A proposed new federal rule would allow drones to be flown longer distances out of the operators line of sight<\/b>
\nThe U.S. government unveiled proposals Tuesday to make it easier to use drones over longer distances, in a potentially significant boost for companies such as Amazon which hope to fly packages to customers‘ doors.
The drone industry has long-pressed for the change to existing rules which require companies to obtain a waiver when operating drones beyond the „visual line of sight“
In announcing the new proposed rule change, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, said the Trump administration was „unleashing American drone dominance“ with the U.S. leading the way in the future of technology, instead of China.Why it Matters
Drones are already used in a variety of ways in the U.S. including bolstering search and rescue operations, applying fertilizer, inspecting power lines and railroad bridges, and even delivering packages.
The federal government had already approved 657 waivers to allow companies to use drones out of sight, including Amazon in College Station, Texas, as it develops the technology. The Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rule would make it easier for firms to get approval to use drones in this way.
The move comes more than a decade after Jeff Bezos first unveiled Amazon’s plans for „Prime Air“ delivery drones that would deliver packages directly to customer’s doors 30 minutes after they clicked order.
The move has been welcomed by the industry. Yariv Bash, co-founder and CEO of Flytrex, a Tel Aviv-based drone delivery company that has operations in Texas and North Carolina, called the proposed rule „a foundational milestone that paves the way for drone delivery to scale across more communities in the U.S.“
But the rollout of the technology has not been without problems. In January, Amazon suspended all commercial drone activity in College Station and Tolleson, Arizona, for two months to update the software of its MK30 drones after two crashed in testing, Bloomberg reported. Amazon had upgraded to the MK30 drones after complaints over noise in College Station, that prompted Mayor John Nichols to write to the FAA.What To Know
Under the rule, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would allow drone operators to conduct out-of-sight flights at altitudes below 400 feet, eliminating the need for companies to seek individual waivers for these operations.
Previously, businesses faced a burdensome approval process that industry groups said was stifling innovation. The new proposal streamlines this process, requiring drones to have collision-avoidance software and capping their total weight, including payload, at 1,320 pounds
The proposed regulation prohibits drone flights over large public gatherings and maintains robust input from the Department of Homeland Security to address evolving security challenges, including terrorism and espionage risks.
Drone operators would be required to obtain certification and pass background checks before conducting BVLOS operations.What People Are Saying
Transportation Secretary Duffy, said: „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. 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“
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said: „Normalizing BVLOS flights is key to realizing drones‘ societal and economic benefits. 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.“
Amazon’s public policy team said on X: „We applaud the @WhiteHouse, @USDOT, @FAANewsand Congress for their continued leadership in advancing a framework that supports safe, scalable drone operations like @Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery. We look forward to reviewing the FAA’s proposed rule that is meant to enable routine, safe operations of drones beyond visual line of sight and to participating in this important rulemaking.“
Michael Robbins, President & CEO of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, said: „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.“
Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said: „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.“
Yariv Bash, Flytrex CEO, said, „This rule is a critical step toward unlocking the full potential of drone delivery and ensuring its long-term business viability nationwide.“What Happens Next
The FAA opened the public comment period for the BVLOS rule, which will remain available for 60 days.<\/p>\n