Drone LOS Analysis

Prove where the drone route stays visible and where terrain breaks it.

SighThor gives drone operators a terrain-aware VLOS and BVLOS planning workflow with multi-observer route analysis and export-ready evidence.

Outputs

PDF, KML, KMZ, CSV

Context

VLOS and BVLOS planning

Audience

Commercial operators and consultants

Drone LOS

Green where the route is visible, red where terrain breaks it

Place pilot and relay observers, analyse multi-segment routes, and export map-backed evidence that shows exactly where the gaps are.

Coverage

96% clear

Blocked segments

1 gap

Max gap

340 m

Export

PDF + KML

Pain Points

Why route visibility analysis is still too manual

Operators often have terrain data, but not a workflow that turns it into route-specific observer evidence.

Manual LOS surveys cost time and money before you even know whether the route is viable.
Generic drone planning tools can visualise the route, but they do not explain where the terrain breaks observer visibility.
Regulators and internal safety teams need evidence, not just a claim that the route should be fine.

Feature Deep Dive

What the drone workflow is built to answer

The goal is to make visibility assumptions inspectable before people and equipment are deployed.

Terrain-aware route visibility

The route is segmented by what the observer network can actually see, not by guesswork or line drawings on a flat map.

Multiple observers

Place pilot and relay observers to close gaps and compare route coverage before field deployment.

Blocked segment review

Identify exactly where the route breaks and use that insight to move observers or change operating assumptions.

Evidence exports

Export map-backed PDF, KML, KMZ, CSV, and GeoJSON outputs for mission packs, waiver material, or internal review.

Operational framing

The workflow is oriented around VLOS and BVLOS justification, not generic recreational route planning.

Workflow

Route analysis in four stages

Build the geometry, test the assumptions, refine the observer plan, and export the evidence.

  1. 01

    Create a drone project, navigate to the operating area, and add the route waypoints.

  2. 02

    Place the pilot or ground observers where you expect to maintain visibility.

  3. 03

    Run LOS analysis at the planned altitude and inspect clear versus blocked segments.

  4. 04

    Adjust the observer network or route, then export the evidence package for review.

Regulatory Context

Designed to support evidence-heavy operational review

SighThor is not legal advice, but it is built to produce the route visibility artefacts that teams repeatedly need when documenting higher-friction operations.

FAA Part 107 / future waiver workflows

Use the exported evidence to support visibility reasoning and mission planning conversations for operations in the United States.

UK-SORA and UK CAA operations

The workflow maps cleanly onto UK-style evidence needs where visibility and terrain context must be documented.

EASA SORA-aligned operations

SighThor provides the line-of-sight analysis artefacts that commonly support SORA-style operational planning in Europe.

JARUS-oriented global teams

For operators working across multiple jurisdictions, the route evidence stays consistent even when the paperwork changes.

Comparison

A planning workflow built for route visibility, not just flight admin

SighThor sits in the gap between generic route planners and costly bespoke field surveys.

CapabilitySighThorTypical alternative
Terrain-aware observer LOSYes. Route coverage is segmented by terrain visibility.Common flight planning tools usually do not provide this.
Multiple observer modellingYes. Pilot and relays can be placed and compared.Often unsupported or manual.
Operational evidence exportsPDF, KML, KMZ, CSV, GeoJSON, PNG.Usually screenshots plus manual notes.
Regulatory contextBuilt around VLOS/BVLOS evidence needs.Built around flight logging or route management.
Consultancy replacement potentialEarly viability checks happen in-house before field spend.External survey or manual review often required.

Deliverables

Export the route analysis in the formats operations teams already use

The output is structured for mission review, regulator-facing evidence, or customer communication.

Mission review ready

Use it for viability checks, observer placement studies, and waiver support packs.

The export set is intended to reduce the amount of manual map reconstruction and commentary that usually happens after the route is analysed.

PDF evidence report with route map, clear/blocked segments, and observer context
KML and KMZ for Google Earth and geospatial review
CSV route and LOS segment data for mission packs
GeoJSON for GIS and operational workflow integration

Drone Planning CTA

Analyse the route before you spend the field day.

Use SighThor to test observer layouts, expose terrain-driven gaps, and produce the map-backed outputs your team can actually review.