BVLOS Flight in Canada: Volatus Granted SFOC to Fly Across the Country

Volatus Aerospace has been granted a Special Flight Operating Certificate (SFOC) to perform BVLOS flight in Canada.  Transport Canada has approved Volatus BVLOS ops in six locations across Canada, giving the company the opportunity to demonstrate advance drone operations across the country.

Transport Canada is rapidly developing drone regulations: and long distance operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) have significant value to many of the industries in Canada.  BVLOS flight in Canada has been tested in operations over oil pipelines and in other less-populated areas.   The Volatus SFOC for operations across the country will help make it easier for the Canadian drone industry to establish advanced drone operations in all areas.

Commenting on this advanced program, Glen Lynch, CEO said “Volatus is committed to advancing BVLOS operations across Canada. We have developed an extensive training program for pilots and procedures for autonomous drone operations. Beginning this month, our team will begin regular flight training missions in all regions in Canada on an ongoing basis – partnering with organizations that want to lead the way into this new frontier”.

As Volatus points out, “Flying a drone BVLOS is the next major step in enabling a robust commercial ecosystem for disruptive drone technologies. Indeed, the world is anxiously awaiting the day a drone delivers its Amazon box or pizza, but flight beyond visual line of sight is much more than that.”

“Drones are enhancing our everyday lives in countless ways by reducing human risk in hazardous situations, enhancing the collection of data in an environmentally and cost-effective manner; performing search & rescue activity; conducting security and surveillance operations, and providing highly accurate and timely actionable intelligence to manage our buildings, infrastructure, environment, and wildlife.”

BVLOS flight in Canada is not only a required step for widespread drone delivery – both domestic delivery of small packages and industrial, long distance cargo delivery – BVLOS sets the stage for future developments in passenger drones and large cargo aircraft. “The paradigm shift that this represents requires the development of an entirely new infrastructure to support its commercial feasibility,” says Volatus.