BVLOS stands for Beyond Visual Line of Sight, a term used in drone and unmanned aircraft operations. It refers to the ability to fly a drone beyond the range of the operator's direct line of sight. This is in contrast to VLOS (Visual Line of Sight), where the operator must always keep the drone within their unaided visual range.
BVLOS operations typically require special permissions or waivers from regulatory authorities like the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) in the U.S., as it poses greater safety risks due to the operator not being able to see the drone directly. These operations often involve the use of advanced technologies, such as sensors, cameras, or radar, to detect obstacles and maintain safe navigation.
BVLOS is significant for commercial applications like infrastructure inspection, long-distance deliveries, and surveillance, where maintaining a direct visual on the drone is not practical.