Chevron : Pipeline aerial patrol reaches new heights

For longer flights, the AiRanger can fit the bill. While a UAS is a drone, it's larger than the small quadcopter drone you may be used to seeing. And with a wingspan just over 18 feet, it's also not quite as big as a full-sized plane.

In fact, the AiRanger flies farther and for more hours than either, while providing real-time reports on any potential threats to the pipeline.

Here's a look at some of the differences between the three types of aircraft; listing their weight, power source or gas usage, and average flight times.