BVLOS Background Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) is a game-changer in the drone industry, offering unprecedented capabilities for various unmanned applications. Unlike Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) operations, where pilots must keep the drone within their direct line of sight, BVLOS allows drones to operate beyond this range. This capability opens up new opportunities for longer flights, greater coverage, and remote operations.  What is BVLOS and Why is it Important? BVLOS refers to the operation of drones beyond the visual line of sight of the operator. This capability allows drones to cover greater distances, making them ideal for applications requiring extensive area coverage or prolonged flight durations. BVLOS provides enhanced capabilities for many types of missions such as infrastructure inspection, search and rescue, agricultural monitoring, and environmental surveying. The primary advantages of BVLOS include:
  • Extended Range: Drones can fly further and longer, covering larger areas without the need for multiple launch and recovery points.
  • Increased Efficiency: BVLOS reduces the time and cost associated with deploying ground-based personnel, making operations more efficient.
  • Enhanced Safety: By operating remotely, BVLOS minimises the risk to human operators, especially in hazardous environments.
  Examples of Organisations Flying BVLOS Several organisations have successfully integrated BVLOS operations into their workflows, demonstrating the versatility and potential of this capability:
  • Fliight: Fliight utilises BVLOS technology to support clients in deploying drones for various applications, including asset inspection and surveillance. 
  • Sensorum: Sensorum uses BVLOS drones for inspecting grain silos and remote bird scaring around grain silos. 
  • Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW): BVLOS drones play a crucial role in marine surveillance, monitoring large stretches of coastline and open water. DCCEEW employs these drones for tasks such as illegal fishing detection, environmental protection, and maritime security.
  • Skykelpie: Skykelpie has adopted BVLOS drones for cattle mustering. This technology allows for efficient monitoring and herding of livestock over large properties, reducing the need for ground-based operations.
  • Pyper Vision: Pyper Vision flies BVLOS in foggy non-visual conditions to test their fog measuring and fog dispersal equipment, including at controlled aerodomes.  
BVLOS Approval Process Obtaining approval for BVLOS operations involves several steps and requires a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory environment. The Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) framework, developed by the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS), is used in BVLOS applications SORA provides a structured approach to assessing and mitigating risks associated with BVLOS operations. It involves a series of steps, including identifying ground and air risks, evaluating operational limitations, and determining mitigations. Once the SORA and other application documents are submitted, the regulator reviews the documents and grants approval based on the operator’s compliance with safety standards and regulations. This approval process can vary in complexity and duration depending on the specific application and operational environment. The full process for BVLOS approvals typically follows the following stages.  SORA-Mate SORA-Mate is a revolutionary tool designed to simplify the process of obtaining BVLOS approvals. SORA-Mate provides a user-friendly platform for conducting risk assessments and generating the necessary documentation for regulatory approval under the JARUS-SORA framework.  SORA-Mate streamlines the risk assessment process by integrating various data sources, such as airspace classifications, population density, and environmental factors. This automation reduces the time and effort required to complete the assessment, allowing operators to focus on operational planning and execution. Additionally, SORA-Mate generates standardised documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. This standardisation streamlines the approval process, making it quicker and easier for operators to obtain the necessary permissions from the regulator.  BVLOS is transforming the landscape of drone operations, offering unprecedented capabilities for a wide range of applications. The benefits of BVLOS, from extended range and efficiency to enhanced safety, make it an attractive option for organisations looking to expand their operational capabilities. However, the approval process for BVLOS operations can be complex and time-consuming. SORA-Mate is an invaluable tool in simplifying this process, providing operators with a resource they can use to conduct safe and compliant BVLOS missions.   
August 18, 2024