UK Approves BVLOS Drone Flights Over Infrastructure Across The UK Rail Network.
UK Approves BVLOS Drone Flights Over Infrastructure – UK Civil Aviation Authority has approved operational authority for provider Drone Major to conduct the country’s first beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights over critical infrastructure – initial deployments will see long-range patrols of the UK rail network.
Network Rail funded the project, which includes upcoming trials over a 12 km route between Wolverhampton and Sandwell and Dudley Station. The same technology has previously been tested south-east of Wolverhampton station and along the Severn Valley Railway. The system uses a digital tethering setup that combines onboard and ground-based navigation and safety components for positioning in GPS-compromised areas.
The BVLOS approval applies to sites designated as critical national infrastructure and could extend to other sectors, including energy, utilities and more. The development highlights the untapped capability of surveillance drones to deliver situational awareness to security management and response teams.
In Australia, infrastructure overflight is not permitted by default. Under CASA’s CASR Part 101, flights over critical infrastructure typically require explicit authorisation. Operators must obtain permissions, usually via ReOC certification or NOTAM-based approvals, to conduct drone operations.
You can read more Drone Major here – there’s more SEN news here.
“UK Approves BVLOS Drone Flights Over Infrastructure Across The UK Rail Network.”
