FAA Requests Public Feedback on Applications for Beyond Visual Line of Sight Drone Flights
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken a significant step towards expanding drone operations by publishing a new proposed rule aimed at safely normalizing Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations in the national airspace system. Unveiled on August 5, 2025, by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Brian Bedford, the proposal is currently open for public comment.
Under the proposed rule, BVLOS operations up to 400 feet above ground level would be allowed for drones weighing up to 1,320 pounds, including payload. The FAA intends to replace the previous waiver- and exemption-based case-by-case approach with standardized safety requirements under a new Part 108 rule.
Operators would need to obtain either an operating permit for lower-risk, simpler operations or an operating certificate for more complex operations involving larger drones and fleets, including operations over people. Commercial activities such as package delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying, public safety, flight testing, and recreation would be included.
Flights must originate from pre-designated, access-controlled locations with FAA approval of operational areas, including boundaries, activity volume, communications coverage, and contingency procedures for lost command or control.
Safety in BVLOS operations is a top priority, and the FAA's proposals reflect key safety priorities that align with recommendations made by expert committees such as the UAS BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). Comprehensive operational and manufacturing standards, requirements for maintaining safe separation from other aircraft, operational authorizations linked to clear pilot/operator responsibilities, security measures, information reporting and recordkeeping, case-by-case evaluation, and financial threshold reporting for incidents causing damage of $500 or more to property are all part of the FAA's approach.
The comment period for this proposed rule is open for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register, after which the FAA will consider feedback before finalizing the rule. Notable companies such as Phoenix Air Unmanned, UPS Flight Forward Inc., and Zipline have already submitted requests for exemptions under the new rule.
The FAA is also currently considering three proposals for UAS deconfliction systems and is seeking comments on various aspects of BVLOS operations, including the type of notification operators should provide to local aviation communities and when and where to authorize shielded operations.
This proposed rule marks a significant step forward in the FAA's ongoing process of crafting the policy for BVLOS operations, emphasizing operational control, security, and risk mitigation consistent with recommendations made by expert committees. For more details, please refer to the FAA's official docket for public comments on the proposed rule.
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