In this article, we are going to explain what is the difference between VLSO, EVLOS and BLOS with visual examples.
In the realm of unmanned aviation, understanding the acronyms VLOS, EVLOS, and BVLOS is essential, especially for newcomers to the industry.
These terms delineate different levels of visual contact between the drone pilot and the drone itself during flight operations, each carrying its own set of procedures and considerations.
What is Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)?
A VLOS drone flight entails the pilot maintaining visual contact with the drone throughout the entirety of the flight without relying on any visual aids. The maximum visibility range is influenced by factors such as drone size, color, environmental conditions, weather, and time of day. Typically, the drone remains visible to the naked eye within a range of around 500 meters. During VLOS drone operations, the pilot maintains control of the drone and remains vigilant to potential hazards like other aircraft, obstacles, or nearby individuals.
What is Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS)?
In an EVLOS drone operation, the pilot lacks direct visual contact with the drone. Instead, one or more trained airspace observers assist the pilot, usually through radio communication. This setup ensures continuous awareness of airspace conditions, with the pilot retaining direct control over the drone. Effective communication among all parties involved is crucial. Observers maintain visual contact with the drone throughout the flight, communicating with the pilot and issuing alerts when necessary. Technical solutions, such as First Person View (FPV) devices, may also be employed to provide live camera feeds of the surroundings. Regulations governing EVLOS flights vary by country and flight purpose, requiring operators to obtain permissions and adhere to safety protocols for low-risk operations.
What is Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)?
BVLOS represents the extension of EVLOS, wherein drone missions occur beyond the direct visual range of the remote pilot. This entails relinquishing the protection of pilot or observer oversight, necessitating meticulous planning as the drone operates autonomously. BVLOS operations offer opportunities for large-scale commercial drone applications, such as inspecting linear infrastructure like power lines along railways, which are inaccessible under VLOS or EVLOS constraints.
Regulatory considerations for BVLOS operations are stringent in many countries due to safety concerns, given the nascent stage of the drone industry. Obtaining approval for BVLOS operations involves presenting comprehensive safety cases to aviation authorities, outlining protocols to mitigate risks during flight.
Partnering with us means accessing the benefits of Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS) operations, allowing you to cover larger distances without the complexities associated with Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This streamlines your operations, ensuring efficiency, reduced costs, and regulatory compliance.
RemSense has received approval/ instrument from CASA to carry out EVLOS RPAS operations for the following RPA (remotely piloted aircraft);
- RPA Multi-rotor (up to 25kg)
- RPA Multi-rotor (Medium) – (FreeFly ALTA X (MTOW up to 34.9kg))
- RPA Powered Lift (up to 7kg)
- RPA Aeroplane (up to 7kg) .
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