# Smarter Approvals: Optimizing BVLOS Regulatory Processes

- Event: Xpress ’23
- Published: June 19, 2023
- Length: 9:54
- Watch: https://nestgen.org/library/watch/AwZOLlJ09PI/

> The transcript of a recorded NestGen session, for reading or for use with an AI tool. It comes from the video's
> captions; automatic captions can mishear names and terms.

## Transcript

**[0:00]** Jackie Dmovvic, the legend, the CEO of Hover UAV. I'm so happy to be here with you, Jackie. This is incredible. Welcome to the program. Thank you. It's great to be here. Okay, let's get straight to the point with probably the most serious question I've ever asked a guest. Uh, we 've all heard, obviously, that drone propellers spin backwards in Australia due to the Coriolis effect, right? So, can you tell us how drone operators deal with this problem? And do you have any footage of drones taking off and ending up spinning out of control like boomerangs? I do n't think mine would do it, but it would be interesting to see the ones who do pipe inspections and end up going down a drain. Are they really watching them? That would be very interesting. And about the boomerang, look, all my drones always come back to me. I like that. I like that. It makes perfect sense. Yes. I mean, you press the button and it comes back. That makes everything easier. I like that. It's a very funny story. I was giving a workshop with children with intellectual disabilities and it

**[1:04]** was a lot of fun. One of them was having a lot of fun flying the drone and literally only had one controller. He was walking away from us and I couldn't get him to stop. I thought, "Well, eventually it'll do one of two things. Its battery will run out, and when it's low, it'll just come back." And that's exactly what he did. So , our very own little boomerang. Even if someone doesn't know what they're doing, they'll come back. Okay, let's ask a serious question. What are some of the biggest challenges in optimizing BVLOS regulatory processes and how can innovative solutions help overcome them? Yes, I think the biggest challenge is that the regulators themselves don't know what the acceptable means of compliance are. So, as the level of risk increases, there are more requirements, and then they have to decide whether to actually accept them. Well, many countries are starting to publish advisory circulars that help people

**[2:09]** say, "Okay, if you want to do something with this level of risk, or you're going to inspect power lines, or fly a drone near a structure , these are some of the approaches and mitigation measures you can use ," which simplifies the process from the operator's perspective. The most important thing I see is that people need to know what they're going to do, their concept of operation. Many people arrive and don't really have that figured out. So, if you change that, the level of risk changes, which means that the technical solutions may also change. That's why it's very important that when people want to fly beyond line of sight, they understand that they want to fly at 400 feet, that they want to conduct remote operations, day and night operations, and fly in this geographical area as well. Some of the solutions are hardware, software; Some of the mitigation measures that people accept are, for example, parachutes that can reduce the risk, redundancy in a specific

**[3:11]** system, or simply data on how the aircraft will be disassembled. Software solutions, many different options. It's how they're programmed , how they get back home. That helps regulators once they are familiar with that software. One of the most interesting projects, let me do a little promotion here. Last year we won a very large grant from the Australian government. It's to automate the risk assessment process, so you'll automatically have the parameters in a computer program so that, when you want to fly beyond line of sight, you can get repetitive approval because of all those parameters. In many countries we wait two to six months for approval, whereas now it can be virtually instantaneous. So I have to deliver that somehow in the next 21 months. You can do it. That sounds like a really amazing piece of software they 're developing; it's going to be like a kind of LAANC but for beyond-line-of-sight flights . Yes, that's correct. And yes, it will fit well; many UTM providers will be able to integrate it into their systems and use it . Oh, I love that. I love that.

**[4:12]** Good. So, let's talk about some of the risks. So, what are some of the potential risks or negative consequences of overly complex or burdensome regulations for beyond-sight flights ? We like to talk about regulations and how to avoid hindering innovation and progress in this rapidly evolving field. In fact, we've received this question before. So, let's hear your thoughts on this. I think you just need to break down what you're doing. You really have to understand, like I said, you have to understand the process of what you're doing. Hey, look, if this is new to you, when applying for those exemptions and approvals, seek assistance. You can spend weeks trying. Hey, look, go and get help. It makes a lot of sense because when you do this every day, like we do as a company, you learn what the regulators approve. So, we can simply say, you know what?, that team, if you add this detection and evasion system , you'll get it. Oh, and it's super fast and easy. So if you don't want to

**[5:12]** work with an external consultancy, do you talk to your industry colleagues or industry bodies ? Find out what's going on; Hey , read, search on Google, hey, not just in your own country. Google what 's going on with, uh, EASA or the FAA or with Australia and CASA, because many regulators allow you to use data from other countries. So, you know, if we 've been implementing BVLOS flights in Australia for many, many years, many companies are using the data we use in Australia to try to put pressure on the FAA or other countries as well. That makes a lot of sense. So, I think the regulatory process—in the context of the regulatory process—do you think there might be a market because it sounds like it would be a bit stressful, right? Do you think there's a market for drone-themed meditation and mindfulness classes ? I mean, we need to be able to de-stress somehow. We need to stay focused, amidst all that paperwork and bureaucracy. Do you think there's a market for that? Definitely. So if you don't want to stress yourself out and you don't want to get gray hairs from the process, outsource it. That's the only way you're going to

**[6:15]** achieve it. Well, otherwise, look, collaboration is key. Uh, you don't know everything. Usually, you know, you focus. You are an expert in your field . You know, try to find companies you can, you know, collaborate with, which takes a lot of that stress off your shoulders. Uh, that's probably all. I mean, I 'm not sure about the meditation aspect, but I hope that working with a lot of people will help reduce stress. Um, the other thing is that I think one of the most important things we've learned in the last eight years is not to expect the regulator to know everything. We are all learning. We're all in this together. So when you go through this process, if you don't want additional stress when writing things up or reviewing how you do it, look at it this way: "You know what, pretend they don't know anything, explain it very simply, and educate them." Because that way there are far fewer miscommunications and back-and-forths , which also causes you much less stress. That's great advice. Absolutely brilliant advice. I would say that education is key and we are all trying to learn this. I mean , it's almost like the analogy of

**[7:20]** us building the plane while launching it off a cliff. Yes. That's right. So it makes perfect sense . So, as a final question, and this has been lovely. Looking ahead to the future of BVLOS operations, what role do you think regulatory processes play in unlocking the potential of this technology, and what steps can we take today to ensure a safe, sustainable, and thriving drone ecosystem? Look, I'm going to say that if we had a mandatory outbound ADSB, our process would be much easier. Um, but look, it's about understanding the acceptable data that is required. Uh, so if that can be shared, for example, if you're trying to assess ground risk or air risk, or understand what regulators accept , that saves a lot of extra work; Um, we're going to need to analyze UTMs, but what exactly is a UTM? What are the different functions of a UTM, and what do you need in that BVLOS process? Look, many BVLOS operations can

**[8:21]** currently scale without a UTM, um, look, perhaps as we move more into controlled airspace and other things, it might be necessary. So, that will allow for further scaling. Um, but it still won't help us to know about all the aircraft out there that don't comply with the regulations. In other words, we still need to know where, where the other aircraft is. That's why electronic visibility—I hate that word, so I usually abbreviate it as EC—is so necessary. I think many companies need to move forward. Look, the BVLOS operation now, we're seeing so many case studies even at this event, almost every speech is about beyond the line of sight . So I think regulators have a good set of data on what has already been accepted. Why don't they publish standard scenarios? I would love to see, you know, them pick out five or six use cases they receive daily and share them with everyone, saying, "Look, this is a use case." They don't have to follow it, but it would streamline the process and make BVLOS more accessible and scalable. That would be a

**[9:21]** true collaboration, and perhaps a miracle to see. I think that would be a great thing to come from the regulators. Here's what has worked, without making people analyze it for themselves. I think it's a great idea. That's an excellent idea. Well, Jackie, this has been incredible. Thank you so much for joining us on the program. This is a lot of valuable information that we are sharing with all viewers . I think this is a great second episode, day two, Exponential 2023. This is Nefgen Express. Jason, Jackie, thank you very much. That's how it is. And we said goodbye.