Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS): From Approval to Routine Operations in Canada

Part 3 of a 3-Part Series on BVLOS Operations

Introduction

In Part 1 of this series, we defined what Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) means in Canada and why it represents more than simply flying farther away from the pilot.

In Part 2, we looked at the pathway from certification to operational planning, including Level 1 Complex operations, organizational readiness, operational volumes, and risk-based planning under Transport Canada’s framework.

In Part 3, we focus on what happens after the planning is complete: training, execution, oversight, and the transition from approval to routine BVLOS operations.Because for BVLOS to succeed, an organization must be able to do more than receive approval. It must be able to execute the operation safely, consistently, and repeatably.

Why Training Matters in BVLOS Operations

BVLOS operations introduce a different level of responsibility for pilots, crews, and organizations. In traditional VLOS operations, the pilot often relies on direct visual contact, immediate judgment, and simple crew coordination. In BVLOS, the operation depends much more heavily on procedures, defined roles, communication, and disciplined decision-making.

This means training must go beyond aircraft familiarization or basic flight skills. Crews need to understand how the operation is structured, what risks are being managed, and how to respond when conditions change.

Effective BVLOS training should include:

·       Mission planning and operational risk assessment

·       Airspace awareness and traffic conflict procedures

·       Command and control limitations

·       Lost link and fly-away response procedures

·       Emergency and contingency management

·       Crew communication and handover procedures

·       Site survey and operational volume validation

·       Documentation, reporting, and post-flight review

The goal is not simply to teach a pilot how to fly the aircraft. The goal is to prepare the entire crew to manage the operation.

Building Crew Competency

BVLOS operations are rarely a single-person activity. Depending on the mission, the crew may include a pilot-in-command, visual observers, payload operators, operations coordinators, maintenance personnel, and a person responsible for overall program oversight.

Each role must be clearly understood before the aircraft launches.

The pilot needs to understand the aircraft, airspace, mission limitations, and emergency procedures. Visual observers or support crew need to understand what they are monitoring, how to communicate hazards, and when to escalate concerns. The organization must ensure that everyone involved understands the approved operating procedures and their individual responsibilities.

Crew competency is built through a combination of:

·       Ground school

·       Scenario-based training

·       Tabletop exercises

·       Supervised field operations

·       Emergency procedure drills

·       Operational proficiency checks

This is where BVLOS training becomes practical. Crews need to rehearse the situations they are most likely to face before they experience them in the field.

Turning Procedures Into Real-World Execution

A BVLOS operation may look strong on paper, but the real test happens during execution.

Before launch, the crew must confirm that the mission still matches the approved operating conditions. This includes checking weather, airspace, ground risk, crew readiness, aircraft status, command and control performance, and any site-specific hazards.

During flight, the crew must operate within the approved limits of the mission. This includes maintaining awareness of the operational volume, monitoring aircraft performance, managing communications, and responding to any changes in airspace or ground conditions.

After landing, the organization must review the operation, capture lessons learned, document any issues, and confirm whether procedures need to be improved.

This cycle of planning, execution, review, and improvement is what turns BVLOS from a one-time approval into a mature operational program.

The Importance of Emergency Procedures

Emergency procedures are one of the most important parts of BVLOS readiness.

In VLOS operations, the pilot may be able to react visually and immediately to many abnormal situations. In BVLOS, that direct visual reference may not be available. The crew must already know what action to take when something goes wrong.

Common BVLOS emergency scenarios include:

·       Loss of command and control link

·       Loss of navigation performance

·       Fly-away or route deviation

·       Unexpected crewed aircraft activity

·       Weather deterioration

·       Battery or propulsion system concerns

·       Off-site landing

·       Loss of situational awareness

Each scenario should have a defined response. The crew should know who makes the decision, what steps are followed, how the aircraft is recovered or contained, and when the operation must be terminated.

A strong BVLOS program does not rely on improvisation. It relies on preparation.

Operational Discipline and Go / No-Go Decisions

One of the most important parts of BVLOS execution is knowing when not to fly.

A mission may be approved, the aircraft may be capable, and the crew may be trained, but conditions on the day of operation still matter. Weather, airspace activity, site conditions, equipment readiness, and crew availability can all affect whether the mission should proceed.

A disciplined BVLOS crew uses clear go / no-go criteria before every flight. These criteria should be tied directly to the approved operating procedures and the risk assessment.

Examples may include:

·       Minimum weather requirements

·       Maximum wind limits

·       Required crew positions

·       Communication system performance

·       Aircraft health status

·       Airspace or NOTAM review

·       Ground access or emergency recovery considerations

If the operation no longer matches the approved assumptions, the correct decision may be to delay, modify, or cancel the flight.

That discipline is a sign of operational maturity.

From Initial Approval to Routine Operations

Many organizations focus heavily on getting approval for BVLOS operations, but approval is only the beginning.

The real value comes when BVLOS becomes repeatable. This requires the organization to build internal systems that support ongoing compliance and safe execution.

That includes:

·       Standard operating procedures

·       Pilot and crew training records

·       Maintenance and inspection tracking

·       Flight logs and operational reporting

·       Incident and hazard reporting

·       Recurring proficiency checks

·       Program reviews and continuous improvement

When these systems are in place, BVLOS can become part of normal operations rather than a special project that needs to be rebuilt every time.

This is especially important for organizations using RPAS for public safety, infrastructure inspection, mining, environmental monitoring, or remote operations where the same types of missions may be repeated regularly.

Why Organizations Should Start Small

A practical way to build BVLOS capability is to start with clearly defined, lower-complexity missions.

Rather than attempting the most difficult operation first, organizations can build confidence through repeatable use cases with controlled ground risk, predictable airspace, defined routes, and strong emergency planning.

This allows crews to develop experience while the organization improves its procedures, documentation, and oversight.

Over time, this foundation can support more complex operations.

BVLOS capability should grow in stages:

·       Build the training foundation

·       Define the operational use case

·       Validate procedures in controlled conditions

·       Execute supervised operations

·       Review and improve the program

·       Expand only when the organization is ready

This staged approach helps reduce risk and creates a stronger path toward long-term success.

BVLOS Is an Operational Culture

The most successful BVLOS operators treat safety, documentation, and training as part of daily operations. They do not view procedures as paperwork or approvals as a finish line.

Instead, they build a culture where crews understand the purpose behind each requirement.

The aircraft may be the most visible part of a BVLOS operation, but the real system includes people, procedures, training, maintenance, oversight, and decision-making. When all of those pieces work together, BVLOS becomes reliable and scalable.

Conclusion: BVLOS Success Comes From Execution

BVLOS represents a major opportunity for Canadian RPAS operators. It can support larger inspection areas, faster emergency response, improved access to remote locations, and more efficient data collection across industries.

But BVLOS is not achieved through technology alone.

It requires trained crews, clear procedures, disciplined execution, strong organizational oversight, and a willingness to continuously improve.

Part 1 of this series explained what BVLOS means. Part 2 explained how BVLOS operations are planned. Part 3 brings it back to the most important point: approval only matters if the organization can execute safely in the real world.

Because in BVLOS, success is not measured by how far the aircraft can fly.

It is measured by how well the operation is controlled from start to finish.

Call to Action

Altohelix supports organizations with BVLOS readiness, Level 1 Complex training, operational planning and RPAS program development across Canada. Contact us today to get your program started.