Energy Drone & Robotics Summit.

Why BVLOS Operations Require a New Approach

BVLOS flights are powerful tools for inspecting long stretches of infrastructure and responding to emergencies, but they come with strict Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. PG&E is one of the few utility providers with a BVLOS waiver, which they originally obtained with help from Skyfire AI.

“From the very beginning, PG&E has been at the leading edge of what’s possible with uncrewed systems,” said Skyfire AI Co-Founder Matt Sloane.

Every BVLOS flight must adhere to detailed logging and documentation protocols, covering everything from drone telemetry to visual observer roles to post-maintenance test flights. AirData’s platform automates these requirements by syncing flight logs directly from Skydio and DJI drones and attributing flight data to individual aircraft and pilots. This eliminates the risk of manual entry errors and speeds up both compliance and internal communications.

“AirData’s ability to track aircraft locations, complete checklists, and schedule missions keeps us aligned and responsive,” said Joshua Hill, UAS Operations Supervisor at PG&E. “It’s incredibly easy to use, highly reliable, and backed by a responsive support team.”

Automating Maintenance to Meet FAA Standards

Maintenance tracking is one of the most challenging—and critical—components of BVLOS compliance. The FAA requires meticulous records of every service, inspection, and flight test, mapped against manufacturer guidelines. AirData’s Customized Maintenance feature allows PG&E to do just that.

“The equipment management features in AirData have been instrumental in helping us streamline and consolidate maintenance procedures,” said Ammar Nazir, PG&E’s Expert Aircraft Maintenance Coordinator. “Automated tracking and alerting allow us to stay proactive with our maintenance efforts.”

With every flight log automatically tied to an aircraft’s profile, PG&E can monitor usage patterns, set alerts for upcoming service intervals, and upload documentation that’s instantly accessible during audits or reviews. This approach reduces training overhead and helps the utility respond faster and more safely to operational needs.

“Remote BVLOS flights are a game changer for our operations, and my priority is to make sure we innovate responsibly and safely,” said Jon Teach, PG&E’s Expert Program Manager of UAS Special Projects. “Thanks to AirData’s ability to track maintenance, it assures that our aircraft remain compliant with our waivers and internal procedures.”

A Foundation for the Future

The results speak for themselves: PG&E has unified its drone compliance workflows in a single platform, cutting down on redundant tools and time-consuming manual work. With AirData, they’ve created a foundation that not only satisfies today’s regulatory landscape but also positions the utility to adapt to future changes.

PG&E's story is a powerful example of what’s possible when cutting-edge drone operations are paired with intelligent data automation. As utilities, energy companies, and infrastructure operators explore how to scale their own drone programs, PG&E offers a replicable model for safe, future-proof, and FAA-compliant growth.

Want to learn more about BVLOS maintenance management—live from the experts? Join PG&E and AirData at the Energy Drone & Robotics Summit, June 16-18, in Houston, TX. In a session called “PG&E’s Path to Safer Skies: Automating BVLOS Compliance” on Tuesday, June 17, at 9 a.m., they’ll discuss their journey and what’s next for utility drone programs.