Key Facts:
Sphere has achieved Gold status under the Flight Safety Foundation's BARS program, the highest designation available to remotely piloted aircraft operators
The BVLOS Operational Category endorsement recognises operators approved to fly beyond visual line of sight under the BARS program. Holding it alongside Gold puts Sphere among a small group of operators worldwide.
Gold requires a minimum of three consecutive annual audits under the RPAS Standard, Comprehensive protocol, the most rigorous audit framework available to RPAS operators
BARS accreditation is a formal procurement requirement for many of Australia's largest resource and mining companies
Sydney, Australia - Sphere has achieved Gold status under the Flight Safety Foundation's Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) program, the highest designation available to remotely piloted aircraft operators. Sphere also received the BVLOS Operational Category endorsement, which makes it a leader amongst operators.
Gold status requires a minimum of three consecutive annual audits under the RPAS Standard, Comprehensive protocol, with all priority non-conformities closed within each cycle. The protocol covers an operator's Safety Management System, flight crew qualifications and currency, maintenance and airworthiness practices, operational procedures, emergency response, and organisational governance. An accredited BARS auditor verifies that documented procedures are embedded in how the operation actually runs.
Sphere's first BARS audit was in early 2024. Three consecutive audits later, the Flight Safety Foundation has verified that Sphere's documented standards match how the operation runs.
The BVLOS Operational Category endorsement recognises operators approved to fly beyond visual line of sight under the BARS program. Holding it alongside Gold puts Sphere among a small group of operators worldwide.
"Achieving BARS Gold is a direct reflection of the standards our operations team holds itself to every single day. It's the highest designation in the Flight Safety Foundation's program, and it doesn't come from a single great audit, it comes from years of consistent, disciplined work. I'm incredibly proud of what our Chief Remote Pilot, Elliot Cummins, and the Flight Operations team have built, and proud that the rest of Sphere has stood behind them to make it possible." Paris Cockinos, CEO, Sphere
BARS accreditation is a formal procurement requirement for many of Australia's largest resource and mining companies. Gold status eases procurement for clients within BARS Member Organisation frameworks and matters in tenders where aviation safety credentials are formally assessed. For clients deploying HubX and HubT at remote mine sites, critical infrastructure, and emergency response operations, an accredited auditor has verified Sphere's safety systems, procedures, and people.
"BARS Gold means an independent, accredited auditor has verified that how we say we operate is how we actually operate. In high-risk environments, that distinction matters. Our clients don't just have our word, they have the Flight Safety Foundation's." Elliot Cummins, Chief Remote Pilot, Sphere
Because Sphere has demonstrated sustained compliance across three consecutive cycles, the next audit is a monitoring audit rather than a full Comprehensive renewal. The operations team can put that time toward expanding client deployments run from our Remote Operations Centre, with more sites and broader BVLOS coverage supporting more complex missions.
