The UK has taken a major step forward in the use of drones, with its aviation regulator announcing on Tuesday that drones will now be permitted to inspect critical infrastructure like power
lines and wind turbines. This move is hailed as a key milestone by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Earlier in the year, the CAA had expressed its intention to expand drone usage for various applications, including infrastructure inspections, deliveries, and emergency services. In August, six projects were chosen to explore these possibilities.
With this new policy, drones will now be able to fly beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of operators, a significant shift from previous restrictions.
"While some drones have already been flying beyond visual line of sight in the UK, these were primarily under stringent trial conditions," the CAA explained.
The policy will allow certain drones to operate at low altitudes, close to infrastructure where the risk of encountering other aircraft is minimal. This will help reduce costs and enhance efficiency, according to the CAA.
The drones will perform tasks such as inspecting power lines for damage, conducting maintenance checks on wind turbines, and even acting as "flying guard dogs" to bolster site security.
The CAA will collaborate with several operators to test and assess the effectiveness of this new policy. Sophie O'Sullivan, the CAA’s director, said the initiative "opens up new opportunities for how drones can enhance everyday life." Photo by Spielvogel, Wikimedia commons.