The latest news surrounding FAA Part 108, the proposed regulation designed to enable routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations, indicates that the industry remains in a holding pattern while awaiting publication of the final rule. According to recent regulatory updates, the FAA’s Part 108 rule remains under review and has not yet entered into force.
Part 108 was first proposed in August 2025 as part of the FAA’s effort to move drone operators away from the current case-by-case waiver system under Part 107. The proposed framework would establish a scalable path for commercial BVLOS operations, supporting applications such as drone delivery, infrastructure inspection, agriculture, surveying, and public safety missions.
One of the most significant recent developments is the FAA’s continued expansion of its BEYOND Phase 2 programme. In August 2026, the agency opened applications for additional government-led testing partners to help gather operational data needed for future BVLOS integration. However, the FAA has stressed that participation in BEYOND does not grant Part 108 operating authority and does not replace existing approval requirements.
Industry stakeholders remain optimistic because a final Part 108 rule is expected to replace many one-off approvals with a more predictable regulatory framework. Major drone delivery and advanced aviation companies continue preparing for expanded operations, anticipating that Part 108 will accelerate commercial drone adoption across the United States once finalised.
For now, operators seeking BVLOS authority must continue using existing FAA approval pathways, primarily through Part 107 waivers, until the final Part 108 regulation is formally issued.
