Tecnam says special mission aircraft now operating to help protect TVA electric grid

Tecnam announced the US Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is now operating the Tecnam P2012 “Sentinel” Special Mission Platform (SMP) to protect and maintain its vast electricity grid. Equipped with cutting-edge Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and high-resolution multispectral cameras, the P2012 SMP is transforming how TVA evaluates threats to transmission lines across its network. The primary threat to the region’s power system—the backbone that allows local utility companies to provide electricity—comes from large trees and vegetation. To mitigate these risks, especially ahead of severe weather seasons, TVA utilizes the P2012 SMP to conduct an annual survey of its infrastructure. The advanced onboard systems create precise 3-D models of the earth’s surface and comprehensive topographical maps. The aerial program, fully implemented in 2025 following five years of research, has yielded staggering efficiency gains. While traditional ground crews can survey up to five miles of transmission corridors a day, a two-pilot crew in the P2012 SMP surveys approximately 450 miles a day—a 90-fold increase in productivity. Flying at 120 mph, the P2012 SMP captures data at an astonishing rate of three and a half acres per second. The system’s resolution is so powerful that it can zoom in on a single leaf, giving TVA unparalleled situational awareness to identify vegetation growing into the right-of-way before it causes an outage. Out of the TVA’s 16,500 miles of transmission lines, more than 5,000 miles are part of this critical vegetation management cycle. Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 – Special Mission Platforms Sales & Business Development Manager, commented on the success of the program: “The P2012 SMP was engineered exactly for this kind of demanding, high-endurance aerial work. Seeing the TVA utilize the aircraft’s exceptional payload capacity, stability, and twin-engine reliability to seamlessly integrate complex LiDAR and camera systems is a true testament to the platform’s versatility. We are incredibly proud that Tecnam aircraft are playing a vital role in keeping the lights on for 10 million people while significantly enhancing the safety and efficiency of TVA’s operations.” The program not only protects critical infrastructure like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes from outages, but it also significantly reduces maintenance costs, allowing TVA to reinvest in infrastructure for fast-growing regions. “We’re able to inspect much faster, much safer, with a great level of detail,” added Will Sanders, TVA Right of Way Program Manager. “We really support our people so that they’re able to get out there and make decisions on what is a real threat.” Piper Selects SkyTech Aero as Northeast US Authorised Dealer Piper Aircraft Inc. has selected SkyTech Aero as its authorised dealer for new aircraft sales and service coordination in the Northeastern United States. SkyTech’s sales and service territory includes the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. “As Piper continues to strengthen its global dealer network, we are pleased to welcome SkyTech Aero and its proven customer experience team to represent Piper in this strategically important region of North America,” said Ron Gunnarson, Piper’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing, Customer Support and Quality. “Following the former SkyTech, Inc.  ownership transition in the same region, it was a natural fit to continue our long-standing relationship with John Foster and other former Skytech, Inc. team members when they expressed interest in establishing a new Piper dedicated presence in the Northeast. Their passion for general aviation and for the Piper brand made it impossible for them to stay away from general aviation. We’re genuinely excited to continue this strategic alliance.” “We’re proud to continue our long relationship with Piper in this new chapter,” said John Foster of SkyTech Aero. “Our team has always believed in the strength of the Piper’s product line and the dedication of the customers who fly them. We look forward to bringing that same commitment to pilots across the Northeast and helping grow Piper’s presence in this dynamic aviation community.” SkyTech Aero, based in Rhode Island, has enhanced Piper Aircraft’s footprint across the Northeast by building a dedicated regional team and broadening its service network. The sales division is led by President Tony Sammartino, with support from Aircraft Sales Assistant Caden Eversole and a skilled administrative team. To provide reliable maintenance coverage for Piper owners throughout the region, SkyTech Aero has appointed Shoreline Aviation in Marshfield, Massachusetts, and Northeast Air in Portland, Maine, as approved Piper Service Centers. These alliances reinforce Piper’s commitment to providing exceptional service and support to aircraft owners throughout the Northeast. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]