The Flyability Elios 3 Tether Power Unit enables continuous flight for indoor and confined space inspections, removing the limitations of battery-powered operations. Purpose-built for long, complex, or high-risk missions, it’s an essential solution for industries like oil & gas, maritime, power generation, and storage.
By delivering uninterrupted power to the Elios 3 drone, the Tether Power Unit ensures comprehensive data capture while reducing mission downtime. Ideal for inspecting massive assets such as tanks, pipelines, boilers, and cargo holds, it transforms Elios 3 into a tool for safer, longer, and more confident operations.
Equipment Type: Drone Payload
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The Elios 3 Tether Power Unit is built for the long, demanding missions where battery swaps just aren’t practical. Whether it’s inspecting a storage tank, cargo hold, boiler, or offshore pipeline, continuous flight is essential to gather complete data and minimize downtime.
By delivering uninterrupted power through a rugged 50 m Kevlar-reinforced cable, the Tether Power Unit keeps Elios 3 in the air as long as the mission requires, without sacrificing the maneuverability and stability the drone is known for. And for challenging outdoor or over-water inspections, the tether doubles as a physical safety line, giving inspectors added confidence when it matters most.
From oil & gas to maritime, power generation, mining, and beyond, the Elios 3 Tether Power Unit is a leap forward in efficiency, safety, and mission reliability.
With the Elios 3 Tether Power Unit, pilots aren’t locked into one mode of operation. The Air Unit that connects the tether can be swapped for a standard Elios 3 battery in just seconds, no tools required.
This means inspectors can fly tethered for long-duration inspections, then switch to untethered mode when they need to go beyond the tether’s reach.
It’s the best of both worlds: unlimited power when you need endurance, and full mobility when you need flexibility.
One of the standout features of the Elios 3 Tether Power Unit is the Anti-Flip Swivel, a decoupling ring that keeps the drone stable even if the tether cable snags or pulls. It allows full 360° rotation around the drone, so pilots can fly as freely as if untethered while knowing the cable won’t disturb the mission.
When switching back to battery power, the swivel is designed for quick removal without tools, making the transition simple and efficient.
This combination of flight stability and practical usability ensures inspectors can focus fully on gathering data—not managing the tether.
Even in the unlikely event of a power outage, the Elios 3 Tether Power Unit ensures the mission ends safely. The ground unit is equipped with a backup battery that automatically activates if external power is lost, providing around three minutes of flight time.
That’s enough for pilots to regain control and guide the drone to a safe landing without panic or risk of losing the aircraft. The system uses a standard Elios 3 battery (big or standard) as the backup, ensuring easy compatibility and simple replacement.
With this safety net built in, inspectors can fly tethered with complete confidence—even in unpredictable environments.
The Elios 3 Tether Power Unit is equipped with a 50-meter Kevlar®-reinforced cable, designed to be both lightweight and exceptionally strong, with a tensile resistance of up to 50 kg. This rugged construction ensures the tether can handle snags, abrasion, and the daily stress of demanding inspections without compromise.
To keep operations simple, the system includes a dedicated cable reel: the drone unwinds the tether automatically during flight, and once the mission is complete, the cable can be rewound manually in a controlled, hassle-free way.
Together, the durable cable and reel deliver a dependable and practical solution for long-duration, confined space inspections.
Before launch, the Elios 3 Tether Power Unit was field-tested in demanding offshore conditions to validate its reliability.
During testing, the system enabled flights lasting well over an hour, including extended operations beneath large structures where traditional battery power would have fallen short.
The tether not only provided the endurance needed for complete inspections, but also served as a critical safety line over water and hazardous areas. These trials confirmed the Tether Power Unit’s ability to deliver uninterrupted performance in some of the most challenging environments inspectors face.
Inspections don’t always happen close to home, and the Elios 3 Tether Power Unit is ready wherever the job takes you. Supporting 100–240 V AC input, it can plug into standard power outlets across the globe, making it simple to deploy in any region without specialized equipment. Whether it’s an offshore platform, a refinery, or an industrial facility halfway around the world, the Tether Power Unit is built to perform.
| Power Input | 100V @ 50Hz to 240V @ 60Hz (AC with earth plug) |
| Max. Tether Operating Range | 50 m max (164.04 ft) |
| Ingress Protection | IP54 |
| Payload Compatibility | Surveying, UT, RAD, Gas Sensor |
| Tether-to-Battery | Tool-free manip. Requires replacing the Air Unit with an Elios 3 battery |
| Backup Battery | Standard or High Capacity battery for Elios 3 (in ground unit) |
| System Total Weight | 22.8 kg (50.26 lbs) |
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