Canada's Latest BVLOS Approval, Limitless Drone Possibilities?
As reported by Dronelife, Percepto, a leading provider of autonomous inspection and monitoring solutions, announced that its Percepto Air Max drone-in-a-box solution has been approved by Transport Canada for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operation by Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) at McConnell Lake Control Dam. This is the first time in Canada that BVLOS operation will not require the presence of a visual observer on site. The Percepto Air Max was issued a BVLOS Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) by Rocky Mountain Unmanned Systems and their GM Kevin Toderal to conduct remote inspections in a pilot project beginning this month. This new announcement follows the company’s recent achievement of a U.S. nationwide BVLOS waiver, enabling qualified customers to immediately receive actionable insights from remotely operated drones. This is a significant milestone in Canada to provide remote and autonomous inspections at power generating facilities, fulfilling Percepto’s mission to provide safe and reliable critical infrastructure.
While this news may not seem like a big deal on its own, it is a significant first step towards the possibility of more routine BVLOS operations in Canada. This means that we are closer to having more opportunities to fly our drones out of sight in lightly populated areas for activities such as landscape imagery or real estate listings or anything really.
However, it's important to note that BVLOS operations are already possible in Canada, but they require a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) each time and the use of visual observers during the flight. This can be a significant barrier for pilots and businesses looking to utilize drones for various applications, from recreational use to commercial and industrial operations.
It's also important to note that the ability to conduct BVLOS operations will largely depend on population densities. But the problem with this approach is that population densities are averages, and there may be areas with lower population densities that still pose a risk to manned aircraft. Read more about the problem with this approach in another blog on Propstrike.net.
It's also interesting that this approval seems to apply to the drone and the company or operator. This could mean that in the future, the ability to conduct routine BVLOS may also rely on drone model specific safety declarations rather than, or in conjunction with, pilot certificate levels.
As we look towards the future of more routine and general BVLOS operations in Canada, it's crucial for drone pilots and businesses to educate themselves on the current regulations and guidelines. The Transport Canada website provides all the information on how to fly BVLOS now and how to prepare for future developments. You can check this link to Transport Canada for more details.
Overall, the Percepto news is a positive step towards making BVLOS operations more accessible for recreational and commercial drone pilots and businesses alike. We are excited to see what the future holds for drone operations in Canada, and we encourage all pilots and businesses to stay informed and prepare for the possibilities that lie ahead.