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.
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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.”
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