Long range fliers - share your tips of flying long range?

[3rdof5]

Transport Canada's laws are simliar to the FAA's, particularly regarding maintaining VLOS. I'd be lying if I said I've always maintained VLOS. I can say this much though, I have never flown BVLOS over populated areas, it's almost always over water where even though I can no longer physically see my aircraft, the RC can see it with excellent control signal. I never push the battery limits, I take very good care of my batteries and my aircraft and I know and trust their abilities. The only danger I ever face is bird strikes which is possible even while maintaining VLOS. Use common sense and don't be stupid.

 

[hank970]

If this were simple physics, then everyone could fly far)
You are trying to reason about higher mathematics with knowledge of arithmetic.

Anyone can fly as far as environmental conditions, drone characteristics, battery charge, and their own poor judgment allow. But they can't violate the laws of physics. In this instance, neither arithmetic nor mathematics have anything to do with it.

 

[DarR-T]

I'm a believer that BVLOS should be permitted for pilots with advanced certification under the following two conditions:

• A documented scene survey is performed along the proposed flight path.
• The flight path does not involve flying over a crowded area.

FYI; In Canada, there are two provisions in the upcoming (and slightly delayed) changes to the regulations: Sheltered Operations (basically flying around buildings) and Extended VLOS (using a spotter to look for conflicts in the airspace).

This is not exactly BVLOS for distance flying but it's a step in the right direction.

 

[jaja6009]

I'm a believer that BVLOS should be permitted for pilots with advanced certification under the following two conditions:

• A documented scene survey is performed along the proposed flight path.
• The flight path does not involve flying over a crowded area.

FYI; In Canada, there are two provisions in the upcoming (and slightly delayed) changes to the regulations: Sheltered Operations (basically flying around buildings) and Extended VLOS (using a spotter to look for conflicts in the airspace).

This is not exactly BVLOS for distance flying but it's a step in the right direction.

In the US, governement entitites can operate as a Public Aircraft and gain BVLOS with your examples amongst other risk mitigation strategies. There is also the ability to obtain waivers for civil operators although these tend to be a bit more restrictive. The agencies that first applied for this did all of the hard work in getting approvals, now as long as you follow their path, it is pretty straigh forward. We got our original COA (Certificate of Authorization) for OOP in less than 24 hours.

At work we are debating which path we will use for BVLOS as there are several available to us. I hope Part 108 will allow all other civil operators to be able to do the same and your idea of a BVLOS or some kind of advanced certification seems like a good idea.

 

[3rdof5]

I love this thread. Really we are talking about responsible and safe flight. It's irrelevant if it's manned or unmanned flight because ultimately, no flight is ever 100% safe. There is always risk. The real questions are, have all potential risks been evaluated and mitigated. Does the risk of the flight outweigh the need of the potential gains of it. The way I see it, if the aircraft is performing a beneficial and needed service in the air, and is being piloted by a qualified individual, and is being piloted in a safe and responsible manner, then the regulations should be open to common sense judgement.