Cell‑tower networks are critical to U.S. communications. Inspections are essential, yet climbing towers exposes technicians to fall hazards and electromagnetic radiation. Drones are increasingly used to perform tower inspections faster, safer and at lower cost.

Flight Patterns and Data‑Capture Methods

Inspecting a tower requires capturing imagery from multiple perspectives with sufficient overlap for photogrammetry.

    • Tower verticals – the drone ascends vertically along the tower capturing close‑up imagery.

    • Antenna orbits – the drone orbits each antenna level to obtain 360° viewssky-elements.com.

    • Upwards helix / Downwards helix – a helical path spirals around the tower at constant horizontal distance, capturing overlapping images at different heightssky-elements.com.

    • Panorama orbits and simple orbits provide broad contextual images

  • A nadir (downward‑looking) pass above the tower or dome orbits.

  • Under FAA Part 107, drones normally must remain below 400 ft above ground level (AGL). However, when inspecting a tower, pilots may fly higher than 400 ft if they remain within a 400‑ft horizontal radius of the structure and not more than 400 ft above its highest point.

A communication tower with multiple antennas and what appears to be digitally added rotating drone with propellers and circular orbit rings around its body, against a blue sky with some clouds.

Orbit Sequence:

  • Perform multiple circular orbits around the tower at different elevations.

  • Each orbit should capture the structure from various angles (top-down, mid-level, and base-level).

  • Vertical Scans: Capture straight-up vertical shots to complement the orbit data.

  • 5-8 ft above the tower

  • Perform an orbit every 5-8 ft. towards the ground

  • Continue down to the ground equipment

  • 5-8 ft. distance from the structure

  • Camera tilt -45deg

Picture frequency

  • Overlap 80%

  • Every 1 to 2 seconds take a photo