U.S. Department of Transportation Advances Key Drone Rules
Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy submitted two proposed rules to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Specifically, he submitted Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS) and restricting Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations at a fixed site facility.
These are both critical steps toward making these regulatory improvements a reality, and key stakeholders and leaders have praised this progress. See what they are saying below:
Lisa Ellman, Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA): “The CDA applauds the Trump Administration for advancing the BVLOS and Section 2209 rules forward. Outdated regulations and regulatory paralysis threaten America’s security and aviation leadership. But with the right framework in place, we can unlock the real benefits of safe, secure, and scalable drone operations for the American people, from medical deliveries and emergency response to infrastructure inspection and public safety. The BVLOS rule especially is a critical deregulatory action which will remove ill-suited regulations that artificially constrain American innovation and ingenuity.
Michael Robbins, Chief Executive Officer, Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI): “AUVSI commends Secretary Duffy and Administrator Rocheleau for advancing the long-awaited BVLOS and Section 2209 rulemakings to the White House for review. Finalizing these rules is essential to unlocking the next chapter of uncrewed aviation—driving innovation, improving safety, and maintaining U.S. global competitiveness. While this is not the first time the rules have reached this stage, AUVSI has remained deeply engaged throughout, advocating for our members and pushing to move these policies across the finish line.
Timely action is critical to give operators, manufacturers, public safety agencies, and others the regulatory clarity they need. A national BVLOS framework will enable safe, scalable commercial drone operations, while a Section 2209 rule will protect sensitive infrastructure without stalling industry growth.
We urge OIRA to complete its review quickly. These rules have already undergone significant interagency evaluation, and final action is long overdue. With years of effort behind them, BVLOS and Section 2209 regulations must be finalized now to provide the certainty and momentum the U.S. drone industry needs to grow and lead.
Suzanne Lemieux, Director of Security and Emergency Management, American Petroleum Institute (API): “API is encouraged to see that the FAA’s proposed rulemaking on Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is undergoing interagency review at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. API supports rulemaking in this space and looks forward to the opportunities that BVLOS presents, including safer inspections of our nation’s critical infrastructure, more efficient monitoring of emissions, and aiding response and recovery efforts, among others.
David French, Executive Vice President, National Retail Federation (NRF): “On behalf of the National Retail Federation, I write to thank you for advancing critical regulations regarding certain low-altitude unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations. We look forward to the rule moving forward from the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to being published in the Federal Register for public comment.
NRF, the world’s largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.
As retailers continue to evolve their supply chains to provide the best delivery options, the potential use of drones for product delivery to consumers is becoming an important part of their strategy. A final beyond visual line of sight rule will be critical to unlocking safe and scalable commercial drone operations for many retailers. Drone delivery will make items that people need and want quickly, from common household goods to medications, available for ultrafast delivery. Some consumers are already benefitting from drone delivery, but in order to expand and reach a broader array of customers, operators need regulatory certainty. Achieving certainty will attract new and continued investment in drone technology to the benefit of American consumers. ”
Ian Jefferies, President and CEO, Association of American Railroads (AAR): “Freight railroads applaud the U.S. Department of Transportation for advancing two long-awaited unmanned aircraft systems proposals to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This is a critical step toward enabling routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations, which hold immense potential to enhance infrastructure safety, inspection efficiency, and emergency response for Class I railroads especially. AAR members have long supported the development of clear BVLOS rules that improve safety outcomes and reduce regulatory burdens.
AAR is also pleased to see that the long-delayed rule on the protection of critical infrastructure, like railroads, from unauthorized UAS incursions is integral to the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace. This rule was mandated by Congress in 2016 and its good to see it finally move forward.
We look forward to reviewing the details of the final measures and continuing to work with federal partners to integrate new technologies that enhance safety and benefit the broader transportation network. ”
