Alberta, Canada-based charter operator Phoenix Heli-Flight has placed an order for the ROMLite OGI (optical gas imaging) Hybrid system with radiometric HD LWIR sensors, plus a cooled MWIR imager for detecting methane, propane and other hydrocarbon gases, from OFIL Airborne in Austria.

ROMLite Hybrid is an airborne inspection system designed for a applications such as powerline inspection, pipeline inspection, firefighting and forestry work. What sets it apart is its remarkable adaptability, as it can be seamlessly mounted on virtually any helicopter or fixed wing platform as well as large drones.

"We greatly appreciate OFIL's forward-thinking approach in crafting the ROM OGI Hybrid, designed to be future-proof and adaptable to emerging technologies," says operations manager Paul Spring. "The blend of OFIL's extensive experience and its nimbleness in tailoring solutions aligns seamlessly with our vision."

"We are excited to embark on this journey with Phoenix Heli-Flight and look forward to working closely with it to meet its specific needs and develop innovative solutions that drive efficiency and success," adds Ray Hyland, director of airborne solutions at OFIL. "We are particularly excited due to its reputation as an early technology adopter and its aggressive investments in drone technology."

The ROMLite OGI Hybrid has:

- Compact, lightweight multispectral four-sensors with four axis precision stabilisation

- High-definition LW Infrared sensor for detailed powerline inspection

- Cooled MWIR gas inspection sensor for methane and other hydrocarbon gas detection

- Low noise fibre optic inertial measurement unit (IMU)

- Fibreoptic network architecture offers ultra-high data bandwidth, allowing data to be recorded uncompressed with minimal latency

- Highly intuitive and customisable graphical control unit (GCU) for easy command of all sensor functions

- Customisable payload sensor package

- Geo-referenced video and image data

- Various mounting system options due to its small form factor and 44 lb total weight

The anticipated delivery date for the ROMLite Hybrid is Q1 2024, and OFIL Airborne is proud to emphasise the ease of installation, enabling customers to become operational within just one day. The system's fibre optic technology, with a single wire through the cabin, simplifies installation further.