Drone Methane Detection in India
A drone finds methane leaks along pipelines, at wellheads, landfills and plants without crews walking the line. HobiTech supplies SPH Engineering's integrated methane systems in India: a laser detector or an in-air sniffer, with SkyHub, UgCS, mounting and training from one team.
What drone methane detection is used for
In India, the buyers are oil and gas and city gas distribution operators, pipeline inspection firms, landfill and biogas operators, and environmental consultants doing leak detection and emissions surveys.
Pipelines and right-of-way
Screen long pipeline corridors for leaks and flag points for a ground crew to check. Drone methane detection on a pipeline corridor in Juárez.
Wells and facilities
Check wellheads and abandoned wells from a safe distance. Leaks flagged at abandoned oil and gas wells.
Landfills and biogas
Map methane hotspots across a landfill surface. Mapping methane over a Dutch landfill · Finding landfill hotspots with thermal and methane sensors.
Proven measurement
The Falcon sensor has been tested with the UK National Physical Laboratory. Testing the Falcon methane sensor with NPL.
The methane systems
There are two ways to find methane from a drone: read it from a distance with a laser, or fly through the plume and sample the air.
A laser methane detector that reads gas along its beam from 10 to 40 metres away, so the drone does not fly through the plume.
- Tunable diode laser (TDLAS), readings in ppm × m
- Minimal detectable flow rate 1 g/h (about 500 ppm)
- 360 g, 25 ms response, self-calibrating
- SPH states it meets the EUMR 2024/1787 Type 2 LDAR criteria
A gas module from SensorX Solutions that samples the air the drone flies through, bundled with the SkyHub onboard computer.
- Methane accurate down to 0.5 ppm, readings at 2 Hz
- Cores for methane, methane + ethane, CO2 and ammonia
- From 0.9 kg, self-calibrating
- Optional quantified emission reports in g/hr
Swap the core to measure a second gas alongside methane, or a different gas.
- Methane + ethane core (CH4 and C2H6, 1 Hz)
- Ammonia core (NH3)
- Logged on SkyHub with position
Side by side
| System | How it measures | Reading | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcon Plus TDLAS | Laser, 10–40 m away | ppm × m along the beam | 360 g | Fast leak screening of pipelines, wells and sites |
| FluX Aero sniffer | Samples the air in flight | ppm, 0.5 ppm accuracy, 2 Hz | From 0.9 kg | Concentration maps and emission reports (g/hr) |
| FluX methane + ethane | Samples the air in flight | CH4 and C2H6, 1 Hz | From 0.9 kg | Telling pipeline gas from biogenic methane |
What a complete system includes
The detector is one part. We quote the whole configuration so it works on day one.
1. The detector
The Falcon Plus laser or the FluX Aero sniffer, chosen for how you want to survey.
2. A mount for your drone
Laser Falcon mountings are listed for the DJI M300 RTK, M210 and M600 Pro; the FluX Aero kit includes mountings for the DJI M300/M350 RTK.
3. SkyHub and its methane package
The SkyHub onboard computer logs every reading with position, using the Methane detector package (Falcon) or the Methane sniffer package (FluX).
4. Terrain following
A laser or radar altimeter, such as the SF30/D laser altimeter, keeps a steady height over uneven ground.
5. UgCS flight planning
Plan the survey and watch methane readings live in UgCS.
6. Maps and reports
SPH Engineering's DroneGIS turns the readings into methane maps and reports, in cloud and on-premise versions.
Which one do you need
The Falcon Plus. It reads methane from 10–40 m away, so the drone can follow the line quickly without flying through gas.
The FluX Aero. It measures concentration in ppm and can produce quantified emission reports in g/hr.
The FluX methane + ethane core. Ethane alongside methane helps separate pipeline gas from landfill or farm methane.
Either: the Falcon Plus for fast hotspot screening, the FluX Aero for concentration maps across the surface.
Tell us the site, what you need to find and the drone you fly. We will suggest a configuration.
Buying drone methane detection in India
HobiTech is an Official Partner of SPH Engineering in India.
One quote for the whole system
Detector, mount, SkyHub, altimeter and UgCS quoted together in rupees.
Training and certification
SPH Engineering's methane detection courses, self-study or trainer-led, with an exam. See methane detection training.
Support from Bengaluru
First-line questions come to us, and go to SPH Engineering only when they need to.
The rest of the SPH range
GPR, magnetometers, echo sounders and gamma spectrometers on the same SkyHub. Drone GPR · Drone bathymetry · all SPH systems.
Get a methane detection quote
Name, mobile and what you need to inspect. A specialist calls you back with the right system for your drone.
Drone methane detection FAQs
Where can I buy a drone methane detector in India?
HobiTech supplies SPH Engineering's integrated methane systems in India: the Falcon Plus TDLAS laser detector and the SensorX FluX Aero sniffer, with SkyHub, UgCS and mounting. Send us your survey details and we will quote the full configuration.
What is the difference between a laser detector and a sniffer?
A laser (TDLAS) detector such as the Falcon Plus reads methane along its beam from 10 to 40 metres away, in ppm × m. A sniffer such as the FluX Aero measures the concentration of the air the drone flies through, in ppm, down to 0.5 ppm.
Which drone do I need?
SPH Engineering lists the DJI M300, M350 and M600, the Inspired Flight IF1200A and several other drones for these systems. Tell us what you fly and we will confirm the mount and SkyHub setup.
How small a leak can it find?
SPH Engineering gives the Falcon Plus a minimal detectable flow rate of 1 g/h (about 500 ppm). The FluX Aero measures methane concentration down to 0.5 ppm.
What do I need to fly it legally in India?
The rules apply to the drone, not the sensor: it needs a UIN on Digital Sky, and commercial flights need a remote pilot certificate. Check the site's airspace zone on the Digital Sky map before each job.
What does a drone methane detection system cost?
Every system is quoted per configuration, because the detector, mount, software and training differ by job. Ask for the current lead time with your quote.
Tell us where you need to find methane
Share the site, the job and the drone you fly. We will recommend a detector and quote the full system in rupees.
Product and software details on this page use data from SPH Engineering, the manufacturer.