In April 2019, Zipline launched the world's first national-scale drone delivery network from its distribution hub in Muhanga, Rwanda — delivering blood and medical supplies to rural hospitals across the country. That operation, which is now delivering hundreds of packages per day across multiple countries, is the world's most advanced proof point for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) commercial drone operations.
BVLOS operations — in which the drone flies beyond the operator's direct line of sight — are technically and regulatorily the most complex category of UAV work. The safety case requires reliable detect-and-avoid systems, redundant communication links, robust weather monitoring, and a demonstrated safety management system that satisfies aviation authorities.
The hardware challenge is largely solved. Cellular 4G/5G command links with latencies under 100ms are now reliable enough for BVLOS control across much of East Africa's populated areas. The DJI Dock 2 autonomous landing and recharging station enables persistent operations without a ground crew at the remote site.
The regulatory challenge is more complex and varies significantly by country. Rwanda's RCAA has a published pathway for BVLOS authorisations under its Tier 3 permit system, requiring an operational authorisation with a detailed risk assessment using the JARUS SORA methodology. Kenya's KCAA is developing its BVLOS framework but has not yet issued commercial authorisations outside of controlled trials.
For operators looking to position themselves for BVLOS work, the groundwork starts now. Building a documented safety management system, investing in detect-and-avoid training, and establishing a track record of incident-free VLOS operations are the prerequisites that aviation authorities will scrutinise when evaluating a BVLOS application. AEROVYN is actively working toward our first BVLOS authorisation in Rwanda, targeting Q3 2026.
