Optimizing Your Drone for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line Of Sight) Operations

Operating a drone beyond the pilot's visual line of sight (BVLOS) presents a set of challenges that are distinct from those faced during traditional visual line of sight (VLOS) operations. BVLOS flights unlock a wealth of opportunities such as large-scale agricultural monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and long-distance delivery. However, to undertake BVLOS missions safely and effectively, the drone must be optimized to handle extended distances, communication lapses, and other related challenges. Here's a guide on how to optimize a drone for BVLOS operations:

Enhanced Communication Systems

Long-Range Transmission: Drones need a robust communication system capable of maintaining a strong signal over extended distances. Solutions like satellite communication, LTE, or dedicated RF bands can be explored.

Redundant Systems: It's wise to have a backup communication method to ensure continuous contact with the drone even if the primary system fails.

Advanced Navigation Systems

High-Quality GPS: Ensuring accurate positioning is vital. Invest in a high-quality GPS module that can provide precise and stable location data.

Obstacle Detection: Equip the drone with sensors such as LiDAR, radar, or sonar to detect and avoid obstacles, especially when flying at low altitudes.

Autonomous Operation

Waypoint Navigation: Drones should be able to follow pre-defined waypoints, allowing them to execute a mission even if communication is temporarily lost.

Fail-safes: Implement algorithms for scenarios like loss of GPS signal or low battery. The drone should be able to return home or land safely autonomously.

Extended Battery Life and Efficient Propulsion

High-capacity Batteries: Opt for batteries that provide longer flight times to cover greater distances.

Power-Efficient Motors: Efficient motors will enhance the drone’s range and endurance, making it more suitable for BVLOS.

Real-time Data Processing and Transmission

Onboard Processing: To minimize the amount of data being transmitted, employ edge computing principles where data is processed on the drone and only relevant insights are sent back.

Low-latency Transmission: Especially crucial for real-time monitoring or surveillance tasks, ensuring that the data feed has minimal delay is pivotal.

Weather Resistance

Given that BVLOS flights can span large areas, drones might encounter varying weather conditions.

Robust Build: The drone should be built to withstand changes in temperature, moisture, and wind conditions.

Thorough Testing

Before committing to extended BVLOS missions, conduct thorough testing in controlled environments. This helps identify any potential weaknesses in the system and rectify them.

Training and Simulation

Even if the drone can operate autonomously, pilots should undergo rigorous training. Using simulators can help pilots familiarize themselves with the drone's behavior during BVLOS operations without actual flight risks.

While BVLOS operations promise revolutionary applications for drones, ensuring safe and efficient flights requires meticulous planning and optimization. By attending to the mentioned aspects, operators can maximize the potential of BVLOS flights while maintaining safety and efficiency.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS): An Introduction

Did you know that most commercial drone operations in the USA today are conducted within the Visual Line of Sight of the Remote Pilot in Command? In fact, no individual or organization can fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) in U.S. airspace without first obtaining a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). What this means is that we’ve not yet realized the full potential or cost and time-saving benefits of drone technology here in the USA. The ability to operate BVLOS will undoubtedly open up innumerable opportunities for businesses to streamline their operations across a wide range of industries. So what does it mean to fly BVLOS, and how can an organization go about getting certified to do so?

What is BVLOS?

Under the current regulatory framework, the FAA requires pilots to “see and avoid” other aircraft. In traditional manned aviation, this is easy enough to achieve by simply having a pilot onboard scanning the horizon for other vehicles that may be close by. The same can’t be said for unmanned aviation, where the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) is on the ground instead of onboard. For this reason, the current FAA rules dictate that drone operations be conducted within “visual line of sight” of the RPIC, unaided by any technology other than prescription glasses or contact lenses. The way around this is to obtain an appropriate waiver from the FAA to fly BVLOS, which means beyond the RPIC’s direct line of sight.

What are the benefits of flying BVLOS?

Over the past decade, drones have proven themselves an invaluable asset for data collection and intelligence across the spectrum from agriculture to public safety. These tools have allowed us to gather data more quickly, with higher precision, and with less expense. But we would argue that the actual benefits of drone technology have not yet been realized because of the requirement to fly within the Visual Line of Sight of the RPIC. The true potential of the drone industry lies in the ability to fly Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). This is especially true for long-range missions with significant data collection requirements like asset inspection, reconnaissance, and search and rescue. BVLOS capabilities will allow the businesses to cover more ground within a shorter period, thus significantly improving ROI for commercial operators.

What rules do I need to follow to fly BVLOS?

To conduct commercial BVLOS operations in the U.S., businesses must first obtain a waiver under Part 107 from the FAA (107.31). To be granted a waiver, operators need to show the FAA that their missions can be conducted safely without endangering other aircraft or people and property on the ground. The FAA also requires that:

(a) With vision that is unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, the remote pilot in command, the visual observer (if one is used), and the personmanipulating the flight control of the small unmanned aircraft system must be able to see the unmanned aircraft throughout the entire flight in order to:

(1) Know the unmanned aircraft’s location;

(2) Determine the unmanned aircraft’s attitude, altitude, and direction of flight;

(3) Observe the airspace for other air traffic or hazards; and

(4) Determine that the unmanned aircraft does not endanger the life or property of another.

Most operators achieve this by having a visual observer (VO) maintain visual contact with the drone or by utilizing detect-and-avoid technology onboard — for instance, the Iris Automation Casia system. Once the waiver is granted, the operator would be able to fly their drone beyond the VLOS of the Remote Pilot in Command.

The waiver process has multiple components, including:

1. Determining that the operator has sufficient risk mitigation strategies and procedures in place

2. Demonstrating that appropriate technology will be used and finally that the operators have been sufficiently trained to conduct safe operations BVLOS.

To learn more, please visit: faa.gov