Fixed Wing Aircraft Solar Inspections

Example fixed-wing aircraft that can be used for solar PV site inspections (a partial list) include:

Cessna 172 Skyhawk

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the most common aircraft in the world. Most pilots have trained on this easy-to-operate, four-seater aircraft. The high-wing design of the 172 means that operators sit underneath the wing and have a superior view. For a data capture specialist, this means that a camera pointed downwards from within the cabin will have a relatively clear field of view. The two main obstructions to the field of view in a 172 are the wing spar (diagonal support) and the non-retractable wheel.

Cessna 182 Skylane

The Cessna 182 Skylane is a larger, faster variant of the 172. The increased cabin area means that interior modification of the aircraft is not necessary, and the data capture can be more comfortable. The 182 is also more likely to have upgraded cockpit instrumentation, resulting in a better flying experience.