Aker Solutions is First Company in Europe to Secure Full BVLOS certification
Certification for unlimited beyond visual line of sight drone operations opens a new age of autonomous inspection for offshore platforms, onshore yards, process plants, and industrial sites.
Operation room in Stavanger. Photo: Aker Solution
BVLOS certification stands for “Beyond Visual Line of Sight” certification. It is a regulatory approval that allows drones (unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs) to operate beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight, meaning the drone can fly and perform missions at distances where the operator cannot directly see it.
BVLOS certification is typically granted by the national aviation authority (NAA) of the country where the drone operation will take place.
Full BVLOS certification enables Aker Solutions to conduct autonomous operations alongside manned helicopters and aircraft, one of the most advanced and highest-risk authorizations approved by European and national civil aviation authorities. This ensures zero interference with helideck operations, airports, or controlled airspace.
Aker Solutions’ BVLOS operations are piloted remotely from an onshore control room located hundreds of kilometres away.
The certification is agnostic to systems and products, enabling Aker Solutions to remain independent and flexible in choosing platforms, vendors, and technologies. This allows the drone system to be seamlessly integrated and tailored to clients’ needs without restrictions.
“Meeting these requirements opens new possibilities and will support the transition to low- and unmanned operations in some of the world’s most complex maritime environments. We aim to lead in delivering digital and automated maintenance and inspection services that boost customer productivity,” said Head of Drones and Robotics, Joachim Hovland.
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