Drone Inspections

Sterling delivers drone-based inspections for bridges, structures, and infrastructure assets where traditional access methods are high-risk, time-prohibitive, or operationally disruptive. Our CASA-certified pilots have completed 100+ drone inspections in the past year, including 21 major bridge structures for Transurban (Bolte Bridge, Western Link Elevated viaduct), demonstrating capability to operate within complex airspace, live traffic environments, and stringent safety constraints.

We deploy drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and photogrammetric software to capture detailed imagery of structural elements, identify defects, and create 3D models for desktop analysis. Through our partnership with Trendspek, Sterling delivers 3D photogrammetric models enabling engineers to conduct remote inspections, measure crack widths, assess corrosion extent, and track deterioration over time—eliminating repeated lane closures or scaffolding for follow-up assessments.

Drone inspections integrate with Sterling's broader geospatial capabilities—survey control networks ensure geo-referenced positioning, laser scanning provides complementary ground-level detail, and digital twin platforms enable longitudinal condition monitoring. This multi-modal approach provides infrastructure owners with comprehensive spatial intelligence supporting evidence-based maintenance planning and optimised intervention timing.