UK’s First Permanent BVLOS Permission secured from the CAA by Autospray Systems in partnership with DronePrep and the SEAD Artists

AutoSpray Systems is proud to announce that they have obtained an Operational Authorisation from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) (received on 11th March 2025) to conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations in an Atypical Air Environment (AAE). This milestone marks a significant advancement in agricultural drone applications, unlocking new commercial opportunities across multiple sectors. The development of this capability, and resultant permission, has been funded by Natural England’s PEF Fund and is the result of two years of work with project partners DronePrep, the SEAD Artists, Natural England, Land Partners and the CAA.

Expanding Capabilities

With this approval, AutoSpray Systems is authorised to operate their 120kg agricultural drone for spraying liquids and spreading granules across agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and many other use cases. Unlike previous restrictions that limited operations to within 500m of the remote pilot, this location based permanent BVLOS AAE approval allows them to operate without distance limitations, subject to location-specific risk assessment.

Unlocking Commercial Opportunities

Historically, low-level drone operations were restricted by distance regulations, limiting their full potential. With location specific BVLOS approvals, it is now possible to reach even more remote and inaccessible areas, making a profound impact in sectors such as:

• Peatland Restoration – Enabling large-scale reseeding and rehabilitation of degraded peatlands.
• Paludiculture Crop Seeding – Supporting the cultivation of wetland-adapted crops to enhance biodiversity and carbon sequestration as part of our work with DEFRA, as part of theSEAD Artists consortium.
• Reforestation Projects – Deploying drones for tree seeding and afforestation in challenging terrains where human access is impractical.

This authorisation significantly expands Autospray Systems and their partners in their ability to scale sustainable land management solutions, reinforcing our commitment to innovation in aerial agriculture.”

Acknowledgments

Andy Sproson, Director of AutoSpray Systems stated- 

‘Achieving BVLOS approval is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of multiple industry and academic experts. We extend our sincere gratitude to our fellow SEAD Artists:

This is a consortium of organisations and individuals with the sole aim to become a singular voice and point of contact for the agriculture and environmental industry when they are looking to interact with drones and new technology – speaking with one voice.

It is an initiative that supports an evidence-based data approach to facilitate environment and agriculture which will be as inclusive of all users and operators, and representative bodies as is reasonably possible.

• Gareth Whatmore and Karina  Nasretdinova from DronePrep
• Aleks Kowalski from Skypointe Ltd
• Hasan Hasan and Mohammed Hasan from IT Surveillance
• Dr Owen McAree from The University of Liverpool
• Abu Hassan from Theory and Practice of Software

A special thanks is extended to the RPAS team at the CAA and all other colleagues involved in shaping the BVLOS AAE policy whose support has been instrumental in achieving this milestone.

When can we see this happening? 

 Additional information will be released in due course and we will be hosting an open day, conducting live demonstration flights week on Monday 28th April 2025, in the Greater Manchester Area.

 If you would like to attend, please contact AutoSpray Systems on the contact details below.

About AutoSpray Systems Ltd

AutoSpray Systems Ltd is the UK’s leading provider of aerial pesticide applications, specialising in agriculture, forestry, amenity, and horticulture. As the exclusive UK importer of XAG Unmanned Aircraft platforms, we are committed to advancing sustainable drone technology to revolutionise land management and crop care.

For further information, please contact: Andy Sproson
Director, AutoSpray Systems Ltd
www.autospraysystems.com

[email protected]