When it comes to Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations, airspace segregation is often a major hurdle. Regulations typically require a portion of the airspace to be reserved or controlled to ensure the safety of manned aviation. This process can be time-consuming, expensive, and sometimes practically impossible. However, there is a solution: atypical airspace.
What is Atypical Airspace?
Atypical airspace is an area of airspace where manned aviation is generally not present. This can be due to several reasons, such as:
It consists of prohibited, restricted, or dangerous areas for general aviation.
It includes zones with natural or artificial obstacles, such as trees, buildings, cranes, power lines, and other structures where manned aircraft cannot or are not allowed to operate.
It falls outside the existing Airspace Encounter Categories (AEC 1-12), meaning it is not commonly used by manned aviation.
Situations Where Atypical Airspace Is Not Suitable
While an area may qualify as atypical airspace, there are situations where it is still not suitable for BVLOS operations. The following areas should be avoided:
Known permanent or temporary takeoff and landing sites for manned aviation, including parking lots, parks, and other locations where helicopters occasionally operate.
Locations where police, HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services), and SAR (Search and Rescue) helicopters may be active during emergencies.
Known military low-flying routes.
Other known low-flying manned operations in the intended operating area, such as balloon flights below 500 feet.
Areas where SAR operations may take place or transit through.
Known areas where other drones and unmanned aircraft operate, such as model aircraft clubs and UAV training zones.
Why Is Atypical Airspace Essential for BVLOS Operations?
For drone operators looking to fly BVLOS without airspace segregation, atypical airspace provides a legal and operational pathway to conduct safe and efficient operations. Since manned aviation avoids these areas, the risk of conflicts is minimized, allowing a drone to operate safely within a defined buffer zone:
At least 30 meters horizontally from obstacles
At least 30 meters vertically above the highest point of the obstacle
Practical Applications of BVLOS in Atypical Airspace
Atypical airspace opens the door to numerous applications without the need for complex airspace segregation approvals. Examples include:
Inspection of power lines and wind turbines without disrupting regular aviation.
Monitoring of urban areas, where drones can operate between buildings without interference.
Nature conservation and environmental monitoring in regions rarely visited by manned aircraft.
What Are the Challenges?
While atypical airspace presents opportunities, there are still key considerations:
Legal and operational approval: Authorities must be convinced that a BVLOS flight in this airspace is safe and responsible.
Technical limitations: Sensors and communication systems must function optimally to minimize risks.
Weather conditions: Obstacles can influence wind patterns within the designated 30-meter zone, affecting drone stability.
How Mapture.ai Can Help
At Mapture.ai, we understand the challenges and opportunities of BVLOS operations in atypical airspace. We assist drone operators with:
Identifying and analyzing suitable atypical airspace areas.
Developing SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessments) that comply with regulations.
Designing drones and supporting systems optimized for these conditions.
Looking to conduct BVLOS operations without the hurdles of airspace segregation? Contact us to explore how atypical airspace can enable your mission!
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