1. Definitions
- VLOS (Visual Line of Sight): The pilot must keep the drone in their naked eyesight at all times (typically <500 meters).
- BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight): The pilot flies by instruments, often miles away from the aircraft.
2. Comparison Table
| Feature | VLOS | BVLOS |
|---|---|---|
| Max Range | ~500m | Unlimited |
| Pilot Ratio | 1 : 1 | 1 : N (Scalable) |
| Cost per Mile | High | Low |
3. The 3 Keys to Unlocking BVLOS
- Detect and Avoid (DAA): The drone must see other planes. (See LiDAR vs Radar).
- Robust C2 Link: You cannot lose connection. (See 5G vs Satellite).
- Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM): A digital "Air Traffic Control".
4. Conclusion
VLOS kept drones as "flying cameras" (Toys/Tools). BVLOS turns drones into "flying robots" (Infrastructure). The transition from VLOS to BVLOS is the 2025 mega-trend.