Sphere has achieved Gold status under the Flight Safety Foundation's Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) program. It's the highest designation available to remotely piloted aircraft operators. We also received the BVLOS Operational Category endorsement, which makes Sphere one of four Australian operators to hold both.
Ten RPAS operators worldwide hold a BVLOS Operational Category endorsement, and six of them are in Australia. Four of those six hold Gold. Sphere is one of the four.
An operator can't reach Gold from one audit. It takes at least three consecutive annual audits under the RPAS Standard, Comprehensive protocol, which is the most rigorous audit framework available to RPAS operators, and every priority non-conformity has to be closed within each cycle.
The protocol covers the whole operation: the Safety Management System, flight crew qualifications and currency, maintenance and airworthiness, operational procedures, emergency response and organisational governance. An accredited BARS auditor checks that the documented procedures are actually followed in day-to-day operations.
Sphere's first BARS audit was in early 2025. After three consecutive audits, the Flight Safety Foundation has verified that what we've documented is how we work.
"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 Elliot and the ops team have built, and proud that the rest of Sphere has stood behind them to make it possible." Paris Cockinos, CEO, Sphere
Many of Australia's largest resource and mining companies make BARS accreditation a formal procurement requirement. Gold status makes procurement easier for clients working within BARS Member Organisation frameworks, and it counts in tenders that formally assess aviation safety credentials.
For clients running HubX and HubT at remote mine sites, critical infrastructure and emergency response operations, an accredited auditor has independently checked 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." [Name, title TBC]
Sphere has passed three consecutive cycles, so the next audit is a monitoring audit, not a full Comprehensive renewal. The operations team will use the freed-up time to take on more client sites and more complex BVLOS missions.
Sphere's BARS registration is current until 18 February 2027.
If you'd like to talk about our Hub solutions or remote operations, get in touch with our team via the form below or on 1800 119 111.
