GRAIN TOWER
&
WATER TOWER
PROFESSIONAL AERIAL STRUCTURAL IMAGING & MONITORING
Thermal and visual drone inspections serve as a standard method for assessing grain silos (towers/bins) and water towers, with agricultural operators, grain storage facilities, utilities, and maintenance teams using aerial data to evaluate structural condition more safely, quickly, and accurately. These UAS platforms capture high-resolution RGB (visual) imagery and thermal infrared data, detecting issues such as corrosion, cracks, hotspots indicating moisture or spoilage, sediment buildup, insulation gaps, leaks, or uneven heating that are challenging or hazardous to identify from ground-level or manual access.
Skyline Aerial Solutions specializes in collecting and delivering high-quality aerial data—raw imagery, stitched orthomosaics, annotated thermal maps, and real-time monitoring sessions—to support professionals in agriculture, grain handling, water utilities, and facility management. This data aids in generating maintenance plans, documenting asset integrity, prioritizing repairs, and ensuring compliance without climbing, confined-space entry, or prolonged downtime.
FAA Part 107-certified pilots perform safe, compliant flights, producing deliverables that integrate directly into existing workflows—such as routine condition checks, post-storm assessments, pre-harvest verifications, or ongoing remote oversight.
Real-time live feeds and remote monitoring options enable stakeholders (e.g., facility managers, inspectors, or owners off-site) to observe inspections live via secure streaming, request targeted views, and obtain immediate insights without travel or delays.
APPLICATIONS
THERMAL GRAIN TOWER / SILO INSPECTION
Thermal imaging identifies temperature variations that signal hotspots from spoilage, moisture pockets, uneven heating, trapped water, or fermentation in stored grain—common risks leading to quality loss or safety hazards. Drones detect these anomalies from exterior flights, highlighting problem areas without internal entry. Deliverables include annotated thermal maps overlaid on RGB imagery, exportable for reports, insurance claims, or spoilage mitigation planning. Ideal for agricultural cooperatives, grain elevators, and storage facilities to monitor fill levels, detect early spoilage, and prevent costly losses or explosions.
VISUAL/RGB GRAIN TOWER / SILO INSPECTION
High-resolution RGB captures reveal exterior surface issues such as corrosion, cracks, rust, sealant failures, structural deformation, or damage to ladders, vents, and access points. Drones generate comprehensive 360-degree perspectives and stitched orthomosaics (high-accuracy 2D maps) for precise measurements of affected areas and overall integrity. These visuals support accurate condition documentation, repair prioritization, and compliance tracking—particularly useful for tall or confined-access silos where traditional scaffolding or boom lifts are expensive and risky.
THERMAL WATER TOWER INSPECTION
Thermal imaging detects sediment layering, insulation gaps, uneven heating, vapor locks, overfill risks, or leaks in tank walls and supports—indicators of potential failures or inefficiencies. Drones identify these from safe standoff distances, highlighting temperature differentials that signal internal issues. Annotated thermal overlays provide clear evidence for maintenance teams and utilities to plan interventions, extend asset life, and ensure operational safety.
VISUAL/RGB WATER TOWER INSPECTION
High-resolution RGB imagery documents exterior corrosion, cracking, paint degradation, structural welds, access platforms, and antenna/equipment attachments on towers. Orthomosaics enable detailed measurements and baseline comparisons over time, supporting inspection reports, regulatory compliance, and prioritized repairs—especially for elevated or hard-to-reach municipal/rural water towers in areas like Grays Harbor or Mason County.
REMOTE MONITORING & LIVE SESSIONS
For ongoing asset tracking, post-event checks, or multi-party coordination, real-time remote monitoring is available. Live thermal and RGB feeds stream securely to teams or stakeholders—allowing interactive oversight (e.g., zoom on suspected hotspots or corrosion). This reduces site visits, speeds assessments, and creates timestamped records for insurance, compliance, or maintenance documentation. Effective for seasonal monitoring, warranty verifications, or supervising repairs remotely.
ORTHOMOSAIC & 3D MODEL DELIVERABLES
Stitched high-resolution orthomosaics create accurate, georeferenced 2D maps of silos and towers for measurements, defect annotation, and trend analysis. Combined with thermal data, these support detailed reports on hotspot patterns, corrosion progression, or structural changes. Exports in standard formats (PDF, JPEG, GIS-compatible) integrate with asset management software or inspection tools—streamlining documentation for maintenance planning, claims, or regulatory filings.
BENEFITS FOR YOUR TEAM
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Safety First — Eliminate confined-space entry, climbing hazards, and fall risks; keep teams on the ground.
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Speed & Efficiency — Inspect tall structures in minutes to hours, reducing downtime and labor compared to manual methods.
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Cost Savings — Lower scaffolding, boom lift, and personnel costs; provide precise data for proactive repairs and reduced losses (e.g., early spoilage detection in grain).
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Accuracy & Detail — High-res thermal/RGB reveals hidden issues like moisture or corrosion; orthomosaics enable precise mapping and repeatable monitoring.
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Flexibility — On-demand, as-available service tailored to schedules; remote options minimize travel for multi-site or stakeholder reviews.
Services are available primarily in Western Washington, with focus on Thurston, Pierce, Mason, Lewis, and Grays Harbor counties for rapid local response.