Xplorate Wins CASA Approval for Nearly Three-Year BVLOS Operations Over Australia's Cooper Basin
Australian drone services firm Xplorate Pacific Pty Ltd has received Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approval to conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations over the Cooper Basin. The authorization runs until March 31, 2029, covering an area approximately 560 km north-to-south and 740 km east-to-west, using the SwissDrones SDO 50 V3 unmanned helicopter for round-the-clock aerial surveillance.
Highlights
- Xplorate Pacific Pty Ltd received CASA BVLOS authorization valid until March 31, 2029 — nearly three years — for drone operations over Australia's Cooper Basin.
- The approved operating area spans approximately 560 km north-to-south and 740 km east-to-west across South Australia and Queensland.
- Operations are authorized up to 500 feet (152.4 m) AGL in uncontrolled airspace on a 24-hour, all-weather basis under a Remote Operator's Certificate.
- The SwissDrones SDO 50 V3 unmanned helicopter will be used to conduct continuous aerial monitoring of oil and gas pipelines and infrastructure.
- The authorization is considered a landmark commercial milestone, reflecting CASA's growing confidence in large-scale, long-term BVLOS operations over remote terrain.
Xplorate Secures CASA Authorization for Near Three-Year BVLOS Drone Monitoring Operations Over Cooper Basin
Australian drone services operator Xplorate Pacific Pty Ltd has been granted a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight authorization by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), enabling the company to establish a sustained aerial surveillance capability over the Cooper Basin — one of Australia's most strategically significant energy corridors.
Authorization Scope and Duration
The authorization takes immediate effect and remains valid until March 31, 2029, spanning close to three years. Under the approval, Xplorate Pacific is permitted to conduct drone operations in uncontrolled airspace at altitudes of up to 500 feet (152.4 metres) above ground level, operating under a Remote Operator's Certificate (ReOC) on a 24-hour, all-weather basis.
Operating Area: A Vast Energy Zone Spanning South Australia and Queensland
The approved operational area forms an active grid approximately 560 km north-to-south and 740 km east-to-west, straddling the border region between South Australia and Queensland. The Cooper Basin ranks among Australia's most important oil and gas producing regions, requiring regular inspection and monitoring of pipelines, infrastructure, and expansive terrain that is difficult to access by conventional means.
Platform: SwissDrones SDO 50 V3 Unmanned Helicopter
Operations will be conducted using the SwissDrones SDO 50 V3 unmanned helicopter — an industrial-grade rotary-wing UAS well-suited to long-endurance, continuous monitoring missions across remote and sparsely populated areas. The platform offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative to manned aircraft for large-area surveillance tasks.
Significance: A Landmark for Long-Term Commercial BVLOS Operations in Australia
This authorization is notable both for its geographic scale and its multi-year duration, marking an important commercial milestone for Australia's drone industry. It signals growing regulatory confidence in the viability of sustained, large-scale BVLOS operations over complex and challenging terrain, potentially opening the door to similar approvals across Australia's resource and infrastructure sectors.
Source: Xplorate / Images: Xplorate
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