BVLOS stands for Beyond Visual Line of Sight — a drone operation mode where the aircraft flies beyond the range where a pilot or observer can see it directly. This contrasts with VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) operations, where the pilot must maintain continuous unaided visual contact with the drone.
Why BVLOS matters for dock-based operations: Dock-based drone systems are inherently BVLOS operations. The drone launches from the dock, flies a pre-programmed mission that may cover several kilometres, and returns — all without a visual observer tracking it. This is what enables autonomous monitoring of large construction sites, linear infrastructure (roads, railways, pipelines), and expansive energy installations.
EASA regulatory framework: In Europe, BVLOS operations fall under the EASA Specific Category, which requires:
- A SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) — a systematic risk evaluation methodology
- An Operational Authorisation from the national aviation authority (e.g., UK CAA, DGAC France, LBA Germany)
- Mitigation measures appropriate to the assessed risk level (ground risk class and air risk class)
EASA's SORA methodology classifies operations into Ground Risk Classes (GRC 1-8) and Air Risk Classes (ARC-a through ARC-d). Most dock-based monitoring operations in controlled environments (construction sites, industrial facilities) achieve manageable risk levels that enable practical approval.
Country-specific status: Several European countries have established frameworks for BVLOS approvals: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the UK (under CAA), Denmark, and Switzerland are among the most advanced. Check our BVLOS Compliance Checker for country-specific regulatory status.