FAA Proposes Part 108: A New Framework for “Beyond Visual Line of Sight” Drone Operations
Companies that manufacture, deploy, or rely on commercial drone technology should take note: the FAA has proposed Part 108, a new rule that would establish a dedicated regulatory framework for routine “beyond visual line of sight” (“BVLOS”) operations. If finalized, this could be the most significant development in U.S. drone regulation since the adoption of Part 107. Currently, BVLOS operations—critical for applications like package delivery, infrastructure inspection, energy operations, and agriculture—are governed by a case-by-case waiver process that has limited scalability. Part 108 seeks to change that.
The proposal is now undergoing review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (“OIRA”), one of the final steps before publication of the rule. While Part 108 remains subject to revision, businesses that manufacture, deploy, or rely on drone technology should begin evaluating how the proposed framework may affect future operations.