UK Grants Approval for Drone Inspections of Power Lines and Wind Turbines

Drones inspecting infrastructure can now operate beyond the remote operator's visual line of sight under the new policy.

London: Britain’s aviation regulator announced on Tuesday a groundbreaking decision to permit drones to inspect critical infrastructure, including power lines and wind turbines. The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) heralded this development as a significant milestone in the evolution of drone usage.

Earlier this year, the CAA expressed its intention to expand drone operations for various applications, including deliveries and emergency services. In August, the authority selected six projects to pilot these new initiatives. Under the new policy, drones inspecting infrastructure will now be allowed to fly beyond the remote operator’s visual line of sight.

“While some drones have been flying beyond visual line of sight in the UK for several years, these flights are primarily trials under strict restrictions,” the CAA stated. The updated guidelines enable certain drones to operate at low altitudes near infrastructure, where the risk of encountering other aircraft is minimal. This change is expected to reduce operational costs significantly, according to the CAA.

Also Read | NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang Hails Elon Musk’s xAI Supercomputer as a ‘Superhuman’ Achievement

The drones will perform vital functions, such as inspecting power lines for damage, conducting maintenance checks on wind turbines, and serving as “flying guard dogs” for enhanced site security. The CAA plans to collaborate with various operators to test and evaluate this innovative policy. Sophie O’Sullivan, the regulator’s director, noted that this initiative “paves the way for new ways drones will improve everyday life.”

Also Read | UN Security Council Supports Lebanon Peacekeepers Amid Israeli Attacks

Recent News

Chaos Erupts as Zamalek Fans Clash After Stellenbosch Match in South Africa

Violence marred the aftermath of a CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal match between Egyptian club Zamalek and South African side Stellenbosch FC at Cape Town...

Akshay Kumar’s Kesari Chapter 2 Promises Intense Action & Drama, Ananya Panday’s Role Sparks Buzz

Mumbai: After the moderate success of Sky Force at the box office, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is all set to make waves with his...

Mount Marapi Volcano Erupts in Indonesia, Spewing Massive Ash Column

Jakarta, Indonesia – Mount Marapi, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupted violently on April 2, 2025, unleashing a towering column of ash that...

Trump Ignites Historic Global Trade War with Sweeping Tariffs

Washington, D.C. – Stock markets worldwide plummeted on Thursday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of aggressive new tariffs targeting trading partners across the...