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Operational Risks

Operational risks relate to flight operations, regulatory compliance, and field conditions.

O1: ANAC BVLOS Approval Delays​

Level: High

Description​

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations require ANAC authorization under Resolution 550/2025. Regulatory approval timelines are uncertain and may delay operational readiness.

Mitigation​

  1. Aerotec leadership: Regulatory relationship is Aerotec's domain
  2. Early application: Submit authorization requests immediately
  3. Parallel development: Platform development independent of flight ops
  4. VLOS interim: Limited operations within visual range during approval

Contingency​

  • Develop and test platform with simulated/historical data
  • Phase 1-2 can proceed without active flight operations
  • Adjust timeline expectations if approval delayed

O2: Weather and Environmental Conditions​

Level: Medium

Description​

Vaca Muerta's desert environment presents operational challenges:

  • High winds: Frequent dust storms and sustained winds
  • Extreme temperatures: Hot summers, cold winters
  • Dust: Sensor contamination and visibility reduction
  • Limited shelter: Remote sites lack infrastructure

Mitigation​

  1. Weather monitoring: Automated flight hold during adverse conditions
  2. Equipment ratings: Hardware rated for environmental conditions
  3. Maintenance protocols: Regular cleaning and calibration
  4. Redundant sensors: Multiple data sources reduce single-point failures

Contingency​

  • Conservative flight windows during extreme weather seasons
  • Indoor/protected sensor deployments where feasible
  • Manual inspection backup during extended weather events

O3: Remote Site Connectivity​

Level: Medium

Description​

Vaca Muerta's remote locations have limited connectivity infrastructure:

  • Satellite dependency: Primary connectivity for many sites
  • Bandwidth limitations: Large data uploads challenging
  • Latency: Satellite latency impacts real-time capabilities
  • Reliability: Weather and equipment affect uptime

Mitigation​

  1. Data compression: Optimize upload sizes
  2. Prioritization: Critical alerts before full data
  3. Store-and-forward: Queue uploads during outages
  4. Redundant connectivity: Multiple paths where available

Contingency​

  • Extended SLA for sites with connectivity challenges
  • Local processing for immediate alerts
  • Scheduled uploads during connectivity windows

O4: 24/7 Coverage Sustainability​

Level: Medium

Description​

Continuous 24/7 autonomous operations require sustained reliability:

  • Aircraft availability: Maintenance, battery cycles
  • Dock reliability: Charging, weather protection
  • Staff coverage: Monitoring and response around the clock

Mitigation​

  1. Redundant fleet: Spare aircraft per site
  2. Preventive maintenance: Scheduled servicing
  3. Monitoring systems: Health alerts before failures
  4. Shift planning: Adequate RTIC staffing

Contingency​

  • Reduced coverage during maintenance windows
  • Manual inspection backup
  • Prioritized site coverage during equipment issues