Inspection of power transmission lines is vital to maintain the reliability of the national electric grid. With the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), it's possible to propose new, safer, and more reliable inspection methods. The use of drones to automate the inspection process offers an efficient and safe alternative, but it faces challenges in terms of flight planning, image acquisition and processing, and data analysis. This study proposes an integrated framework for inspecting power transmission lines with drones, incorporating stages of planning, image acquisition, image processing, and data analysis. The framework is divided into specific systems: the Flight Planning System defines the routes and inspection objectives; the Flight Management System configures and operates the hardware to execute the plan; the Image Acquisition System captures data in the field; the Image Processing System classifies, stores, and processes the images; and the Information Intelligence System compiles and analyzes the data, generating reports and insights for end users. The proposed framework aims to increase the efficiency of power transmission line inspections by reducing costs, risks, and response times. The system-based approach allows for flexibility in adjustments and the implementation of improvements over time, providing a robust automated process. The results suggest that this framework can significantly enhance inspection efficacy, representing a significant advancement for the power sector.
