The United States is proposing new drone regulations—FAA Part 108—that could reshape how professionals fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). While aimed at streamlining BVLOS operations, the draft rules risk sidelining DJI drones, which dominate Caribbean skies for agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and emergency response.
Under Part 108, only drones made in the US or in countries with bilateral agreements would qualify. That excludes DJI, despite its global safety record and widespread use. Caribbean operators who rely on DJI for aerial mapping, crop monitoring, or promotional content may not be directly affected by US law—but the ripple effects matter.
If US agencies phase out DJI, Caribbean governments may face pressure to follow suit. Worse, if DJI scales back support or updates due to US restrictions, local users could lose access to critical features. The FAA also proposes banning common radio frequencies and favouring high automation—moves that could make manual flying obsolete and limit flexibility for small Caribbean businesses.
What’s practical for the region? Caribbean regulators should monitor Part 108 but focus on scalable, inclusive policies. That means supporting manual and semi-automated flight, maintaining access to trusted global brands like DJI, and ensuring compliance frameworks reflect real-world risks—not geopolitical tensions.
BVLOS is the future, but only if the Caribbean builds it on its own terms. Let the US debate play out, but don’t let it dictate how we fly.
