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Over the last five years the rate of improvement in drone and payload technology has moved the needle of what is possible in aerial asset inspections and surveys. There are now drones, such as the Sifly, or the hydrogen-powered Intelligent Energy Gryphon, capable of flying for hours, not just minutes, while capturing all manner of data, from incredibly high resolution imagery to LiDAR, to methane levels and even some capable of measuring the integrity of metal surfaces.
These new technological capabilities open the door to new ways of working with drones. The improvements in drone endurance means flights are no longer limited by short battery life. Far more can be achieved in a single flight, without the wasted time of landing to change batteries every 30 minutes. As the drone inspection industry moves forward, these advantages will be leveraged to maximize the value and efficiency of drone operations.
Drones now have the capability to inspect assets, collect data, and monitor operations over longer time periods and far greater distances, but that’s not the end of the story. There are still limits placed on drone operations by regulatory bodies such as the FAA in the US, and the CAA in the UK.
One such restriction is regulation around flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). In simple terms, BVLOS means flying a drone beyond the point where the pilot or spotter can keep it in direct sight.
For commercial organizations the ability to fly BVLOS opens the door to better utilizing the full capability of drones for inspecting long infrastructure routes, monitoring remote facilities, and conducting wide area surveys.
Why BVLOS Matters
Conventional drone operations are often restricted by the need to keep the aircraft within visual range. This imposes fundamental limits to the efficiency of operations, as pilots need to frequently land and relocate to maintain sufficient line of sight. Wide area operations may require several launch points and assets in remote or challenging terrains can involve lengthy travel times just to complete a short flight.
However, with the right technology, and the ability to fly BVLOS, a drone can cover larger areas in a single mission and gather data far more efficiently.
For those implementing BVLOS effectively, that means faster inspections, lower operating costs, more frequent monitoring of critical assets and better access to remote or difficult terrain.
For asset owners, the value delivered by BVLOS flight can bring a step change in operational efficiency and the quality and frequency of insights into asset health.
Where BVLOS can make the difference
BVLOS is particularly useful anywhere assets are spread across long distances or difficult environments, for example:
Power Networks |
Utility companies can inspect overhead lines, identify vegetation encroachment, and assess network conditions more efficiently than sending teams across multiple locations. |
Pipelines and Linear Infrastructure |
Long routes that traditionally require vehicles, foot patrols, or crewed aircraft can often be monitored faster using drones. |
Renewable Energy |
Wind farms and large solar developments can benefit from more frequent inspections and faster fault identification. |
Rail and Transport Corridors |
Operators can monitor routes, structures, access points, and surrounding conditions without repeated mobilization of ground teams. |
Remote Industrial Sites |
Substations, telecom towers, storage facilities, and isolated operational sites can be inspected without unnecessary travel. |
What are the challenges to implementing BVLOS operations?
From a regulatory perspective, obtaining the necessary permissions to operate BVLOS can be time consuming and expensive, which can be a barrier to scaling this type of capability. Limiting BVLOS permissions to very specific locations can also hamper growth and speed of adoption.
Evolving regulatory concepts such as shielding (using proximity to terrain or physical objects to minimize the risk of interaction between manned aircraft and drones) have simplified the requirements to operate BVLOS.
With regard to technology, challenges in obstacle detection and avoidance, and robust long-range command and control links remain. In many instances, successfully obtaining BVLOS permissions is as much about demonstrating safety and compliance with this technology as it is the capability to fly BVLOS.
Our BVLOS permissions
Cyberhawk has a long track record of obtaining cutting edge permissions in the US, UK, and Europe. By adopting an incremental approach to demonstrating robust procedures, technical capability and comprehensive safety management oversight, we have been able to obtain some of the first BVLOS permissions of their type.
Cyberhawk currently holds BVLOS permissions for long linear inspections in the US and UK and close visual inspection of distribution poles in the US. In the next year or so we expect to successfully obtain further permissions for remote operation of drone-in-a-box technology (US and UK), expand the areas for long linear BVLOS inspections in the UK, and widen our systems capabilities long linear BVLOS inspections in the US.
The Future of BVLOS
Rather than seeing drones as occasional tools, organizations are now looking at them as part of mainstream operations. BVLOS is expected to accelerate this, as drones become a normal part of industrial inspections, remote monitoring, and infrastructure management.
For companies responsible for large or remote asset networks, the opportunity is clear: lower costs, safer operations, and better visibility across critical infrastructure.
Whether you are considering inspections, surveys, or a wider drone program, starting with the right use case can make all the difference.
If you are interested in how BVLOS flight could benefit your operations, reach out to us for a conversation on how we can help you achieve your business goals.