BVLOS

Use Cases for BVLOS Drone Surveys

BVLOS capabilities are being leveraged in a variety of industries where large-area coverage or long-distance inspection is essential. Below we highlight some key sectors – Mining, Infrastructure & Utilities, Pipelines, and Government/Large Enterprises – and how BVLOS drone operations benefit each with real-world examples.

Mining: Site Mapping, Stockpile Measurements, Environmental Monitoring

The mining industry often deals with expansive lease areas, remote locations, and continuously changing site features – all factors that make it an ideal candidate for BVLOS drone surveys. Mine operators use BVLOS missions to map and monitor their sites comprehensively without interrupting operations. For example, we at National Drones partnered on a project covering 250 square kilometers for a mining company (QEM), creating detailed orthomosaic maps and elevation models of a future mine sitThis enabled the company to clearly mark boundaries, plan flood mitigation, and establish a baseline before development.

In another case, our team flew a fixed-wing drone BVLOS to update spatial imagery across BHP’s massive 200 km² Olympic Dam mine lease in South Australia – one of the largest drone surveys ever completed in the country at the time. The high-resolution aerial data gave BHP an up-to-date digital twin of their surface operations for planning an expansion, something previously only achievable with manned aircraft

Stockpile measurements and inventory calculations also benefit from BVLOS flights. Rather than sending surveyors to each stockpile or having spotty coverage, a single BVLOS drone mission can capture all stockpiles across a large mine in one flight. The resulting 3D models provide accurate volume estimates for minerals or overburden, improving inventory management. Additionally, environmental monitoring is enhanced; drones can repeatedly fly BVLOS to check for land rehabilitation progress, tailings dam integrity, or vegetation regrowth over a broad area. Mining companies like Rio Tinto and BHP, operating in Australia’s vast Pilbara and outback regions, see BVLOS as a way to oversee their far-flung assets (from pits and haul roads to rail links) more efficiently and safely. Overall, BVLOS surveys in mining deliver cost-effective, timely spatial intelligence that supports everything from daily operations to long-term environmental compliance.

Infrastructure & Utilities: Power Line Inspections, Asset Monitoring, Condition Assessments

Electric utilities, energy companies, and infrastructure providers manage networks that stretch over great distances – think of power lines snaking across countryside, or wind farms and pipelines spread out over hundreds of kilometers. BVLOS drone inspections are transforming how these linear and dispersed assets are monitored. With BVLOS, a utility can launch a drone to autonomously follow a transmission line for tens of kilometers, inspecting towers, wires, and right-of-way conditions without needing chase cars or multiple field teams. For instance, drones equipped with zoom cameras or LiDAR can fly beyond visual range to detect issues like lightning damage, sagging lines, or encroaching vegetation along power corridors, transmitting live data back to operators. This not only speeds up inspections (drones can cover more line per hour than a ground crew or helicopter) but also preempts outages by catching problems early

Australia’s vast geography makes such capabilities invaluable – a single BVLOS drone run can survey remote power distribution lines that would take days for crews to patrol. BVLOS extends that efficiency even further by allowing drones to move from one pole or transmission tower to the next for miles, only limited by aircraft endurance. Similarly, other infrastructure like railways and roads can be surveyed for condition assessment using BVLOS drones, identifying maintenance needs (e.g. rail track damage or roadway flooding) over long stretches

Asset monitoring at scale is another use case. Pipeline or utility companies often need to check many dispersed sites – such as pump stations, substations, or solar farms – that are spread out geographically. Instead of driving to each, a programmed BVLOS drone flight can hop between sites in one mission, capturing high-definition video or thermal images of equipment for anomaly detection. This kind of condition assessment from the air ensures that even far-off infrastructure receives regular inspections. It also creates a digital archive of asset condition over time, which large enterprises can use for predictive maintenance. In summary, BVLOS operations give infrastructure and utility managers a powerful tool: a drone’s-eye view of their entire network that is faster, safer, and often more detailed than traditional inspection regimes

Pipelines: Long-Range Inspections, Vegetation Encroachment, Leak Detection

Pipeline networks – whether carrying natural gas, oil, water, or minerals – often span hundreds of kilometers across remote terrain. Maintaining these critical lifelines has traditionally been challenging, requiring pipeline patrols by truck, foot, or crewed aircraft. BVLOS drone surveys are revolutionising pipeline monitoring by enabling long-range inspection flights that cover extensive pipeline sections in one sortie. Drones can follow the pipeline route at low altitude well beyond visual line of sight, checking for issues such as unauthorized activities near the right-of-way, signs of leaks (e.g. thermal anomalies or dying vegetation), or structural problems at valves and pumping stations. Because the drone can carry optical and infrared cameras, it may spot subtle indicators of a leak or encroaching foliage far more efficiently than ground patrols. In fact, regulators note that BVLOS drones allow utilities to increase the frequency of pipeline and powerline inspections, strengthening early issue detection and even fire prevention in rights-of-way

For example, Australian gas pipeline operators in the outback can deploy a drone from a remote operations center and have it fly 50–100 km of pipeline in a single mission, capturing video and sensor data throughout. This persistent broad-area surveillance was previously possible only with expensive manned helicopters. Now, BVLOS drones offer a cost-effective alternative to crewed aircraft for pipeline monitoring, able to accomplish rapid coverage of vast areas without the hefty per-hour costs

The result is not only cost savings but also improved safety – drones keep inspectors out of potentially dangerous areas and eliminate the risks of low-altitude helicopter flights. Additionally, drones have a lower environmental footprint for these tasks, avoiding the need for heavy vehicles or aircraft that can disturb sensitive environments along pipeline routes

Beyond routine inspection, BVLOS drones play a role in emergency response for pipelines. In the event of a suspected leak or after a natural disaster, a drone can be sent beyond sight to quickly survey the pipeline for damage, well before repair crews can access the area. This rapid situational awareness can help companies and government bodies dispatch resources more effectively and minimize downtime. Whether for daily patrolling of vegetation encroachment and right-of-way condition, or for urgent incident assessment, BVLOS operations enhance the pipeline industry’s ability to maintain integrity over long distances with greater confidence and lower cost.

Government & Large Enterprises: Land Management, Emergency Response, Regional Projects

Government agencies and large enterprises are also harnessing BVLOS drone surveys for public sector and wide-impact projects. Land management and environmental agencies use BVLOS flights to monitor vast tracts of land – for instance, conducting wildlife surveys, vegetation mapping, or tracking changes in national parks and forests. A pertinent example is the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) planning BVLOS drone operations in Kakadu National Park to perform aerial wildlife surveys over the park’s northern end

Using fixed-wing drones BVLOS allows coverage of large conservation areas to count animals or assess habitats far more quickly and with less disturbance than ground teams or low-flying manned aircraft. Similarly, regional authorities might deploy BVLOS drones to map coastlines for erosion, survey remote islands, or monitor marine protected areas like the Great Barrier Reef from the air.

In emergency response, BVLOS drones can be a game changer for rapid assessment and disaster relief coordination. After events like bushfires, cyclones, or floods, large areas need to be surveyed immediately to locate damage and prioritize response. BVLOS operations enable a drone to be launched even when roads are cut off, flying over hundreds of square kilometers to assess damage before manned aircraft can even take off. For instance, after a severe flood in Queensland, a BVLOS drone could rapidly map inundation across a whole town and its surrounds, providing emergency services and government with real-time imagery to direct aid and resources.

Large enterprises involved in regional development projects also benefit. Think of companies planning railway corridors, highway expansions, or new industrial sites – they often need aerial surveys of entire regions for feasibility studies. BVLOS drones can gather high-resolution topographical maps for tens of kilometers of proposed alignments, supporting engineering designs and environmental assessments. Unlike satellite imagery which might be outdated or low detail, drone data is up-to-date and high-resolution. Enterprises like Shell, BHP, and Rio Tinto have leveraged drone surveys in their project development; with BVLOS, they can extend these surveys to all their far-off project areas efficiently.

Furthermore, cross-agency collaborations can use BVLOS data. For example, a state government might partner with a mining company to survey regional infrastructure (roads, airstrips, water sources) that support both the mine and local communities – a BVLOS flight can serve both purposes in one sweep. Overall, for government bodies and large organizations, BVLOS drone operations open up new possibilities to manage and inspect large regions, respond to crises faster, and gather data for big-picture planning, all with improved safety and cost profiles.

The Process of Conducting a BVLOS Drone Survey

Conducting a BVLOS drone survey in Australia involves meticulous planning, specialized approvals, and careful execution to ensure both success and safety. Below is a step-by-step guide illustrating how a typical BVLOS survey mission is carried out – from initial planning stages all the way to data analysis:

1. Mission Planning & Scope Definition – The process begins with clearly defining the survey objectives and scope. What area or assets need to be covered, and what data is required (e.g. high-resolution photos, LiDAR point clouds, thermal images)? Planners will outline the flight area boundaries, the desired resolution or inspection details, and any timeframe for data delivery. This stage also includes assessing the feasibility of BVLOS for the task – considering distance to be flown, terrain, and airspace. For instance, a mining survey of 200 km² is identified as needing BVLOS due to its size. Planners choose appropriate drone platforms (often fixed-wing for longer range) and sensor payloads to meet the mission goals.
2. Risk Assessment and SORA Preparation – Because BVLOS flights carry more risk than line-of-sight flights, a comprehensive risk assessment is mandatory. The team performs a Specific Operational Risk Assessment (SORA), analyzing ground risks (population in the area, potential impact of drone failures) and air risks (other aircraft in the airspace, altitude of operation). They identify mitigation strategies for each risk, such as choosing remote unpopulated areas to lower ground risk or scheduling flights when air traffic is minimal. This results in a detailed safety case. In Australia, operators prepare a SORA documentation package to submit to CASA, showing how the operation will be conducted safely and in compliance with regulations
3. Regulatory Approvals (CASA Application) – With the risk assessment in hand, the operator seeks approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to conduct the BVLOS mission. CASA requires that the operator hold the proper certifications (such as a ReOC and qualified remote pilots – more on this in the regulatory section) and that the specific mission is approved via a BVLOS flight authorization. The SORA package is submitted as part of this application. The approval process is thorough: authorities review the safety case, ensure all required procedures and technologies are in place, and may request additional mitigations or documentation. It’s not uncommon for BVLOS approvals to take several months for CASA to assess, so this step is initiated well ahead of the planned operation. In our example, National Drones worked closely with CASA, providing detailed flight plans, safety protocols, and contingency measures for a 250 km² survey, ultimately securing the necessary approval before deployment
4. Pre-Flight Preparation – Once approvals are granted and a window for the operation is set, thorough pre-flight preparations take place. The drone equipment is inspected and tested – including all redundant systems like backup power, GPS, and communication links (satellite or long-range radio systems are often used to maintain control beyond line of sight). The flight plan (waypoints, altitudes, speed) is programmed into the drone’s autopilot software. The ground control station and any remote pilot interface are set up and tested for connectivity. The team also coordinates with any supporting personnel: for example, in some cases visual observers might be stationed at key points (such as near an active airstrip in the area) to monitor airspace, even if the operation is primarily BVLOS. Airspace notifications are issued as required – e.g. a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) might be published to alert other airspace users of the drone activity
5. Mission Execution (Flight Operation) – The drone is launched (either by hand, catapult, or VTOL depending on the model) and the BVLOS flight commences. The remote pilot and support crew monitor the drone’s progress via real-time telemetry on the ground control station – this includes GPS position on the map, altitude, speed, heading, battery levels, and live feed from the camera if applicable. During the flight, the operator ensures the drone remains within the approved operational area and altitude limits (typically, BVLOS surveys in Australia stay below 400 ft AGL unless otherwise cleared
6. Data Collection & Management – As the drone flies, it continuously collects survey data. High-resolution photographs are taken in overlapping sequences for mapping, or sensors scan the infrastructure for inspection imagery. In BVLOS surveys, data management is key because the volumes can be large – hundreds of high-res images or hours of video. Typically, data is stored onboard the drone’s payload memory. In some cases, low-bandwidth telemetry might send thumbnails or key metrics live to the ground, but full datasets are usually retrieved after landing. Ensuring the drone’s sensors operate correctly for the whole flight (with proper settings and no obstructions) is part of the operator’s monitoring duties. If the mission is very long, the operation may be split into multiple sorties – the drone might return to a base to swap batteries or refuel (for petrol engine drones), then continue the next leg. Each segment’s data is safely offloaded and catalogued. By the end of the flying phase, the team will have a wealth of raw data covering the entire target area or assets.
7. Post-Flight Analysis and Data Processing – After the drone lands and the mission is completed, attention turns to making the raw data useful. Specialized software is used to process the collected data. For mapping surveys, this involves stitching aerial images into an orthomosaic map and generating digital elevation models; for inspections, it means reviewing footage or imagery to pinpoint any faults or areas of interest. The processing stage can take anywhere from hours to days depending on the data size and complexity. In our mining survey example, National Drones processed the imagery to create a cohesive orthomosaic of the 250 km² area with 6 cm per pixel resolution, and produced accurate elevation models of the terrain
8. Deliverables and Insights – Finally, the processed data is analyzed in the context of the project’s goals and delivered to the stakeholders in a user-friendly format. This could be a GIS dataset, an interactive map, a report of findings, or an integration into the client’s asset management system. The team may highlight key insights – for example, identifying and measuring all stockpiles in a mine, or flagging specific power poles that have defects from an inspection run. For large enterprises and government clients, the results of a BVLOS drone survey provide actionable intelligence. Because of the scale and detail involved, clients often gain a comprehensive situational awareness that was not possible before. As a final step, any lessons learned (or data to support future flights) are documented, contributing to continual improvement of BVLOS operations.

   

    

Summary

In essence, the Australian regulatory environment for BVLOS drone flights is stringent but navigable. It prioritises safety and risk management, requiring operators to be well-prepared and qualified. Companies looking to utilise BVLOS operations must invest in the upfront work of getting certified and building a solid safety case. The reward, however, is the permission to unlock BVLOS capabilities for their projects – which, once obtained, can give them a significant operational edge. National Drones has continually worked within this landscape, coordinating with CASA and ensuring all its BVLOS operations meet or exceed the required compliance standards. This diligence in regulatory adherence is a key part of delivering successful outcomes in the field.