Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy unveiled the new proposed rule – Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). This rule is intended to unleash American innovation and safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace system. 

For more information about the proposed rule, see the DOT fact sheet.

“We are making the future of our aviation a reality and unleashing American drone dominance. From drones delivering medicine to unmanned aircraft surveying crops, this technology will fundamentally change the way we interact with the world,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Our new rule will reform outdated regulations that were holding innovators back while also enhancing safety in our skies. Thanks to President Trump, America – not China – will lead the way in this exciting new technology.” 

Previously, operators would have to get individual waivers or exemptions to use their drones without visual line of sight. These were approved on a case-by-case basis, and the process was cumbersome. By eliminating these requirements for BVLOS operations, the proposal will significantly expand the use-case for drone technologies in areas like: manufacturing, farming, energy production, filmmaking, and the movement of products including lifesaving medications.   

“Normalizing BVLOS flights is key to realizing drones’ societal and economic benefits,”said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “Package delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying, public safety, recreation, and flight testing are just some of the uses we expect to see as we enable these innovative technologies while maintaining the safety of our National Airspace System.” 

“Today’s NPRM is a bold, forward-looking step that helps unlock the full potential of BVLOS drone operations, transforming how we monitor infrastructure, deliver critical supplies, advance precision agriculture, and speed up emergency response. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are giving innovators a predictable, scalable pathway to conduct BVLOS missions, to ensure that the United States remains the global leader in drone technology. We look forward to public comment on this critical rulemaking,”said Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. 

The proposal also includes updated requirements for manufacturers, operators, and drone traffic-management services to keep BVLOS drones safely separated from each other and from manned aircraft.  

In a statement, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) commented:

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) applauds the White House, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, and Transportation Security Administration for releasing the long-awaited draft rule, or Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), on Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS, or drones), also known as Part 108.  

The release of the draft rule follows closely after extensive stakeholder dialogue at the AUVSI Drone & AAM Policy Symposium.  Across two days of in-depth discussion, the need for a clear BVLOS framework remained a top priority for unlocking industry growth and public benefit. 

“For too long, the United States has lacked a clear regulatory path to expand safe, scalable BVLOS operations,” said Michael Robbins, President & CEO of AUVSI. “This draft rule is a critical step toward enabling drone operations that will enhance safety, transform commercial services, and strengthen public safety with drones as a force multiplier. A final risk-based BVLOS rule will unlock new commercial and public safety applications, including infrastructure inspections, precision agriculture, package delivery, disaster response, and more, enhancing public safety, driving billions in economic growth, and creating high-quality jobs.” 

This draft rule aligns with the Trump Administration’s “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” Executive Order, which directed the FAA to move swiftly in enabling BVLOS operations and advancing U.S. drone leadership, as well as a Congressional directive to finalize the Part 108 rulemaking. The Executive Order and the release of the Part 108 NPRM mark long overdue and critically meaningful steps forward for the uncrewed aviation industry. 

AUVSI will work with its members to fully digest the entirety of the rule and will have more detailed comments in the near future.  

AUVSI thanks President Trump, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau, Acting TSA Administrator Ha McNeill, and the White House for their leadership in prioritizing this essential rulemaking. The timeline established by the Drone Dominance Executive Order gives the FAA 240 days to finalize the rule—and that clock is now ticking. 

“AUVSI looks forward to reviewing the draft BVLOS rule and submitting industry comments within the prescribed timeline,” said Robbins. “Timely finalization of this rule is essential. It will bring clarity to the industry, unlock real public value, and ensure the U.S. leads in the safe integration of uncrewed systems.”