AVIX AXH-E230 Conquers Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range for High-Altitude Power Line Inspection

AVIX and ITRI Collaborate on UAV Test Flight for Mountain Rescue Mission-1

In the early spring of 2021, four engineers from AVIX, led by Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) staff, prepared to conduct a test flight over Taiwan's central mountain range, spanning nearly 3,000 meters in altitude. The mission involved inspecting a 25-kilometer stretch of high-voltage transmission towers from #40 to #118, totaling 79 towers in the central region’s jurisdiction.The challenges of this high-altitude flight were not just weather-related but stemmed from the low aerodynamic performance at high altitudes, requiring the UAV to follow the contours of the tower ridgelines and fly up and down. Additionally, unstable air currents and the risk of signal loss in the mountainous terrain added to the complexity.The engineers split into two teams. Ah Yuan and Lu Ge took the Dan-Da Lin Road route, setting out at 6 AM from Taipower’s Sixth Branch, driving two hours to Qicai Lake, located at 2,980 meters above sea level, where they set up a communication relay station. Meanwhile, Ah Lu and Quan Hong left early, traveling from Shui Li to the open ground in front of the Dan-Da Lin Road's second branch to set up their equipment. Ah Cheng, from the ground control station, completed the detailed flight path planning and established communication with their colleagues 30 kilometers away.Once everything was ready, the helicopter powered on and ascended, battling the strong winds and soaring into the mission’s remote stretch. The UAV flew along the mountainous ridges, inspecting each towering high-voltage transmission tower, capturing images and monitoring the structures from the air. As the engineers waited at Qicai Lake, they anxiously looked to the sky, finally spotting the familiar helicopter flying toward them. Lu Ge recalled the excitement and emotions when the helicopter reached them—it was truly indescribable.The mission covered a total of 46.5 kilometers in high-altitude mountain terrain, with a flight time of about 50 minutes. After successfully completing the inspection of 79 towers, the helicopter made an elegant turn at Qicai Lake and safely returned to the starting point.Many clients often ask about the helicopter’s performance and its notable takeoff points. "If we ever have the chance to test-fly in the Himalayas, we won’t miss it," they say. Though the Himalayan peaks seem far beyond reach, perhaps starting with Taiwan’s "roof"—its mountain forests—will be the first step toward higher horizons. From coastal patrols at low altitudes to high-altitude mountain inspections, the AVIX AXH-E230 is dedicated to safeguarding the beautiful island of Taiwan.