WHO WE ARE
Big Sky Aerial Solutions provides drone utility inspections, LiDAR mapping, and geospatial services for electric utilities, AEC teams, and land surveying professionals. Based in Montana, we serve clients across the United States and Canada.
Our services include RGB and thermal inspections, vegetation and wildfire risk analysis, joint-use audits, and 3D facility modeling. We deliver GIS-ready data and actionable findings, with INSPECTR providing a map-based workspace for inspection review and repair tracking.
Trusted By
BVLOS-Capable Flight Operations
5000+ miles flown
30,000 Structures Inspected Annually
WORKFLOW
HOW WE DO IT
Inquire
Understand your objectives
Define project scope
Establish deliverables
Collect
Coordinate field operations
Capture project data
Verify quality and coverage
Deliver
Process and analyze data
Document findings
Deliver actionable results
CLIENT PORTAL
Access project deliverables anytime through a simple, secure client portal built for utility, AEC, and surveying workflows. View project status, review files, and download GIS-ready data, reports, and imagery in one easy location—no complicated steps.
Your data stays protected with encrypted storage and controlled access, giving your team a reliable way to share, review, and manage deliverables with confidence.
INCLUDES
2 Factor Authentication
Encrypted using AES 256-bit
Transmitted securely using TLSv1
Data storage redundancy
INDUSTRIES
POWER UTILITY
Big Sky Aerial Solutions provides drone utility inspections, LiDAR mapping, and geospatial services for electric utilities and cooperatives. Our RGB and thermal inspections cover distribution lines, transmission lines, and substations to identify component issues and support maintenance planning.
Services include pole and asset inventories, vegetation and wildfire risk analysis, danger tree identification, joint-use audits, clearance analysis, LiDAR corridor mapping, and PLS-CADD-ready engineering deliverables. We also provide 3D substation and facility modeling, existing-conditions documentation, and storm response damage assessments.
GIS-ready maps, imagery, and reports support engineering, operations, and asset management. INSPECTR brings inspection imagery, findings, and repair tracking together in one map-based workspace.
ENGINEERING & SURVEYING
Big Sky Aerial Solutions provides LiDAR mapping and drone photogrammetry for civil engineers, land surveyors, and construction teams. We capture accurate terrain and site data to support development, infrastructure design, and construction planning.
Services include topographic mapping, high-resolution orthomosaics, planimetric feature extraction, custom LiDAR classification, contours, digital terrain and surface models, and stockpile volume calculations. CAD- and GIS-ready deliverables support existing-conditions documentation, grading and drainage design, redevelopment, and as-built verification.
ARCHITECTURE
Big Sky Aerial Solutions provides 3D laser scanning, reality capture, and Scan-to-BIM services for architects and design teams. We document interior and exterior building conditions to support renovations, retrofits, additions, and facility planning.
Deliverables include high-density point clouds, 3D models, and BIM-ready files for existing-conditions and as-built documentation. Accurate, measurable building data supports design coordination, clash detection, and VDC/BIM workflows while reducing repeat site visits.
MINING
Big Sky Aerial Solutions provides drone LiDAR mapping and photogrammetry for mining operations, engineers, and survey teams. We capture terrain and site conditions to support mine planning, infrastructure development, and reclamation.
Services include topographic mapping, high-resolution orthomosaics, digital terrain and surface models, and volume calculations for stockpiles and pits. CAD- and GIS-ready deliverables support haul road design and existing-conditions documentation. Aerial water sampling supports environmental monitoring in remote or difficult-to-access locations.
DELIVERABLES
AERIAL INSPECTION & REVIEW
Big Sky Aerial Solutions provides RGB and thermal drone inspections for distribution poles, transmission structures, substations, and utility rights-of-way. Component-level review identifies visible defects and thermal anomalies, with findings ranked by severity to support maintenance planning. We also provide aerial line patrols and storm response damage assessments, with scopes designed to meet your budget, operational priorities, and inspection needs. Deliverables include high-resolution imagery, documented findings, and GIS-ready inspection maps and reports. INSPECTR connects imagery, asset locations, and repair tracking in one map-based workspace, helping utility teams prioritize issues and document resolution.
INCLUDES
Distribution Poles
Transmission Towers
Right of Way
Substations
METHODS
FILE TYPES
PDF, JPEG, RJPG
VEGETATION & WILDFIRE RISK INTELLIGENCE
Big Sky Aerial Solutions provides LiDAR- and imagery-based vegetation assessments for electric utilities and cooperatives. We identify danger trees and vegetation encroachment along distribution and transmission rights-of-way, with LiDAR-based clearance analysis supporting detailed vegetation management and wildfire mitigation planning. Imagery-based vegetation review extends the value of utility inspection flights, helping teams address multiple objectives from one collection. Findings can be hosted alongside component inspection data in INSPECTR, bringing vegetation hazards, asset imagery, and maintenance priorities into one map-based workspace.
INCLUDES
Danger Tree Identification
GIS Mapping Interface
Encroachment Severity
Hazard Reporting
True-to-Life Data
METHODS
FILE TYPES
SHP, geoTIFF, KML, PDF
JOINT USE AUDIT & DESIGN
Deliverables include PLS-CADD-ready LiDAR point clouds, high-resolution imagery, and GIS-ready maps to document pole attachments, clearances, and conflicts. Outputs also include feature extraction, attachment inventories, and make-ready support tailored to utility compliance and engineering workflows. Results are delivered in utility-friendly formats that streamline review, improve coordination with attachers, and support defensible decision-making.
INCLUDES
PLS-CADD
Custom Classification
Asset Inventories
Clearance Analysis
Contours
Color Point Clouds
DEM, DSM, DTM
Design Plan Overlay
METHODS
FILE TYPES
LAS, LAZ, DWG, SHP, TIFF, DEM, And more...
SUBSTATION AND FACILITY MODELING
Capture a reliable 3D substation and facility model using advanced aerial data capture and terrestrial scanning. These substation modeling deliverables provide accurate existing-conditions documentation to support planning, upgrades, and expansions—especially when as-builts are missing or outdated. Models are delivered through a web-hosted interface and easily integrate with utility engineering tools to improve coordination across engineering, operations, and management.
INCLUDES
As-builts
POIs
Existing-conditions
Web-Hosted
Point Clouds
METHODS
FILE TYPES
LAS, LAZ, e57, PLY, And more...
MAPPING
Accurate mapping deliverables provide clear, survey-grade insight into existing ground surface conditions and existing site conditions for planning and design. Data collection is completed under the supervision of a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) to ensure verified accuracy and legally defensible results.
INCLUDES
Contours
DEM, DSM, DTM
Orthomosaics
Hydro-flattening
3D Textured Mesh
Classifications
Breaklines
Stockpile Analysis
Design Plan Overlay
Color Point Clouds
METHODS
FILE TYPES
DEM, DXF, KML, LAS, LAZ, SHP, XYZ, SHX
PLANIMETRICS
Planimetric deliverables include detailed vector linework and feature extraction to support mapping, design, and engineering workflows. Outputs are delivered in CAD-ready formats for efficient review, planning, and coordination across project teams.
INCLUDES
Fences
Pavement
Concrete
Docks
Buildings
Roads
Manholes
Powerlines
Curbs
Gutters
Sidewalks
Water Surfaces
Railroad Tracks
Treeline
Drains
And more...
METHODS
FILE TYPES
DWG, SHP, DXF
DIGITAL TWIN
Build a detailed 3D digital twin from interior and exterior point clouds to provide accurate existing-conditions documentation, support engineering workflows, and improve facility planning.
INCLUDES
SLAM
Point Clouds
Scan to BIM
BIM
Feature Classes
Design Overlays
VDC
POIs
METHODS
FILE TYPES
LAS, LAZ, e57, JPEG, PLY
INSPECTR
UTILITY INSPECTION & ASSET MANAGEMENT
INSPECTR is Big Sky Aerial Solutions’ web-based utility inspection platform. Review RGB and thermal imagery, component findings, vegetation hazards, and asset history in one interactive map. Prioritize maintenance, track repairs, and share GIS-ready inspection results across office and field teams.
Use INSPECTR to support your internal inspection program, or partner with Big Sky for production-scale data collection, imagery review, and reporting. Bring component inspections and vegetation assessments together to get more value from each collection.
Request an INSPECTR demo using the contact form below.
PROUD MEMBERS OF
BVLOS
Beyond Visual Line Of Sight
BVLOS flight operations support efficient drone utility inspections, aerial line patrols, and LiDAR corridor mapping—covering longer distances with fewer repositioning stops and reduced field exposure.
Current Operational Waivers Held:
Waiver #107W-2023-03494 for BVLOS operations with no VO in Class G airspace.
Waiver #107W-2024-00334 for shielded BVLOS operations with no VO on all linear infrastructure in Class G airspace throughout the US for multiple aircraft types.
CONTACT
CONTACT
REACH OUT
Fill out the form below to tell us about your project. Our team will follow up within 24 hours.