In short: for drone-based methane detection, the reference is the MetScan TDLAS sensor mounted on a DJI Matrice: remote quantification of leaks on sites, flares and pipelines. Configuration and pricing on request – request a quote.

Your drone sees the methane your teams can’t

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

The briefing Your operator plans the mission in DJI Pilot 2: waypoints along the pipeline route, constant altitude, matched speed. The MetScan is mounted on the Matrice 400’s gimbal. Batteries charged, ready for take-off.
The flight The drone follows the pipeline. The MetScan performs an automated scan on both sides of the route, this is Belt Scan mode. The TDLAS laser probes methane along the optical path between the sensor and the ground. Wide-angle and 300 mm telephoto cameras record synchronized video. 50 measurements per second, forming a continuous strip of geo-referenced data.
Quality control During the flight, the operator monitors the data in AIRINS.ai. Coverage displays in real time on the map. If an area isn’t sufficiently covered, they see it immediately and can adjust the mission before landing.
The analysis Back on the ground, the complete dataset syncs to AIRINS.ai (Wi-Fi, Starlink or mobile hotspot). The platform generates interactive maps: 2D heatmap, 3D point cloud, overlay on a base map.
The report AIRINS.ai produces an AI-assisted inspection report: suspected hotspots with GPS coordinates, supporting imagery, key indicators. Shapefile, GeoJSON and CSV export for GIS integration. A shareable link sends the field team directly to the points of interest.
Targeted intervention Your technicians no longer walk 40 km of pipeline blind. They go straight to the 3 or 4 points flagged by the aerial screening, with a handheld sniffer and an OGI camera to confirm and pinpoint the leak at component level.

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?

FeatureUltraStandard
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 – ✓ (available)

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.

Versions and purchasing options

Purchase or subscription

The MetScan V1P comes in Ultra and Standard versions, with a perpetual licence and a one-year or two-year warranty. You can upgrade from Standard to Ultra after purchase, and additional AIRINS.ai sub-accounts are available. MetScan V1P product page.

MetScan Nano 1F and Nano 1D for DJI Matrice 4D / 4TD and Dock 3

A compact version of the MetScan, available in the same Ultra and Standard variants, either as a purchase or as an Ultra subscription. It is suited to autonomous LDAR missions launched from a DJI Dock 3, with no operator on site. MetScan Nano 1F product page and MetScan Nano 1D product page.

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 Nano 2 Plus 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 Nano 2 Plus 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

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