DJI’s Comments on the BVLOS NPRM: “Let’s Make Sure it Works for Everyone”

DJI Warns BVLOS NPRM Could Exclude Its Platforms — With Big Implications for Users

DJI’s Viewpoints: Support for BVLOS, but Exclusion Concerns

In a recent Viewpoints blog post, DJI welcomed the FAA’s proposed Part 108 regulation for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, calling it an important step toward enabling scalable drone operations. But the company warned that, as currently drafted, the rule would exclude many of today’s most widely used platforms, including DJI aircraft.

DJI points to two main issues in the FAA’s draft:

• Country of manufacture limitations. Airworthiness acceptance would only be available to U.S. manufacturers or to those covered by a bilateral airworthiness agreement—agreements that do not currently exist for unmanned aircraft. That effectively disqualifies DJI drones.

• Overemphasis on automation. The draft framework favors highly automated aircraft and may restrict pilot-in-the-loop operations, sidelining many of the systems in use today.

The company also raised concerns about limits on 2.4/5.8 GHz C2 links, new reporting burdens, and the potential return of site-specific approvals that Part 108 was meant to replace. DJI urged operators and agencies to submit comments to the FAA docket before October 6, 2025.

What Part 108 Proposes

The FAA’s BVLOS NPRM, released in August, outlines a new framework to replace case-by-case waivers with a national system of permits (for lower-risk operations) and operating certificates (for higher-risk missions). The rule is designed to expand drone use in inspections, agriculture, public safety, and delivery while maintaining safety in the National Airspace System.

For the FAA, Part 108 sits between Part 107 and traditional aircraft certification: a balance between innovation and oversight. But the details of eligibility—particularly airworthiness acceptance—are among the issues that have sparked debate.

Why DJI’s Exclusion Matters

While most large delivery companies, such as Zipline, Wing, and Amazon, operate their own proprietary aircraft, DJI platforms dominate the fleets of first responders, small businesses, and infrastructure operators.

• Market share. DJI still controls an estimated two-thirds or more of the U.S. commercial drone market.

• Public safety reliance. Fire departments, police agencies, and search-and-rescue teams across the country depend on DJI’s Matrice, Mavic, and other platforms for situational awareness, disaster response, and emergency support.

If DJI drones are excluded from Part 108 approvals, these users could be blocked from conducting routine BVLOS operations with the platforms they already own and train on. For resource-constrained public agencies, replacing entire fleets with alternative systems could be prohibitively expensive and disruptive.

Other Industry Perspectives

DJI is not alone in raising concerns.

• AUVSI has argued that the NPRM does not provide a clear transition path for operators already flying BVLOS under waivers.

• The Commercial Drone Alliance praised the FAA for moving forward but emphasized that broad operator access is critical if Part 108 is to scale the industry.

• Stakeholders at recent summits flagged the risk that too much emphasis on advanced automation could slow adoption in sectors where simpler BVLOS operations—like linear inspection or shielded flights—are already safe and effective.

What Comes Next

The FAA will now gather comments before finalizing the rule. The central debate will be whether airworthiness acceptance should be based on performance and standards compliance—or on country of origin.

For DJI, and for thousands of first responders and commercial operators in the U.S., the outcome could determine whether their current aircraft remain viable for BVLOS.

Read more:

• Commercial Drone Alliance BVLOS Summit Highlights Key Issues for Part 108 Rulemaking
• Matt Sloane Read the Entire FAA Part 108 NPRM So You Don’t Have To—Here’s What Actually Matters
• BVLOS “Transforms Our Entire Business Model” says Drone Delivery CEO