The upcoming FAA regulation known as Part 108 is poised to reshape the UAV landscape by enabling routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, “without the need for case-by-case waivers”. For UAV pilots, businesses, and government agencies, this marks a seismic shift from the limitations of Part 107.
So exactly what’s changing?
- Operators will no longer be tethered to visual range, allowing drones to cover greater distances for inspections, deliveries, and emergency response.
- Expect mandates for detect-and-avoid systems, robust communication links, and remote operations centres.
- A new BVLOS rating will likely be introduced, requiring updated training and proficiency standards.
Industries like energy, agriculture, logistics, and infrastructure stand to gain massive ROI boosts. Long-range inspections, autonomous deliveries, and scalable drone fleets will become viable, reducing operational costs and increasing efficiency.
Agencies can deploy drones for search and rescue, disaster assessment, and surveillance without needing on-site pilots. This opens doors for faster response times and broader coverage.
Part 108 isn’t just a regulatory update, it’s a launchpad for innovation. By removing BVLOS barriers, it empowers the UAV community to expand services, improve safety, and integrate more deeply into national airspace systems.
As the final rule approaches its expected release in September 2025 in the United States, Caribbean stakeholders could begin to prepare for a new frontier of aerial autonomy in our region. For the USA, the sky, quite literally, would no longer the limit: For the Caribbean we hope our governments dont wait years “to see”.
