FAA Part 108 BVLOS: What It Means for HoverPoint Drones and Our Clients

FAA Part 108 BVLOS: What It Means for HoverPoint Drones and Our Clients

The FAA has released a proposed rule called Part 108 that would create a new pathway for routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations. It is not final yet, but it is a big step toward normalizing long range drone work in the United States. The rule packages aircraft design, operational approvals, traffic management, and safety oversight into a single framework so operators can scale BVLOS without piling on waivers. (Federal Register)

Under the proposal, drones that meet an FAA airworthiness acceptance based on industry consensus standards could fly BVLOS at low altitude when operators hold the right permit or certificate. This is different from today’s waiver driven approach and is meant to support repeatable commercial use cases such as aerial surveying, infrastructure, agriculture, public safety, and delivery. The proposed framework also sets a maximum aircraft weight eligibility up to 1,320 pounds which covers a wide range of uncrewed platforms. (Federal Register)

The core building blocks in plain English

1. Two ways to operatePart 108 creates operating permits for lower risk missions and operating certificates for higher risk missions. Both require the aircraft to have airworthiness acceptance and both impose common operating rules. The permit path is designed for faster approvals with limits on fleet size, aircraft weight, and scope. Certificates bring deeper FAA oversight and safety management systems for larger or more complex operations. (Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Register)

2. New roles and responsibilitiesCertified operators would stand up two positions called operations supervisor and flight coordinator. The operations supervisor is accountable for overall safety and compliance, while the flight coordinator oversees live flights and can intervene when needed. These roles formalize how organizations manage BVLOS at scale. (Federal Aviation Administration)

3. Traffic services to keep aircraft separatedBVLOS flights would rely on approved Automated Data Service Providers for things like strategic deconfliction and conformance monitoring. The FAA is also proposing a companion rule set for those providers since they are part of the safety case for scaled BVLOS. (Federal Register)

4. Equipment and lightingPart 108 aircraft would need anti collision lighting and to broadcast Remote ID, along with meeting reliability and data recording requirements tied to the new airworthiness acceptance process. (Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Register)

5. Operations over people and where you can flyThe rule outlines categories for operating over people with restrictions that increase as population density rises and requires operators to stage flights from pre designated access controlled locations at or below 400 feet above ground level. (Federal Aviation Administration)

Where the rule stands right now

This is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The FAA has opened a public comment period and summarized the highlights in a short fact sheet. After comments close, the agency will review feedback and publish a final rule at a later date. Until that happens, BVLOS remains governed by existing statutes and waivers. (Federal Register, Federal Aviation Administration)

How HoverPoint Drones plans to use Part 108

Mapping and surveying at corridor scaleWith a Matrice 4E and an operator permit, we could legally connect multiple job sites on a single sortie from a controlled launch point, streamlining monthly progress mapping and earthwork tracking for large developments and aggregate yards. The design is to pair RTK mapping accuracy with repeatable BVLOS routes that reduce time on site while increasing coverage.

Facility and roof inspections beyond line of sightOur Matrice 4T can combine wide, zoom, and thermal views to evaluate long rooflines, distributed campuses, or utility corridors without leapfrogging observers. BVLOS lets us maintain consistent geometry and altitude over complex sites while staying off ladders, lifts, and traffic lanes.

Stockpile volumetrics across multi yard portfoliosInstead of separate flights at each yard, BVLOS makes it practical to count piles across a network on a single plan, deliver a unified CSV of volumes, and keep a defensible visual record for finance and audit teams.

Cinematic context without disruptionWe will continue to use Avata 2 for close in storytelling and training visuals where appropriate under visual line of sight, then link those clips to the BVLOS data products so stakeholders get both the numbers and the narrative.

What this could change for our clients

• Faster cycles and broader coverage so decisions are made with fresher data across larger areas.

• Fewer site disruptions because we can launch from controlled locations and stay clear of work zones. (Federal Aviation Administration)

• Stronger documentation through standardized aircraft reliability, recorded flight data, and consistent reporting. (Federal Register)

• Clear accountability via defined operator roles and FAA approved traffic services that manage separation in busy low altitude airspace. (Federal Aviation Administration)

A simple readiness checklist

• Identify the missions that benefit most from BVLOS such as long roofs, linear assets, and multi site inventories.

• Map controlled launch and recovery areas and cellular coverage along intended routes. (Federal Aviation Administration)

• Plan for Remote ID, lighting, and data retention that align with proposed Part 108 requirements. (Federal Aviation Administration)

• Track the two pathway structure and decide whether your risk profile fits a permit or a certificate. (Federal Register)

A note on timing

Because Part 108 is proposed, the content can change based on public comments before it becomes final. The FAA has posted the full NPRM and its fact sheet for anyone who wants to read or comment. We are following the process closely and will adjust our internal procedures and client workflows as the rule moves forward. (Federal Register, Federal Aviation Administration)

Bottom linePart 108 is the first comprehensive roadmap for routine BVLOS in the United States. It ties aircraft reliability, operator approvals, traffic services, and operating rules together so professional teams like HoverPoint Drones can deliver safer, larger scale results. If your portfolio includes long rooflines, spread out facilities, or multiple material yards, BVLOS can shorten cycle times and raise the quality of the decisions you make. We are ready to help you plan for it today and to deploy as soon as the final rule allows.