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A 40-kilometre pipeline crosses fields, runs alongside a river, passes under a motorway. Somewhere along that route, methane is leaking. Your LDAR programme demands a documented inspection. Your ground teams move at 3 km/h with a handheld detector, and some segments simply aren’t accessible on foot.
The AIRINS MetScan V1 changes that equation. Mounted on a DJI Matrice 400 drone, it scans the pipeline from the air with a TDLAS laser. In a single flight, it covers what your teams take days to inspect. Data arrives in real time in AIRINS.ai, and the report is ready before the drone has finished recharging.
A typical mission: screening a gas pipeline
Belt Scan and Facility Scan: two modes for two terrains
Belt Scan, pipelines and linear networks
The drone follows the route. The MetScan automatically scans left to right via its 3-axis gimbal, creating a continuous belt of measurements. The wide coverage reduces the risk of missing a plume even when the wind shifts. The laser hits the target area at an incidence angle close to 90°, which maximizes data quality.
Applications: transport pipelines, distribution networks, post-works verification, screening after excavation near the network.
Facility Scan, facilities and stations (Ultra only)
The drone holds position outside the site boundary, without entering the facility. The MetScan performs an automated sector scan of the area, point by point. The 300 mm telephoto lens can target individual components (valves, flanges, gauges) from over 100 metres away.
Applications: compressor stations, production facilities, tank farms, petrochemical sites, pre/post-maintenance screening.
MetScan V1 Ultra or Standard: which one to choose?
| Feature | Ultra | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Belt Scan (pipelines) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sector Scan (facilities) | ✓ | – |
| 2D visualization | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3D visualization + Laser Ray | ✓ | – |
| AI Hotspot (2D) | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI Hotspot (3D) | ✓ | – |
| CSV export | ✓ | ✓ |
| GeoJSON & Shapefile export | ✓ | – |
| Ortho & 2.5D/3D model import | ✓ | – |
| Onboard video storage | ~250 hours | ~30 hours |
| On-prem deployment | ✓ | – |
| Customizable animation | ✓ | – |
| Real-time MQTT forwarding | ✓ (option) | – |
| Upgrade to Ultra | – | €22,000 |
In short: Standard is suitable for screening linear pipelines with 2D reports. Ultra is essential if you inspect facilities (Sector Scan), need 3D, GIS exports, or must deploy the platform on your own servers.
Pricing
Purchase (perpetual license)
| Version | 1-year warranty | 2-year warranty | Upgrade S→U |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetScan V1 Ultra | €40,000 excl. VAT | €50,000 excl. VAT | – |
| MetScan V1 Standard | €20,000 excl. VAT | – | €22,000 excl. VAT |
Additional AIRINS.ai sub-account: €500 excl. VAT (one-time)
Quarterly subscription (Ultra only)
You don’t buy the hardware, you rent it quarter by quarter.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Security deposit (refundable) | €5,000 |
| Quarterly fee (200 km flight included) | €3,000 / quarter |
| Additional kilometre beyond 200 km | €15 / km |
| AIRINS.ai account setup | €500 (one-time) |
The subscription is ideal for testing the technology before investing, or for operators with seasonal rather than continuous campaigns.
Coming soon: MetScan Nano 1 (Q2 2026)
A compact version for the DJI Matrice 4D/4TD and Dock 3. Same Ultra/Standard variants. Ultra subscription: €2,250/quarter (300 km included). Ideal for autonomous LDAR missions with no on-site operator.
Compliance: EU Methane Regulation and OGMP 2.0
The EU Methane Regulation (EU 2024/1787) requires energy sector operators to run documented, recurring LDAR programmes. MetScan + AIRINS.ai supports these workflows:
Aerial LDAR screening
Belt Scan and Facility Scan form a screening step within the LDAR programme. They don’t replace detailed component-level inspection (sniffer, OGI), but they prioritize it intelligently.
Structured documentation
Every mission is archived in AIRINS.ai with history, coordinates, reports and raw data. Traceability is native.
OGMP 2.0
Aerial screening sits between bottom-up (component-level) and top-down (site-level) measurements. It helps locate and prioritize sources ahead of detailed inspection, and contributes to reconciling emissions inventories.
GDPR
European version of the platform (eu.airins.ai). Access management by accounts and sub-accounts. Control over data retention and export.
Complete your solution
The MetScan detects methane remotely. For other gases (H²S, SO², NH³, VOCs) or combined missions, the Sniffer4D range rounds out the setup:
Sniffer4D Nano2+ Multi-Gas, detects 5 gases simultaneously in contact mode. Can be mounted on the same Matrice 400 as the MetScan to combine methane screening with multi-gas detection in a single flight.
Sniffer4D Nano2+ Methane (TDLAS), onboard methane detection at 1 ppm. Ground confirmation after a MetScan screening. Measures inside the gas chamber (not remotely).
→ AIRINS brand page, the full range
→ AIRINS x DJI compatibility chart
Frequently asked questions
What area can be covered in a single flight?
The Matrice 400 offers up to 59 minutes of endurance. In Belt Scan mode, a flight typically covers 5 to 15 km of pipeline depending on altitude, speed and wind conditions.
Can the MetScan quantify emissions?
Quantification (in kg/h) is available as an advanced workflow via AIRINS.ai, in collaboration with the AIRINS team. It isn’t included by default but can be enabled on request.
What is the difference between the MetScan V1 and the MetScan Nano 1?
The V1 is built for heavier platforms (M400, M350 RTK) and covers large infrastructure. The Nano 1 (Q2 2026) is the compact version for the Matrice 4D/4TD and Dock 3, ideal for scheduled autonomous missions.
Is the subscription a long-term commitment?
The subscription runs quarter by quarter. You can stop at the end of any quarter (the security deposit is refunded once the equipment is returned in good condition). No annual commitment.
Do I need a specific flight permit?
Pipeline inspection flights generally fall under the specific category (SORA) of European regulation. We can help you prepare the operational file.
See it in action
A Practical Workflow for Gas Pipeline Leak UAV Inspection (1:00)
A Practical Workflow for Gas Facility Leak UAV Inspection (1:22)
Drone Methane Leak Detection with 3D Facility Integration (0:11)
Ready to detect methane from the air?
Contact our team for a MetScan quote tailored to your operations.
Request a MetScan quote →Drone Parts Center, Authorized AIRINS Partner & Authorized DJI Enterprise Reseller, Nivelles, Belgium