New rules allowing drones to be flown beyond the visual line of sight could unlock their potential to inspect infrastructure such as power lines and wind turbines, as well as increase site security.

According to a roadmap from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), routine drone inspections could take place by 2027. This would greatly reduce cost in comparison to human-led operations, which often involve hazardous scenarios requiring stringent safety rules.

While some drones have been flying beyond visual line of sight in the UK for several years, these flights are primarily trials under strict restrictions.

The regulator’s new rules will include activities where drones can remain at low heights close to infrastructure or near buildings where there is little or no potential for any other aircraft to be operating.

The CAA said that once the rules are in place, drones could be used to inspect power lines for damage quickly and at relatively low cost, carry out maintenance checks of wind turbines...