FAA Proposes Groundbreaking Rules for Beyond-Sight Drone Operations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) unveiled a comprehensive set of proposed regulations on Tuesday. These rules aim to facilitate routine commercial drone flights beyond an operator’s visual line of sight, potentially revolutionizing industries such as package delivery and precision agriculture.
The proposed “Beyond Visual Line of Sight” (BVLOS) rules would permit drones weighing up to 1,320 pounds to operate up to 400 feet above ground level without the need for individual waivers.
“We are making the future of our aviation a reality and unleashing American drone dominance,” said Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “From drones delivering medicine to unmanned aircraft surveying crops, this technology will fundamentally change the way we interact with the world.”
The regulations would establish new requirements for automated data service providers to ensure safe separation between drones and manned aircraft.
At present, operators must secure special case-by-case exemptions for BVLOS flights. This creates significant barriers for commercial drone operations. The proposed rules, developed under President Trump’s “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” executive order, are open for public comment until October 6, 2025. A final rule is expected by February 2026.