Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Ops - the way forward for successful commercial drone operations

Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations are touted to be the next big advancement that would ensure an effective and successful unmanned aircraft system (UAS) industry, especially commercial UAS operations.

Most commercial UAS operations today are conducted under 14 CFR Part 107, highlighting limitations on minimizing air and ground risks. A maximum altitude of 400 ft AGL, visual line of sight of the aircraft and operations only during the day are some of the limitations outlined and a recent rule allowing limited operations over people.

Representative | Unmanned Systems Technology

The ability to fly drones Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) represents the next ample opportunity for commercial drone operators. Most commercial drone applications are poised to benefit immensely from BVLOS  while some applications would remain impossible to execute without BVLOS.

It is also to be noted that BVLOS operations are prohibited at the moment unless special permissions are obtained from the concerned regulations.

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS), Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS) and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) etc are some of the commonly used terms within the drone industry. So, what exactly do they mean?

VLOS (Visual Line of Sight)

ScaleFlyt

Visual Line of Sight (‘VLOS’) operations are a type of UAS operation in which the remote pilot maintains continuous, unaided visual contact with the unmanned aircraft.

The person operating the drone UAV needs to maintain a visual line of sight with the aircraft at all times, be able to see the surrounding airspace in which the aircraft is operating and operate the aircraft below the cloud base or fog, or smoke etc. In other words, the aircraft must always be visible to the pilot. 

The Regulations in the UK and Europe create an offence to operate an Unmanned Aircraft outside of permitted rules and procedures- a breach of which could carry significant penalties.

EVLOS (Extended Visual Line of Sight)

Mode of operation where a pilot is always present on a location with one or more external observers keeping the UAV in their line of sight.

Representative | Airborne Drones

These observers communicate critical flight information through radio to assist the pilot in maintaining a safe distance from other air users, both manned and unmanned, as well as structures, terrain and other hazards.

BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight)

In BVLOS, the UAV is allowed to operate away from the visual range, based on instrumentation such as onboard cameras and detect-and-avoid technologies.

In this mode of operation, the aircraft no longer has the protection of the pilot or observer to avoid terrain, obstacles or other aircraft (called ‘See and Avoid’ or ‘Detect and Avoid’ (DAA)).

BVLOS Ops require meticulous planning by the operator with a definite framework process in place with most Aviation Authorities.

In May 2020, the SOARIZON by Thales team collaborated with drone deliveries provider Skyports, to perform a ground-breaking, first of kind, BVLOS medical drone delivery trial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBr-_TTjBX4&t=91s

This trial has proven tangible, real-world, value to the NHS, during its most challenging time in living memory.  We have proven that by working collaboratively with the Government and Regulator that BVLOS drone services can be conducted in a safe and secure method and applied to time-critical use-cases across a number of sectors.  We are looking forward to continuing to develop the service and capability to define future serviceKarim Cosslett, Head of Growth, SOARIZON by THALES

BVLOS is also crucial to operating at a higher aircraft-to-pilot ratio, which is an essential economic component of the future feasibility of the industry.

Existing rules basically don’t fit the requirements for full implementation of commercial UAS capabilities. The current regulations still limit UAS use casessaid Jon Damush, CEO of Iris Automation, Inc., a safety avionics technology company pioneering detect-and-avoid systems and aviation policy services

The FAA was scheduled to hold a public meeting on UAS BVLOS on June 22 through its YouTube channel and Facebook page to provide the public with an opportunity to submit written comments or request a timeslot to provide oral comments.

Currently, BVLOS operations are trapped in a regulatory Catch-22. Data must show BVLOS operations can be conducted safely in order to operate, but the only way to obtain that data at scale is to allow BVLOS operations to occurJON HANLON, Director of UAS Maintenance and Airworthiness, Zipline

The way forward should be to leverage the value of what already exists – 100 years of commercial aviation experience while finding pragmatic approaches to enable UAS operators to begin BVLOS quickly-he added further.

The Indian Scenario

The Ministry of Civil Aviation replaced the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Rules 2021 last year and although the rules were liberalised, they didn't open up to BVLOS or “beyond visual line of sight” drone operations.

Before BVLOS operations begin formally, a UTM policy will have to be in place- UTM, an acronym for "Unmanned Traffic Management"- basically an air traffic management system for drones, except that it is an automated tool so that they can communicate while in flight.

Representative | Airosspace

The operating drones must be connected to the internet at all times to ensure that UTMs work accurately. The connection to the internet can happen in three different ways - on a 4G network or an unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequency band.

Some notable BVLOS trials

In May of 2021, the Government of Telangana received a conditional exemption for conducting experimental BVLOS drone flights for the delivery of vaccinesThe National Health Mission, Mumbai, received a conditional exemption for conducting experimental BVLOS drone flights to deliver essential healthcare items in tribal areas of Jawhar in the Palghar district of MaharashtraLed by Throttle Aerospace Systems in collaboration with the Bengaluru-based e-commerce platform Udaan and under the supervision of the DGCA, a BVLOS trial for drone delivery of medicines was successfully completed in Bengaluru ( 20 August 2021)

BVLOS trials will help create a framework for future drone deliveries and other major applications using dronesThe Ministry of Civil Aviation

On successful completion of the BVLOS project with regards to safety, security, and viability, the restrictive clauses on these Ops may be lifted.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Aviation Today

Volkswagen Group China has unveiled its first electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) passenger drone prototype, as part of its strategy to explore and break new ground in fully electric and sustainable individual mobility concepts.

Volkswagen Newsroom

The prototype is the culmination of intensive research, conceptual work, and development of the Vertical Mobility project launched in 2020 by Volkswagen Group China. The initial prototype, nicknamed the "Flying Tiger"- due to its distinctive black and gold livery painted to commemorate its launch in the Year of the Tiger, would be the company's first validation model.

The V.MO eVTOL

Based on existing autonomous driving solutions and battery technology for emission-free mobility, the concept features a luxury x-wing configuration of 11.2m in length and a span width of 10.6m.

Volkswagen Newsroom

The prototype has eight rotors for vertical lift and two propellers for horizontal flight The Group will conduct several flight tests later this year to optimize the concept and an improved prototype will undergo further advanced test flights by late summer 2023.

The final version of the fully electric and automated eVTOL could eventually carry four passengers plus luggage over a distance of up to 200km.

Through this pilot project, we are bringing Volkswagen’s long tradition of precision engineering, design, and innovation to the next level, by developing a premium product that will serve the vertical mobility needs of our future tech savvy Chinese customers. This is a pioneering project which our young team of Chinese experts started from scratch – they are working with new design concepts and materials while developing new safety standards, disrupting and innovating every step of the way. The launch of this stunning validation model – the V.MO – is the first of many remarkable milestones on our exciting journey towards urban air travel, and a perfect example of our ‘From China, For China’ mission. Our long-term aim is to industrialize this concept and, like a ‘Flying Tiger’, break new ground in this emerging and fast-evolving new mobility marketDr. Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Group China, said

Stephan Wöllenstein | Source

Volkswagen Group China is rapidly expanding local R&D and software expertise to respond faster to what customers want and significantly accelerate the pace of innovation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5mLYrUyg1M

In the first phase of its commercial use, V.MO is likely to be pitched as a premium product for high-net-worth tech-savvy Chinese customers-for example for VIP air shuttle services. eVTOL air vehicles will be able to transport passengers more quickly and efficiently than current conventional means of terrestrial transport and with greater flexibility. As the Vertical Mobility project develops, Volkswagen Group China will work with the relevant Chinese authorities to achieve certification.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Volkswagen Newsroom

Boeing Co. received preliminary US regulatory clearance to restart deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner aircraft, paving the way for the end of a drought that drained cash and dented the planemaker’s reputation for quality. 

The Federal Aviation Administration approved Boeing’s plans to inspect and repair tiny manufacturing flaws in the Dreamliner’s carbon-composite frame. The jet manufacturer had largely halted deliveries since late 2020 as its engineers found improperly filled gaps in about 20 locations.

The jet manufacturer had largely halted deliveries since late 2020.

The FAA agreement is a milestone for the company, but it won’t immediately resume sales. Boeing must still make required fixes and get FAA inspectors to approve each aircraft, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information hasn’t been publicly announced. While the timing of delivery resumptions remains unclear, the company is aiming to begin in the week of August 8.

A total of 120 of the jets, which retail for as much as USD 338 million, had been constructed but were parked and waiting for the FAA’s approval to resume sales to customers such as American Airlines Group Inc., according to Boeing.  

"We will continue to work transparently with the FAA and our customers towards resuming 787 deliveries."Boeing said in an e-mailed statement. 

The chief problem for the 787 had been how the plane’s carbon-fibre fuselage sections were joined, which didn’t meet Boeing’s design specifications but wasn’t deemed to be a safety hazard.

The resumption of shipments will mark a financial turnaround for Boeing.

The locations where parts of the plane are joined must meet precise standards down to a small fraction of an inch. There are questions about the inspection process used to check that work.

The company said it has been working with the FAA on the problem and identified a way to fix the 787s that haven't yet been delivered to customers. Boeing said 787 planes already in service do not need to be grounded.

The FAA agreed, saying it is aware of a manufacturing quality issue, and it "poses no immediate threat to flight safety."

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Akasa Air seems to have piqued the interest of many customers who are willing to give the airline a try for their upcoming travel plans. A quick scan of its official website reveals that only one of two flights (with a 14:05 departure time) between Mumbai and Ahmedabad on August 7th is available for booking. The inaugural flight, which departs at 10:05 in the morning, is completely booked.

The airline seems to have no trouble selling tickets for its initial flights.

Akasa’s first flight being sold out is not entirely surprising, given its marketing campaign of providing a different product, an uptick in travel, and a general curiosity among the flying public to try a different airline.

We won’t be surprised if the first few flights are also taken by general aviation enthusiasts and aviation vloggers, given the hype Akasa has generated over the last few months.

It looks like the airline is establishing its presence in primarily big cities as of now and will start deploying planes to tier-2 and 3 towns once it settles down on these key routes.

 If Akasa can sustain enough buzz, it could achieve decent load factors for its first few days of flying.

It is also waiting for more planes to join its fleet as the two Boeing 737 MAX planes currently can only take on so much. But all that should change once it starts receiving 2 planes a month in the coming weeks.

India’s startup airline is off to a good start, generating enough interest from potential customers for good first-week bookings. The airline will take the plunge on August 7th, entering into the highly competitive Indian aviation sector, competing with established players such as IndiGo.

"We kick-start operations with flights between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with the brand-new Boeing 737 Max aircraft.We will adopt a phased approach to support our network expansion plans, progressively connecting more cities, as we add two aircraft to our fleet each month, in our first year."Praveen Iyer, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air

ALSO READ - Akasa Air gets Air Operator Certificate from DGCA

The carrier received its air operator certificate (AOC) from aviation regulator DGCA on July 7. With the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) giving green light to Max planes in August 2021, Akasa Air signed a deal with Boeing on November 26 last year to purchase 72 Max aircraft. 

ALSO READ - Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s Akasa Air signs deal for 72 Boeing 737 Max planes

The maiden flight trials of the LCA Tejas MK-1A (Light Combat Aircraft Mark-1A) have been started from the first week of May, said sources in the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) associated with the project. LCA Mk-1A is an upgraded version of the LCA Mk-1. LCA Mk-1 reached Full Operational Capability (FOC) in 2020.

The LCA Tejas is a fly-by-wire (FBW) fighter with the ability to refuel in the air. It has a glass cockpit and a satellite-assisted inertial navigation system, making it a fourth-generation fighter.

HAL will try to deliver all 10 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas aircraft by this year.

It can transport air-to-ground bombs and attack systems that can be used to strike targets on land or at sea. It’s a supersonic combat jet with a 50,000-foot service ceiling. Its wingspan is 8.20 meters, its length is 13.20 meters, and its height is 4.40 meters.

HAL had earlier agreed to pay USD 716 million to GE Aviation for 99 F404 aircraft engines and related services to power the indigenous Tejas LCA Mk-1A. Furthermore, it is now developing its indigenous engine, which will be used to power both Tejas and AMCA aircraft.

“We will be attempting at least 6-8 aircraft (LCA) this year. All 10 aircraft are already ready, there are some systems to be delivered from Israel. If that happens in time, we can deliver all 10. “By June this year we should start flying the LCA MK-1A configuration. Once flying starts, we have about 20 to 24 months of testing. Once that is done, we will be ready for deliveries as expected.”R. Madhavan, Chief Managing Director, HAL.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) expects to deliver all Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas in the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) variant to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2022 while the LCA MK-1A, with specific enhancements, will take flight by the middle of this year, said R. Madhavan, Chief Managing Director, HAL.

A larger aircraft LCA MK-2 to roll out by year-end or early 2023, says HAL MD.

Last February the Defence Ministry signed a ?48,000 crore deal with HAL to supply 83 LCA MK-1A to the IAF. HAL will be delivering the first three aircraft in 2024 and 16 aircraft per year for the subsequent five years, the Defence Ministry had stated earlier.

We will start manufacturing activities parallel with the testing, Mr. Madhavan said on the LCA MK-1A schedule. With COVID-19 cases surging again, there could be some delays if the work schedule is disrupted.

To ramp up production, HAL has already set up two additional assembly lines. Stating that all three LCA assembly lines are operational now, Mr. Madhavan said the back end of the lines is what they are finishing now including the supply of sub-assemblies by vendors.

ALSO READ - HAL may delay delivery of LCA TEJAS – blames escalating composites price

 The Bombay High Court on Friday asked the Mumbai Suburban District Collector to demolish 48 high-rise buildings near the Mumbai International Airport for violation of height norms. The HC order came in compliance with the orders of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice MS Karnik also pulled up the collector for trying to shift the responsibility of demolition to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and said the collector has to do something about this “menace” (obstacles near the airport).

The Bombay High Court asked the Mumbai Suburban District Collector to demolish 48 high-rise buildings near the Mumbai International Airport for violation of height norms.

The collector (suburbs), in response to a Bombay high court poser on obstacles to the city airport approach area on July 25 2022, said the BMC should carry out the demolition in Mumbai as it is the planning authority under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. The BMC pointed out that under the Aircraft Rules 1994, it is the collector’s responsibility.

The judges agreed and said the 1994 rules empower the district collector to remove obstructions. Friday’s HC instruction to the collector was passed after a 2019 PIL by advocate Yeshwanth Shenoy on the danger highrises near the airport pose to aircraft. Ironically, the Airports Authority of India’s guesthouse is among them.

The orange path is called the FUNNEL ZONE or APPROACH PATH.

It is an imaginary area that extends outwards and upwards conically from a runway end. The cone-shaped area must be free of obstacles for the safe passage of jets to/from a runway.

There are 48 obstacles in total. Most of them are in the funnel zone and can be divided into two categories. The first one includes the top portions of buildings in Vile parle (E) and Santacruz (W). And the second one includes Shanties houses built on top of hills in Kurla, Ghatkopar.

The illegal portion of most buildings is between 0.5-6 m high. Many are water tanks, TV antennas, iron pipes, hoardings, etc. On hilltops, entire shanties are illegal. Among them are the minar of a mosque in Kurla, a mosque and a temple in Narayan Nagar, Ghatkopar, shaties in Asalpha, huts and a mosque on JarinMari hill.

HC seeks a flight path demolition plan.

Other obstacles include a 4.2m portion of a footbridge in Sambhaji Nagar on WEH, apart from an antenna and a light on a hoarding. Parts of erstwhile Kingfisher House on the highway, including antenna and hoarding, are illegal. AAI Guest House at New Airport Colony, Vile Parle (East). It is 3.3m illegal, which means an entire floor.

The focus now is on the 48 structures that will be cut to size, but the PIL about the safety of aircraft has brought back nightmares for all residents who live under the shadow of flights operating from the airport. The HC has asked the BMC and the police to render necessary assistance to the Collector.

The court will pass appropriate orders about the other obstacles identified by the MIAL from 2010 till now after the reply affidavit of the Collector is filed on August 22.