The FAA has further accelerated the expansion of drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) by granting two additional companies the green light for BVLOS activities.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has further accelerated the expansion of drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) by granting two additional companies the green light for BVLOS activities. UPS Flight Forward, with its Matternet M2 drone, has received approval for small package deliveries, while uAvionix, utilizing its Rapace platform, will leverage the Vantis Network to test its detect and avoid technology. This milestone follows the FAA’s recent authorization of Phoenix Air Unmanned to conduct BVLOS operations with SwissDrones SVO 50 V2 drones for a range of purposes, including aerial work, photography, surveys, powerline inspections, and pipeline patrols.
The FAA’s decision to grant these BVLOS approvals is part of its commitment to developing standardized rules that can make BVLOS operations a routine, scalable, and economically viable facet of the drone industry. The agency is actively working on establishing a framework that can facilitate BVLOS operations safely and efficiently.
In this context, the FAA established the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee in June 2021. This committee is tasked with providing safety recommendations to the FAA, playing a crucial role in shaping the regulatory landscape for BVLOS operations. The FAA is currently reviewing the final report submitted by this committee, reflecting its commitment to leveraging the expertise of industry stakeholders in creating comprehensive BVLOS regulations.
The FAA’s overarching goal is the seamless integration of drones into the National Airspace System (NAS), avoiding the creation of separate airspace exclusively for drones. This approach aligns with the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 and the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016. The 2016 Act mandated the FAA, in collaboration with NASA, to continue developing a plan for Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM), a critical component in the efforts to integrate drones into the NAS.
These authorizations for BVLOS operations mark significant steps towards unlocking the full potential of drones in various industries, including logistics and technology. As BVLOS operations become more commonplace, they promise to enhance efficiency and drive innovation across sectors while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
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The data collected from these BVLOS operations will play a pivotal role in informing the FAA’s ongoing policy and rulemaking endeavors, ensuring that the integration of drones into the NAS is conducted safely and efficiently. These developments represent a dynamic shift in the drone industry, paving the way for enhanced capabilities and expanded use cases, ultimately benefiting society, businesses, and consumers alike.
