BVLOS is a common acronym in the drone industry, and it refers to “Beyond Visual Line of Sight.” Most countries – including India – have banned BVLOS flights except with special permission.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) planned to conduct experimental beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations using drones in controlled conditions within identified and segregated low Indian territorial airspace for a period of at least two months.

It was June 16, 2021, when the government of India, for the very first time, allowed BVLOS practice. Out of several selected participants, it was ANRA Technologies that got approved by the government of India for flight BVLOS for the first time. It led two consortia, one focusing on food delivery and the other on medical deliveries.

ANRA Technologies announced that stakeholders from the India Ministry of Defense (MoD), Directorate General of Aviation (DGCA), and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) have awarded final clearances to commence trials for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations in India. 

BVLOS helps maximize efficiency. BVLOS operations have many benefits. Some operations also need fine control over the timing of data collection, and drone flights with BVLOS operations can deliver this enhanced functionality. 
Basic BVLOS guidelines followed by other countries.

1. The framework under which a BVLOS flight can be conducted in the United States is covered under FAA Part 107 – Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule. More specifically, a BVLOS operation may be conducted if a waiver is received from complying with Part 107.31 of this rule (Visual Line of Sight Aircraft Operation). In addition, some operators may also decide to get a waiver from Part 107.33 – Visual Observer rules.
2. BVLOS standard scenarios of Australia include:

• Near a vertical object over a controlled ground environment that only involves active participants.
• Below 400 feet AGL in remote Australian airspace, that is defined by CASA as locations with very low population density and low risk of aircraft encounters.
• above 400 feet AGL and up to 5000 feet AMSL in remote Australian airspace, that is defined by CASA as locations with very low population density and low risk of aircraft encounters.
• Near a vertical object over a sparsely populated ground environment.