PART 108 STATUS: as of OCT. 1, 2026
Final rule in development. Not yet effective.
The FAA published its proposed BVLOS rule in August 2025 and is currently completing the final rulemaking process.
FAA Part 108:
The Future of Beyond Visual Line of Sight Drone Operations
Part 108 is the FAA's proposed regulatory framework for routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations in the United States.
The rule is intended to create a more predictable, scalable pathway for operating drones beyond the pilot's visual line of sight, without requiring operators to obtain an individual waiver or exemption for every type of BVLOS operation.
The FAA's proposed Part 108 framework could significantly expand how drones are used for inspection, surveying, agriculture, public safety, infrastructure monitoring, filmmaking, package delivery, and other commercial and public-sector applications.
Important: Part 108 is currently a proposed rule. The final requirements, effective dates, and compliance obligations may differ from the proposal described on this website.
What Is FAA Part 108?
Today, most small commercial drone operations are conducted under FAA Part 107. Part 107 generally requires the remote pilot to maintain visual line of sight with the aircraft unless the FAA grants a waiver or other authorization.
Part 108 is intended to establish a dedicated regulatory framework for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)operations.
Instead of treating BVLOS as an exception requiring individual approvals, the proposed framework would establish standardized requirements under which qualifying operators could conduct certain BVLOS operations.
The FAA describes the objective as creating a predictable, clear pathway for safe, routine, and scalable UAS operations.
In simple terms:
Part 107:
Pilot generally needs to keep the drone within visual line of sight.
Part 108:
Would establish a regulatory pathway for certain operations where the drone can fly beyond the pilot's visual line of sight.
Why Does Part 108 Matter?
BVLOS is one of the biggest opportunities — and challenges — in the commercial drone industry.
A pilot standing on the ground can only directly observe a drone for a limited distance. Requiring the pilot to maintain visual contact can make many potentially valuable drone operations difficult, expensive, or impractical.
Routine BVLOS capability could allow a drone operation to cover substantially larger areas or conduct missions where the aircraft travels beyond the pilot's direct visual observation.
Potential applications include:
Infrastructure inspection
Utility and pipeline inspection
Agriculture
Mapping and surveying
Construction
Public safety
Search and rescue
Environmental monitoring
Energy facilities
Transportation infrastructure
Package delivery
Aerial data collection
Film and media production
Drone demonstrations and flight testing
The FAA specifically identifies applications including package delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying, civic-interest operations, training, recreation and flight testing.
Part 108 Status: Where Things Stand Now
August 2025
The FAA and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published the proposed “Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations” rule.
The proposal was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2025, as 90 FR 38212, under FAA Docket FAA-2025-1908 and RIN 2120-AL82.
October 2025
The original public-comment period closed October 6, 2025.
January 2026
The FAA reopened the comment period to obtain additional input concerning electronic conspicuity and right-of-way issues.
July 2026
The FAA continued development of the final rule. Regulatory-review records currently list Part 108 in the Final Rule Stage.
September 2026
The FAA has been conducting meetings concerning the Part 108 final rule, including meetings recorded on September 14–22, 2026.
Current status
Part 108 has not yet become an effective final regulation.
The final rule could change from the 2025 proposal before publication.