SkyRanger UAS flies BVLOS

28th February 2017 - 10:00 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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Aeryon's SkyRanger UAS has carried out a beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight at the Foremost UAS Range in Canada, the company announced on 24 February.

The trial was carried out by Ventus Geospatial and Canadian Unmanned as part of work to establish safe operational procedures and protocols for operating UAS under 25kg (55lb) beyond line of sight for a range of applications, including public safety, power line and pipeline inspection, and large area mapping.

Transport Canada defines visual line of sight as 'unaided visual contact with the aircraft sufficient to be able to maintain operational control of the aircraft, know its location, and be able to scan the airspace in which it is operating to decisively see and avoid other air traffic or objects.' BVLOS describes UAS flight operations conducted at standoff distances beyond this visual contact.

Dave Kroetsch, president and CEO, Aeryon Labs, said: 'Transport Canada continues to be a progressive airspace regulator, establishing standards and guidelines, like BVLOS, that enable safe UAS operations within Canada.

'Aeryon is proud to support Transport Canada and our aviation partners using the SkyRanger, which is the first VTOL UAS to conform to the requirements established by Transport Canada for UAV system airworthiness and design.'

SkyRanger