Selection criteria, qualification proofs, reporting standards and typical cost drivers – the complete guide for plant operators. Operating since 2017.
The market for industrial drone inspection has grown significantly in recent years – and so has the range of provider quality. From experienced industrial inspection specialists with certified NDT inspectors to photographers with hobby drones positioning themselves as industrial service providers, everything is represented. For operators of plant subject to mandatory inspection, this distinction is not trivial: the quality of the inspection has direct implications for safety, compliance and liability.
Be cautious of providers who cannot present references in your sector, cannot demonstrate NDT qualification of the evaluating personnel, deliver reports without finding classification or without a normative basis, or whose price is conspicuously far below the market average.
Structured tendering prevents misunderstandings and enables valid quotation comparison.
A structured tender (Request for Quotation, RFQ) prevents misunderstandings and enables valid quotation comparison. The following criteria should be included in every RFQ for drone inspections:
The insurance question in industrial drone inspections is more complex than for simple camera flights. Several liability layers need to be considered:
A professional drone inspection service provider requires at minimum:
Important for operators: a drone findings report does not replace an inspection by an authorised inspection body (Zugelassene Überwachungsstelle, ZÜS) where this is prescribed under BetrSichV §15 for the equipment. Drone inspection is a tool for the expert inspection – it provides the visual basis, but the ZÜS remains responsible for the normative assessment.
For plant that is not subject to mandatory inspection under BetrSichV (e.g. many steel structures, non-pressure vessels, chimneys without special inspection requirements), the drone findings report can serve as complete inspection documentation.
Drone video material of industrial plants may under certain circumstances contain personal data (identifiable persons in the footage). Clarify in the contract: how is such data handled? Kopterflug operates in accordance with the requirements of the EU GDPR – raw data is not passed to third parties, data processing agreements (DPA) are concluded on request.
Drone inspection costs vary considerably depending on equipment, requirements and deployment conditions. The main cost drivers at a glance:
Without binding pricing, the following orders of magnitude can serve as orientation (day rates, excl. travel costs):
The decisive comparison figure is not the price of the drone inspection, but the total cost of the inspection. A saved day of scaffolding (typically €2,000–8,000 for erection and dismantling) and reduced downtime make the drone the more economical option in most cases. Request a no-obligation initial assessment from us for your equipment.
We provide honest assessments – including when a different approach would serve you better.
Christian Engelke
Managing Director & Chief Pilot
Karsten Lehrke
Dipl.-Ing., Senior Inspector
Philipp
Drone Pilot & Inspector
Juliana
Project Coordination
Stephan
Drone Pilot & Inspector
At minimum: EU drone licence A2/A3 for outdoor deployments, VT Level 2 certification (DIN EN ISO 9712) of the evaluating personnel for visual testing, liability insurance ≥€5 million, and for indoor deployments with the ELIOS 3: demonstrable experience (number of deployments, references in your sector). Ask specifically about certification documents – serious providers present these proactively.
No. A drone findings report provides the visual basis for the expert inspection – but it does not replace the normative assessment by an authorised inspection body (ZÜS) where this is prescribed under BetrSichV §15. Drone inspection is a tool for the inspector: it delivers the data, but the ZÜS remains responsible for the assessment and acceptance. For plant not subject to mandatory inspection, the drone report can serve as complete documentation.
At minimum: equipment designation and tag number, access point details (manway size DN, location), areas to be inspected, required inspection methods (VT, thermography, LiDAR), normative basis, reporting requirements (format, language, deadline), proof requirements (insurance, NDT qualification, licences), safety requirements on site (PPE, Permit to Work). A structured RFQ prevents misunderstandings and enables valid quotation comparison.
Classification depends on the normative basis agreed. Common systems: API 510/653 (USA standard for pressure vessels/storage tanks), ASME, or company-internal classification systems. Good practice: findings are classified into urgent action required, medium-term action, observation/monitoring, and no action required – with photographic documentation and 3D position reference. Clarify the desired system in the RFQ.
Drone video material may contain personal data (identifiable persons). Clarify in the contract: data storage location (within/outside the EU), access rights, retention period for raw data, and whether a data processing agreement (DPA) is required. Kopterflug operates in accordance with EU GDPR requirements – raw data is not passed to third parties, DPAs are concluded on request.
The biggest levers: bundle multiple inspection objects at the same site (mobilisation costs are shared), plan during an existing shutdown (avoids additional downtime), align the report depth with actual requirements (video protocol vs. full findings report), and bundle recurring inspections into framework agreements (better conditions). We advise you individually on cost optimisation for your inspection portfolio.
Minimum: aviation liability insurance (mandatory under EU aviation law) and operational liability insurance ≥€5 million for industrial deployments. For inspection services that serve as basis for maintenance decisions: additionally professional indemnity insurance. Request copies of the insurance documents – serious providers present these as standard.
The ELIOS 3 is not ATEX-certified. Deployment in potentially explosive atmospheres is only possible after confirmed gas-free clearance (LEL <10%, O&sub2; 19.5–23%, no toxic gases above limit values). The gas measurement is the responsibility of the operator according to TRGS 722 and BetrSichV Annex 2 Section 3. After successful measurement, the drone deployment is released. Inertised zones (N&sub2;) must be completely flushed with fresh air before deployment.
Describe your plant type and inspection needs – we provide a free initial assessment of feasibility, sensor setup and added value of drone inspection.