U.K. Regulator Approves BVLOS Drone Trial for sees.ai

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the U.K. has granted approval to sees.ai, a local startup, to conduct trials of a beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) command & control system. This solution is designed to facilitate data acquisition for various industrial applications. This authorization marks the first instance of such permission being issued to a U.K.-based company, as announced by the regulator today.

Sandbox Program and Initial Testing

The testing will occur within a sandbox program, initially unveiled in May 2019. This program directs government funding and provides regulatory assistance to research and development initiatives within the drone sector. Early phases of the program involved virtual testing, including assessments of avoid and detect technologies.

Authorization for Routine BVLOS Operations

Sees.ai, a participant in the sandbox from its inception, has now received authorization to test a concept for routine BVLOS operations across three physical locations. This approval eliminates the need for pre-authorization for each individual flight.

Focus on Industrial Drone Applications

The Techstars-supported startup concentrates on drone operations within industrial environments. Their technology aims to expand the utilization of drones for inspection and maintenance tasks in sectors like oil & gas. This is achieved by enabling pilots to remotely control drones from a centralized hub, rather than requiring on-site presence for every flight.

Importance of BVLOS for Wider Drone Use

It is evident that BVLOS capabilities are crucial for broader applications of drone technology, such as delivery services. Consequently, the CAA has characterized the trial as a noteworthy advancement for the drone industry.

Phased Approach to Safety Validation

“The company intends to demonstrate the safety of its system within industrial settings initially,” the CAA stated. “Subsequently, sees.ai plans to extend testing to encompass increasingly complex missions over time.”

Current U.K. Drone Regulations

Existing U.K. regulations mandate that drone operators maintain visual line of sight with their aircraft and adhere to the country’s drone code, unless specific permissions are obtained.

Previous BVLOS Permissions – Amazon

Previously, Amazon, a U.S. technology corporation, secured permission for BVLOS drone testing in the U.K. in 2016. The company continues to develop a commercial drone delivery service, branded as Prime Air.

Challenges in Scaling Drone Delivery

Amazon’s efforts have been ongoing for several years, with experiments dating back to 2013. Reports from last year, citing a Prime Air source, suggest that achieving drone deliveries at scale remains “years” away. Therefore, despite this new U.K. trial, expectations for widespread drone deliveries in the near future are likely unrealistic.

Initial Trial Parameters – EVLOS

The CAA authorization permits the sees.ai trial flights to operate below 150 ft. Initially, an observer will be required to maintain visual line of sight with the aircraft and be capable of communicating with the remote pilot if necessary.

Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS)

Technically, the trials will commence as extended-line-of-sight (EVLOS) operations. This entails limitations compared to true BVLOS, allowing flights beyond 500 metres from the remote pilot using flight observers, but not entirely eliminating on-site observers – a key industry objective. Update: The CAA has confirmed that the observer requirement will be reassessed and potentially removed if the trials demonstrate the concept’s viability. They also clarified that the spotter doesn’t need constant communication with the pilot, only the ability to contact them when needed.

Regulatory Roadmap for BVLOS

A regulatory roadmap published by the CAA last fall outlined the numerous steps required to achieve “business as usual” BVLOS operations in non-segregated airspace. This suggests a lengthy process before commercial drones can legally operate remotely for data collection or delivery.

CAA’s Vision for BVLOS Integration

“The long-term goal of operators is to integrate BVLOS operations as a standard practice throughout the U.K.,” the CAA roadmap notes. “Realizing this vision necessitates substantial evidence, experience, and learning from all stakeholders. Continuous iteration – building, testing, learning, and repeating – will be essential for both innovators and the CAA to progress towards this goal.”

Sees.ai CEO’s Statement

John McKenna, CEO of sees.ai, described the trial authorization as a “significant milestone.” He added, “We are accelerating towards a future where drones fly autonomously at scale – high up alongside manned aviation and low down inside our industrial sites, suburbs and cities. Securing this UK-first permission is a major step on this journey which will deliver big benefits to society across public health & safety, efficiency and environmental impact.”