b'76 TUL OPERATIONSDrone Program Lifts Off and Boosts Operational Efficiency at Tulsa Intl BY KEN WYSOCKYTulsa International Airport (TUL)the FAA office and is leveraging aerial drones to takeairports across the its inspections and maintenanceregion. to new heights of effectiveness, efficiencyIm surprised at FACTS&FIGURESand safety. the number of ways Project: Aerial Drone Program The Oklahoma airport has investedweve found to use Location: Tulsa Intl Airport, in OK nearly $31,000 to purchase four dronesthe drones, says Drone Missions: Inspecting airfield pavement, facilitysince early 2018 and is still discoveringMichael Dahl, airfieldMICHAEL DAHLroofs & perimeter fences; performing wildlife surveys;new uses for them. Trained operators flyoperations agent and unmanned aerial monitoring progress of infrastructure projects; completingthe remote-controlled units to inspectsystem coordinator. Theyve been really security audits; sending real-time footage of emergencyairfield pavement, perimeter fencing andbeneficial. Our drone program has really response drill to regional FAA office facility rooftops. Other missions includeadvanced and grown during the last two Cost: Nearly $31,000 for 4 units land assessments, wildlife surveys andyears.Funding: Airport revenue security audits.Cole Brown, Drone Manufacturers: Autel Robotics; Skydio Inc. Last May, TUL deployed one of itsdirector of Operations Capabilities: Photo, video & thermal imaging; telephoto drones to livestream a training exerciseat TUL, is absolutely & wide-angle views that simulated an airplane crash with theamazed at the Requirements: Operators license; FAA certificate added complication of a train carryingdrones capabilities. of waiver hazardous materials near the airportThe sky is the limit Approved Operators: 6 perimeter. This allowed personnel at thefor what you can do Program Timeline: Early 2022-present FAA Southwest Regional Office in Fortwith drones at anCOLE BROWNKey Benefits: Safer rooftop & airfield inspections; ability toWorth to watch crews from the airportairport, he says. access hard-to-reach areas of perimeter fences; detecting airand several local agencies responding toTheyve proven to be more useful thanleaks from facilities; freeing employees to perform other tasksthe mock accident in real-timea first forI ever imagined.October 2025AirportImprovement.com'