FAA Part 108 is the proposed framework that aims to normalize routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations in the United States. It establishes performance based rules for safe scalable flights at low altitudes and creates a clearer path for aircraft design approvals and operational permissions tied to real world risk. The proposal was published as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register on August 7, 2025 with comments due by October 6, 2025.
Unlocking New Potential: The Purpose of Part 108
The FAA explains that the rule would establish performance based requirements to enable routine BVLOS operations while maintaining safety across the national airspace system. It is part of a broader integration plan directed by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and supported by a formal BVLOS fact sheet and an NPRM overview published by the agency.
- Normalize BVLOS operations so operators have a predictable path for missions such as package delivery, agriculture aerial surveying, public safety and infrastructure inspection.
- Shift to performance based standards where aircraft makers and operators demonstrate that equipment and procedures meet measurable safety outcomes rather than follow one size fits all prescriptions.
- Introduce streamlined airworthiness acceptance through a safety acceptance certificate pathway based on industry consensus standards to reduce cost and accelerate innovation while keeping risk controls in place.
- Define operational responsibilities including requirements for Remote ID lighting reporting and record keeping to support safety oversight and airspace awareness.
The Driving Forces Behind Part 108
Part 108 is the culmination of years of FAA and industry collaboration, drawing directly on prior recommendations and a congressional mandate to safely normalize BVLOS operations.
The proposal is the next step in a long process to bring advanced drone operations into the airspace safely. In 2022 the FAA convened a BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee that delivered recommendations for scaling routine BVLOS through risk based frameworks technology mitigations and operational approvals. Part 108 draws on this groundwork along with the 2024 congressional mandate to normalize BVLOS.
The Evolution of BVLOS: From Past to Future
Historically, under Part 107 rules, commercial drone operations have been largely confined to visual line of sight, with beyond visual line of sight flights requiring difficult-to-obtain waivers. This limitation has significantly constrained operational range, scale, and automation for various use cases.
To address this, the present NPRM proposes a predictable pathway for BVLOS through performance-based requirements, equipment standards, and risk-proportional authorization processes.
Looking ahead, if finalized, Part 108 would enable routine and scalable BVLOS activities across numerous sectors, coordinating with other agencies on security measures to protect national airspace and interests.
Core Components of the Part 108 Framework
- Aircraft compliance through consensus standards. Manufacturers would design and test aircraft against accepted standards and provide operating limitations tied to those standards. The FAA could accept the aircraft through a safety acceptance process instead of the classic type certification route for this class of missions.
- Operational approvals that scale. Operators would use defined authorization pathways matched to mission risk and airspace complexity with documentation reporting and oversight to ensure continued compliance.
- Technology requirements for awareness and visibility. The proposal highlights Remote ID and lighting along with traffic management services that can help keep drones separated from other aircraft.
- Operator roles and automation. Analyses of the NPRM note a move toward supervised automated operations with a qualified supervisor overseeing systems rather than a traditional pilot role in all cases which aligns with a scalable automation vision.
Key Advantages of the FAA Part 108 Proposal
Part 108 provides key advantages like predictable approvals, faster aircraft acceptance, risk based oversight, and support for automation to safely scale the commercial drone industry.
The proposed Part 108 framework introduces several significant advantages designed to accelerate the safe integration of BVLOS operations into the national airspace. These benefits are poised to transform the commercial drone industry by providing clarity and reducing barriers to scale.
- Predictability for Growth: The rule establishes clearer, more predictable approval paths that should reduce the need for ad hoc waivers. This stability encourages investment in advanced operations for sectors like linear infrastructure inspection, agriculture, and public safety response.
- Faster Aircraft Acceptance: By leveraging an acceptance process based on industry consensus standards, the proposal could significantly shorten timelines and lower costs for deploying capable new platforms, all while maintaining rigorous safety assurance.
- Risk-Aligned Oversight: A shift to performance-based rules allows the FAA and industry to focus on mitigating the most critical risks, such as airspace awareness and kinetic energy limits, moving away from rigid, one-size-fits-all procedures.
- Promotion of Automation: The framework anticipates and encourages more autonomous operations by supporting the development of UAS Traffic Management (UTM) services, enabling scalable operations across corridors and communities.
Aligning Our Operations with the Future of BVLOS
Fair Lifts has long emphasized safe, compliant operations, and our approach is built to meet both the letter and spirit of FAA Part 108. This proactive alignment ensures our clients can confidently capture the full benefits of BVLOS missions without introducing new risks to their projects or communities. Our strategy is built on four core pillars that dovetail perfectly with the proposed rule:
Aircraft and Equipment Readiness: Our fleet is prepped for Part 108, utilizing platforms that meet emerging industry standards and fully integrate Remote ID, lighting, and airspace awareness tech for seamless regulatory acceptance.
Documentation and Data Integrity: We uphold rigorous record-keeping for maintenance, operations, and reporting that exceeds NPRM expectations for transparency, ensuring compliance is built into our workflow.
Scalable Operational Planning: Our risk-based planning and airspace coordination align with the rule’s performance-based structure, reducing lead times and enabling predictable scheduling for recurring BVLOS missions.
Training for Supervised Automation: Our personnel are trained in supervised automation, using clear protocols and checklists that directly match the operational model anticipated by the new rule.
This alignment delivers key client benefits: extensive coverage with fewer deployments, superior data from higher-frequency flights, and a robust compliance posture that meets all stakeholder and insurance requirements with confidence.
Embracing the Future of BVLOS
Part 108 establishes a new performance-based framework for scalable BVLOS operations, and Fair Lifts is already aligned with its core principles to guide clients toward efficient and compliant mission success.
FAA Part 108 represents a foundational shift in U.S. drone regulations, moving from restrictive, case-by-case waivers toward a normalized, performance-based framework for safe, scalable Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations. This evolution promises greater predictability for the industry, streamlined aircraft acceptance, and a clear path to unlocking the full potential of automated drone missions across countless sectors.
As this new era of aviation takes shape, Fair Lifts Unmanned Aerial Services stands ready. Our UAV operations, from equipment and training to planning and documentation, are already aligned with the core principles of the proposed Part 108 framework. We are prepared to help our clients navigate this transition seamlessly and leverage its advantages today.
Contact our team to explore how we can map your BVLOS survey, inspection, or emergency response project to the most compliant and efficient path forward under FAA Part 108.