Murzilli Consulting, a consultancy firm specializing in regulation, technology, and strategy for innovative aviation stakeholders, has made significant strides in the drone industry. Recently, they aided Telefónica, Spain’s leading telecommunications company, in securing authorization from the Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA), the Spanish Civil Aviation Authority. This milestone marks the approval of Spain’s first fully remote drone-in-a-box operation that can function beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
This achievement is not just a regulatory win; it positions Spain as a frontrunner in BVLOS drone operations. These drones, equipped for surveillance and environmental monitoring, can significantly benefit society by aiding in fire prevention and supporting emergency services. The implications of this technology are profound, as it can enhance public safety and environmental protection.
Telefónica Tests Drone-in-a-Box BVLOS Operations for Wildfire Monitoring
The initial operation involved a series of BVLOS drone relocations using a drone-in-a-box system. A pilot, stationed in a control center in Madrid, managed the drone operations from hundreds of kilometers away. The drones were deployed from automated docking stations, showcasing a semi-autonomous operational model. This setup allowed for testing under various airspace conditions and with different aircraft platforms.
Primarily designed for surveillance and fire prevention, these operations are particularly crucial during the summer months when the risk of wildfires escalates. By deploying drones for environmental monitoring, Telefónica can assist emergency services in protecting natural environments, infrastructure, and local communities. Drones can cover vast areas, detect early heat signatures, and provide real-time situational awareness to emergency teams, enhancing their response capabilities.
By facilitating Telefónica’s authorization for this operation, Murzilli Consulting has reinforced Spain’s commitment to leveraging technology for environmental and community protection.
Telefónica Secures a Second BVLOS Drone Authorization for Industrial Perimeter Surveillance
Murzilli Consulting’s Role in Enabling Drone-in-a-Box BVLOS Operations in Spain
Murzilli Consulting played a pivotal role in the approval process for Telefónica’s drone-in-a-box BVLOS operations. Under the leadership of Juan José (Juanjo) Sola, the Chief Regulatory Officer, the consultancy supported Telefónica in developing a compliant operational framework based on the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) methodology.
Juanjo Sola emphasized the importance of ensuring safety in these operations, stating, “These types of applications allow for a very early response, but it is also very important to understand that this must be done under safe conditions.” The comprehensive study presented to AESA analyzed the risks associated with the operation, ensuring that all safety objectives were met.
Through the SORA process, Murzilli Consulting assessed both ground and air risks, identified necessary mitigation measures, and defined operational safety objectives. A crucial aspect of this approval was the ability to conduct operations across diverse airspace environments, accommodating varying population densities and aviation activities.
Luis Antolín Sainz, Senior Consultant for Flight Authorisations at Murzilli Consulting, remarked on the complexity of securing this authorization, calling it a significant milestone for the industry.
Angel Alves, the Head of Drones at Telefónica, highlighted the operational significance of this authorization: “The Operational Authorization we’ve obtained in collaboration with Murzilli Consulting is not only one of the most complex in Spain, but it will also allow us to rapidly scale our drone service across the country.”
This project sets a robust precedent for the safe integration of drone-in-a-box BVLOS operations into real-world environments, enabling quicker and more effective response capabilities that protect natural environments, infrastructure, and communities.
The term “drone-in-a-box” refers to a robotic docking station where a drone is housed when not in use. The drone automatically recharges within the station. When a pilot, potentially located up to 100 kilometers away, initiates an operation, the docking station opens, allowing the drone to autonomously take off and conduct its mission under remote control. While the pilot monitors the operation, the drone is equipped with sensors that enable it to navigate its surroundings semi-autonomously.
Murzilli Consulting continues to solidify its position as a global leader in advanced aviation and drone advisory services. Their expertise encompasses regulatory strategy, operational authorizations such as SORA and LUC, airspace integration, U-space and UTM implementation, certification strategies for new aircraft systems, and broader aviation compliance frameworks. With a strong international presence and a diverse team, the firm has become a trusted partner for drone operators, manufacturers, and aviation authorities.
Murzilli Consulting Strengthens Spain’s Drone Ecosystem
In the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, Murzilli Consulting is instrumental in advancing Spain’s drone ecosystem. They offer services that support regulation, technology, and strategy for drone operators, manufacturers, and service providers. The firm aids stakeholders in developing compliant operational frameworks that align with AESA requirements and the broader European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulatory system.
The collaboration with Telefónica is part of Murzilli Consulting’s expanding portfolio of large-scale aviation and drone innovation projects in Spain. They have previously supported Spain’s first authorized civilian higher-altitude platform system flight, one of Europe’s earliest HAPS operations. This successful operation involved the ApusNeo18 HAPS platform from Mira Aerospace, reaching 2,000 feet over a 30-kilometer offshore route. Following this initial flight, operations are advancing toward higher altitudes and greater complexities.
Murzilli Consulting has also collaborated with Pirineos Drone (now called “Cargo Drone Solutions”) to secure Spain’s first operational authorization for heavy-lift BVLOS logistics. These operations involved BVLOS drone flights carrying significant payloads, necessitating detailed risk assessments, operational safety cases, and compliance with the SORA methodology. Through these successful collaborations, Murzilli Consulting continues to shape the future of advanced aviation operations in Spain.
About Murzilli Consulting
Murzilli Consulting is a digital aviation consultancy operating within the M&K Global AG group. Founded in 2020 by Lorenzo Murzilli, the firm is based in Bern, Switzerland, with additional branches in Germany, the United Kingdom, Hungary, and Spain. Murzilli Consulting is dedicated to helping clients navigate technology, regulation, and compliance strategies, acting as a digital outsourced regulatory department to establish high-performing internal regulatory functions.
The consultancy focuses on emerging technologies in crewed and uncrewed aviation, advanced air mobility, and U-space. Their team provides governments and private enterprises with the tools to establish effective regulatory functions capable of addressing emerging technologies. They also develop and implement regulatory strategies and roadmaps, executing specific projects such as UAS and USSP certification, type certification, design verification, SORA approvals, and CE marking, among other services. Their customer base reflects the trust leading organizations place in their expertise.
About Telefónica
Telefónica, founded in 1924 and headquartered in Madrid, is a leading Spanish telecommunications company and one of the largest operators globally. The company offers a wide array of services, including fixed and mobile telephony, broadband, and digital television.
As a pioneer in technological innovation, Telefónica has invested heavily in fiber-optic networks, 5G infrastructure, and digital transformation initiatives. The company is actively exploring the drone industry, providing advanced connectivity and data solutions that facilitate commercial and industrial drone operations. Their telecommunications infrastructure supports real-time control, data transmission, and AI-driven analytics, enhancing drone applications across various sectors, including agriculture, logistics, and surveillance.
