DOT Moves to Allow More Drones to Fly Out of Operator’s Sight

On August 5, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a proposed rule to allow routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for commercial and public safety purposes, without the need for waivers or exemptions. The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) proposed rule follows the June 6 Executive Order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” which emphasized the desire to “accelerate the safe commercialization of drone technologies and fully integrate UAS into the National Airspace System” and promote a strong domestic drone industry.

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The FAA states the rule would normalize BVLOS drone operations for package delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying, and civic interests including public safety, recreation, and flight testing. Operations would occur at or below 400 feet above ground level, from pre-designated and access-controlled locations, and all drone operators would require FAA approval for the area where they intend to fly.
The FAA consulted with the Department of Homeland Security (HHS) in developing the rule to address national security concerns. The war in Ukraine has highlighted how drones can be used in military attacks, and even terrorist attacks, a major concern as the US prepares to host the World Cup and Olympics.
Amazon in May 2024 received FAA approval to operate drones BVLOS to expand its drone delivery program in College Station, Texas, where the company launched its drone delivery operation in 2022. The proposed rule would likely make it easier for Amazon and other companies to expand its drone delivery operations in other parts of the country.
Key stakeholders in the business and policy space praised the proposed rule, emphasizing the need for safe, clear, and scalable BVLOS operations. “We believe drones are a key part of the future of local commerce, and we need smart, clear rules that let companies like ours operate safely and predictably at scale,” said Harrison Shih, Head of Drone Program, DoorDash.
On July 10, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum rescinding restrictive policies hindering drone production, calling drones “the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation, accounting for most of this year's casualties in Ukraine,” noting that US adversaries produce millions of cheap drones each year while the US military lacks the necessary quantities of lethal small drones.
FAA will accept comments on the proposed rule over the next 60 days, specifically requesting comments on topics including operations safety and restrictions on foreign manufacturers.

DOT Moves to Allow More Drones to Fly Out of Operator’s Sight

August 19, 2025

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The FAA states the rule would normalize BVLOS drone operations for package delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying, and civic interests including public safety, recreation, and flight testing. Operations would occur at or below 400 feet above ground level, from pre-designated and access-controlled locations, and all drone operators would require FAA approval for the area where they intend to fly.

The FAA consulted with the Department of Homeland Security (HHS) in developing the rule to address national security concerns. The war in Ukraine has highlighted how drones can be used in military attacks, and even terrorist attacks, a major concern as the US prepares to host the World Cup and Olympics.

Amazon in May 2024 received FAA approval to operate drones BVLOS to expand its drone delivery program in College Station, Texas, where the company launched its drone delivery operation in 2022. The proposed rule would likely make it easier for Amazon and other companies to expand its drone delivery operations in other parts of the country.

Key stakeholders in the business and policy space praised the proposed rule, emphasizing the need for safe, clear, and scalable BVLOS operations. “We believe drones are a key part of the future of local commerce, and we need smart, clear rules that let companies like ours operate safely and predictably at scale,” said Harrison Shih, Head of Drone Program, DoorDash.

On July 10, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum rescinding restrictive policies hindering drone production, calling drones “the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation, accounting for most of this year's casualties in Ukraine,” noting that US adversaries produce millions of cheap drones each year while the US military lacks the necessary quantities of lethal small drones.

FAA will accept comments on the proposed rule over the next 60 days, specifically requesting comments on topics including operations safety and restrictions on foreign manufacturers.

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