In October 2025, Kitemill received formal approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Norway to conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This marks a major step forward for Kitemill and the EU-funded AWE-KM2 project, reflecting the company’s long-term focus on system autonomy, operational safety, and regulatory engagement.
The approval allows Kitemill to operate multiple sites under a single BVLOS operator structure, supporting more scalable and efficient airborne wind energy operations. It also confirms the maturity of Kitemill’s operational framework, built through more than a decade of testing at the Lista AWE test site.
With BVLOS approval now in place, Kitemill can conduct test and demonstration flights without requiring on-site visual observers. This enables remote control and monitoring from centralized operations, and significantly expands operational flexibility. The permit also includes flight in reduced visibility, such as through clouds and during nighttime hours — both essential for building toward continuous, autonomous power production.
The approval comes at a strategically important point in the AWE-KM2 project. It supports the next phase of development and is expected to contribute to meeting the conditions for the upcoming funding tranche through the European Innovation Council (EIC).
Earlier this year, Kitemill successfully demonstrated vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities — a key enabler for efficient and safe BVLOS operation. While BVLOS approval grants regulatory permission for remote flights, VTOL functionality ensures those flights can be carried out reliably in a wide range of conditions. The combination of these two milestones provides the practical foundation for long-duration autonomous flights, including during night and in low-visibility weather.
Together, these achievements confirm Kitemill’s readiness to operate next-generation AWE systems with greater autonomy and precision than ever before.
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Kitemill will now focus on integrating remote operations infrastructure and demonstrating extended autonomous flight windows. The team will continue sharing progress with authorities and project partners, contributing to the broader certification pathway for airborne wind energy systems.
This milestone reflects not only regulatory progress but the collective effort of a team committed to building a safe, efficient, and scalable energy technology. Kitemill moves forward with confidence, grounded in experience and driven by innovation.
