Soaring Beyond the Horizon: Decoding BVLOS Drone Flight Approvals and Regulations
Hey fellow drone enthusiasts! As a gearhead who spends as much time tinkering in my workshop as I do in the air, I know how thrilling it is to push the boundaries of what our rigs can do. Recently, I’ve been diving deep into the fascinating world of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations and all the legal hoops we have to jump through to get there. This isn’t just about flying further for the sake of it; BVLOS unlocks possibilities for more efficient inspections, precise surveying, and even long-range deliveries. We’re talking game-changing stuff here! This page is your go-to source for unpacking the complexities of BVLOS Drone Flight, specifically focusing on FAA approvals in the US and the regulations in the EU. Forget dry legal jargon, we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty with these insights drawn directly from leading YouTube channels covering real-world drone developments. Get ready to expand your aerial horizons!
Key Takeaways from the Airwaves
FAA Authorizes Commercial BVLOS: Major news! The FAA has approved its first commercial BVLOS operation without requiring a visual observer on site. Zipline and Wing Aviation are leading the charge, utilizing Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems to share flight paths with other airspace users. This paves the way for more routine BVLOS applications once a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) is released.
"Countering CCP Drones Act" Amendment: A proposed amendment to the NDAA could significantly impact our hobby and drone industries by revoking FCC approvals for DJI and Autel products, essentially banning new products from these manufacturers. The legislation is controversial, and now is a great time to contact representatives to voice an opinion about it.
Category 2 Drone Approvals: The DJI Matrice 3D and 3DT have received Category 2 & 3 certifications, allowing operations over people when coupled with an approved parachute system. It also brings DJI’s dock operations to the forefront, requiring even more diligence about meeting operational rules and legal standards.
DJI Dock 2 and BVLOS Operations: DJI is clearly positioning its Dock 2 system as a critical component for streamlined BVLOS operations and compliance, especially when using a "drone in a box" for various purposes like surveying and infrastructure inspections. Companies like DJI Telink are exploring its potential in conjunction with remote flights in locations where compliance is often the greatest challenge.
EU’s SORA Process: Navigating BVLOS regulations in Europe requires an understanding of the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) process. DJI is providing extensive documentation to facilitate application for those regulations.
Safety is Paramount: Whether you are focusing on obtaining an FAA waiver or understanding EU’s SORA process, you must emphasize strict safety protocols and thoroughly document these to support waiver and application approvals, including using visual observers, creating a shielded operation or employing detect and avoid systems when appropriate.
Charting a Path to BVLOS Possibilities
One of the key trends that emerges is the increasing convergence of drone technology, regulatory processes, and real-world applications. The FAA’s approval for commercial BVLOS operations signifies that the agency is committed to finding a place for drones to fill gaps in the national air space. It also underscores the growing sophistication of Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems, which are rapidly becoming crucial for BVLOS drone integration into the skies. The ongoing work towards an NPRM suggests we’re not far from normalized BVLOS, and those who are working now toward developing safe operating systems will benefit the most from this. Additionally, drone dock technology, like DJI’s Dock 2, is proving essential to streamlining operational workflows as drone pilots continue to pursue more applications that increase the value of their work.
Next Steps: Soar Into More Information
The world of BVLOS drone flight is dynamic and constantly evolving. To stay ahead of the curve, dive into the videos below for a visual demonstration of all the above topics. These video clips from industry leaders are rich in both information and insight! Learn how to navigate through complicated FAA and EU BVLOS regulations, and better equip yourself for the rapidly evolving world of aerial flight!
View the videos just below
Drone News: Drone Ban CCP Update, 1st Cat 2 Drone, New DJI Model, & FAA Authorizes Commercial BVLOSPilot Institute29,423 views | 1,116 | August 2 2024 12:00:08 (115 comments)[ Read more … ]
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 4 stories for you, Countering CCP Drones Act Update, First Category 2 Drone, a brand new DJI drone model and the FAA authorizes commercial BVLOS flights without a visual observer.
00:00 Introduction
00:19 Drone Ban CCP and NDAA
01:14 First Category 2 Drone
02:10 New DJI Model
02:57 FAA Authorizes Commercial BVLOS Without VO
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First up, a new senate amendment to the 2025 NDAA hopes to add the Countering CCP Drones Act.
If enacted, the countering CCP language would revoke all FCC approvals for DJI and Autel products, effectively banning new mo dels and grounding current fleets.
The NDAA still has to be voted on by the Senate, but the addition of the Countering CCP language would align the House of Representatives NDAA bill and the Senate bill on the issue.
Now is a great time to reach out to your representatives and senators as we near the election to let them know this language would devastate our industry and reduce Public Safety’s ability to effectively save lives.
We’ll update you as this progresses.
Next up, the first Category 2 Drone has hit the DOC List!
The DJI Matrice 3D and 3DT are now approved for operations over people under categories 2 and 3 using the AVSS parachute system!
If you’re unfamiliar with the Matrice 3D, it’s DJI’s Dock 2 aircraft.
Both of the Matrice 3D and 3DT are variable categories between cat 2 and cat 3 depending on the winds.
More approvals should begin to hit the DOC list as AVSS tests more parachutes!
Next, there are some DJI leaks for a new drone!
The DJI Neo hit the FCC database this week, showing a 2S, 1435mAh battery.
According to DroneXL, DJI follows a “30% Rule” in battery to drone weight, suggesting the drone will weigh about 170g.
Leaked pictures also show a possible prototype similar to a DJI Mini-series drone.
Currently, there are no leaked specs for the drone and we can’t verify the leaked images are indeed of this model.
We’ll keep you updated when we see more!
Last up, the FAA has finally authorized the first commercial drone operation beyond visual line of sight without using a visual observer. The approval goes to Zipline and Wing Aviation. I’m guessing this is an approval without a waiver under part 135 since other operators have been able to do this under part 107 waivers.
The FAA stated that companies are sharing planned flight routes with other authorized airspace users by using Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems.
We are still expecting to see a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) later this year that would normalize BVLOS operations for drones.
Finally, a quick Community update. We have our July Drone photo contest winner! This month’s winner is Derek Paulsen, with his photo of a “Beautiful Mountain Lake Outside Glacier National Park”. Congratulations to Derek, who will receive a custom made pilot institute trophy and a $250 gift card. We’ll have another contest in August, so stay tuned for those details.
That’s it for now, have a great weekend, and we’ll see you on Monday for the Live!
Learn how to automate stockpile assessments while applying BVLOS regulations. @djitelink363DJI Enterprise3,638 views | 190 | August 19 2024 13:00:04 (0 comments)[ Read more … ]
Simplify and automate your stockpile measurement tasks with the DJI Dock 2. Easily schedule remote data collection flights, and seamlessly upload the data to DJI FlightHub 2 or your preferred Earthwork Software for real-time project progress tracking.
Check out the full video produced by our partner from Czech Republic DJI TELINK to see how the DJI Dock 2 is transported to the site by FlyCart30, used for stockpile assessments, and how BVLOS regulations are applied in the process.
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Automation, Dock 2, FlyCart 30, Large Drones, Short, Video, Learning, 101
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Navigating FAA Regulations for BVLOS: Essential Insights for DJI Dock 2 Remote OperationsDJI Enterprise1,844 views | 52 | October 16 2024 12:00:16 (4 comments)[ Read more … ]
Welcome to our in-depth exploration of U.S. regulations for dock operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). In this video, we aim to clarify the complexities surrounding BVLOS operations and provide you with essential insights into the regulatory landscape.
What You Will Learn:
– FAA Regulatory Overview: We will break down the key regulations established by the FAA that govern BVLOS operations, ensuring you have a clear understanding of what is required.
– Understanding BVLOS Waiver Types: We’ll discuss the different types of waivers available for BVLOS operations, helping you determine which may be applicable to your needs.
– Safety Protocols for Waiver Submission: Safety is paramount. We will explain the safety considerations involved in submitting a waiver and how to meet these requirements effectively.
– Support from DJI: Navigating regulations can be challenging. To help you accelerate the preparation of your BVLOS waiver, we offer streamlined templates through our channel partners.
Not sure which BVLOS application method is right for you? Take our quick survey to get tailored solutions and supporting documents. 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wMF0B
Learn more about DJI Dock 2 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wNOBK
Contact us: https://brnw.ch/21wNSYe
00:00-1:29 Intro
1:30-2:05 Regulation Overview
2:06-2:28 BVLOS Waiver Types
2:29-4:01 Visual Observer on Site
4:02-5:47 Shielded Operations
5:48-7:33 Detect and Avoid System
7:34-9:39 Waiver Safety Explanation
9:39-11:20 Summary
Understanding EU Drone Regulations: DJI Dock 2 Compliance Guide #dji #dock2 #BVLOSDJI Enterprise1,660 views | 69 | September 26 2024 10:30:15 (5 comments)[ Read more … ]
Join us as we cover the essentials of dock-related regulations in Europe. Here are the main topics of the video:
– European Regulation Brief: Get an overview of the current drone regulations impacting dock operations in the EU.
– What is SORA: Learn about the Specific Operations Risk Assessment process and how it applies to your drone missions.
– Documentation Support from DJI: Discover the resources and documentation DJI provides to help your application more easily.
Take our quick survey to receive tailored solutions and supporting documents! 👉https://brnw.ch/21wMF0B
0:00 Overview
0:52 European Regulation Brief
2:03 What is SORA
3:40 Documentation Support from DJI
DJI Drone in a Box M30T BVLOS launchFlying With Jase4,317 views | 47 | July 3 2024 09:52:08 (2 comments)[ Read more … ]
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DJI Drone In a Box 1 BVLOS launch (M30-T)Flying With Jase940 views | 5 | July 2 2024 09:53:49 (1 comments)[ Read more … ]
Launching a DJI Drone in a Box (an M30T) from a remote location for a BVLOS mission. This is all you would see at the launch location.
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About the Author
Patryk Alexander is an associate copy editor at 4kVideoDrones.com, where he sharpens articles and helps keep the website's content clean and error-free. With a background in creative writing, Patryk brings a unique perspective to his editing that helps make 4kVideoDrones.com's content engaging and informative. When he's not editing or writing, Patryk enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the great outdoors.
