Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) is a fundamental operating requirement in Australian drone (RPA) regulations. It means the remote pilot must be able to see the aircraft at all times during flight with their own unaided eyes — without the use of binoculars, screens, cameras, or other optical aids.
What VLOS Means in Practice #
Under Australian civil aviation regulations administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the vast majority of drone operations — both recreational and commercial — must be conducted within VLOS. The remote pilot must maintain direct visual contact with the aircraft throughout the entire flight, meaning they can:
- See the drone clearly enough to determine its orientation and position
- Assess whether it is at risk of collision with other aircraft, obstacles, or people
- React immediately to avoid hazards
The use of first-person view (FPV) goggles or a live camera feed does not satisfy VLOS requirements on its own. If an FPV pilot is flying alone, they are not considered to be maintaining VLOS. However, FPV operations may be permitted if a separate visual observer maintains unaided eyes on the aircraft and is in direct communication with the pilot.
VLOS Distance Limits #
There is no fixed distance specified in metres for VLOS in Australian regulations — it is a functional requirement. In practical terms, most drones can only be tracked reliably by the naked eye out to a few hundred metres, and this varies with aircraft size, lighting conditions, background clutter, and pilot eyesight. Operators are responsible for ensuring they genuinely maintain visual contact rather than relying on an approximation of where the drone might be.
CASA’s guidance acknowledges that maintaining VLOS is a skill, and operators should practise and honestly self-assess their ability to track their aircraft under varying conditions.
VLOS Under Standard Operating Conditions #
Under the standard operating conditions for excluded (sub-2 kg) RPA operations in Australia, VLOS is a core requirement. Operators in the excluded category must not fly beyond the range at which they can clearly observe the aircraft. This applies during daylight hours under visual meteorological conditions (VMC).
For operations at night or in reduced visibility, additional approvals from CASA are required — these fall outside standard VLOS operations.
Why VLOS Exists #
The VLOS requirement exists to ensure remote pilots can detect and avoid other aircraft, people, and obstacles in real time. Unlike manned aviation where a pilot is physically aboard and has a 360-degree sensory awareness, drone pilots rely entirely on their eyes to manage collision risk. VLOS is the primary safety mechanism underpinning most drone operations in Australia.
Practical Implications for Operators #
- Plan your flight path to keep the aircraft within easy visual range at all times.
- Consider sun angle, background clutter, and aircraft colour/markings when assessing visibility.
- If you lose sight of the aircraft, activate the return-to-home (RTH) function immediately if available, and land as soon as practicable.
- Visual observers (VO) may be used to assist, but the remote pilot retains responsibility for VLOS compliance.
- FPV-only flight without a visual observer does not meet VLOS requirements.
Relevant Regulation #
VLOS requirements for RPA operations in Australia are set out in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR), Part 101, and supplemented by CASA’s standard operating conditions for excluded and certified RPA operations.
Always verify current regulations with CASA directly at casa.gov.au/drones. Regulations can change and this entry is provided for general reference only — it does not constitute legal advice.