Regulations

Agency narrows focus to electronic conspicuity and right-of-way as February 11 deadline approaches Just two days remaining to comment, as the Federal Aviation Administration reopened a narrow portion of its proposed rule to enable routine drone flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) on January 28. The reopened comment period applies to the agency’s BVLOS… Read more: Two Days Left: FAA Reopens BVLOS Comments on Some of the Hardest Airspace Questions

Agency issues fines, license suspensions, and revocations for unsafe and unauthorized drone operations The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took enforcement action against multiple drone operators in 2025 for unsafe and unauthorized flights. The announcement closely follows recent FAA actions to expand flight restrictions through two new broad NOTAMs, including one that limits drone operations over… Read more: FAA Signals Tougher Stance on Unauthorized Drone Operations

Part 108 NPRM and the Two Camps of the Drone Industry: Lessons from Commercial UAV Expo 2025 By DRONELIFE Contributing Editor Paul Rossi Last week, I attended my fourth straight Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, NV. This year’s event was especially notable, not only for the conversations happening on the show floor, but also… Read more: Uniting Perspectives: How Part 108 Can Serve the Entire Drone Industry

Ann Arbor drone policy focuses on citizens’ privacy rights By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill The city of Ann Arbor Michigan recently adopted a policy regulating the city’s use of drones, which emphasizes individuals’ privacy rights and the strict control of data collected during UAV missions. Ann Arbor’s City Council voted unanimously Aug. 7 to… Read more: Ann Arbor Sets Strict Privacy Standards for Drone Use

Industry leaders urge swift progress on drone rulemaking and integration The AUVSI Drone and AAM Policy Symposium, held July 29–30 in Washington, D.C., brought together policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the future of drone and advanced air mobility (AAM) integration in the national airspace. The event, hosted by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems… Read more: AUVSI Drone and AAM Policy Symposium Keynote: Call for Action on BVLOS and National Leadership

Congress Questions FAA Staffing and AI Use Amid Growing Airspace Complexity July 2025 — As the landscape of aviation continues to evolve, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) finds itself under growing scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers. Recent concerns focus on FAA workforce reductions and the agency’s increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, especially as these… Read more: FAA Faces Tough Questions: Are AI and Job Cuts Threatening Airspace Safety?

The “Leading Innovation in Flight Technology (LIFT) Act,” introduced by Rep.Jen Kiggans (R-VA) on July 24, 2025, aims to accelerate U.S. rules for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. The measure would compel the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to set clear performance standards, use artificial intelligence to speed… Read more: The LIFT Act: Finally Opening the Door to Routine BVLOS Drone Flights in the United States?

Senate Confirms Aviation Industry Pick The U.S. Senate today confirmed Bryan Bedford as the next Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, ending a contentious nomination process that largely divided along party lines. Bedford, the longtime CEO of Republic Airways, will lead the agency at a critical moment for American aviation safety and modernization.  The final… Read more: Bryan Bedford Confirmed as FAA Administrator

New OIG Report Highlights Achievements and Persistent Challenges in Beyond Visual Line of Sight Drone Integration The Federal Aviation Administration has made substantial progress in advancing beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations, with approvals increasing from 1,229 in 2020 to 26,870 in 2023, according to a newly released report from the Department of… Read more: FAA Makes Significant BVLOS Progress, But Critical Gaps Remain in Achieving Scalable Operations

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted this morning to advance Bryan Bedford’s nomination as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with a narrow margin of 15 ayes to 13 nos. Bedford, the longtime CEO of Republic Airways, now moves one step closer to leading the agency at a time of heightened… Read more: Senate Committee Confirms Bryan Bedford as FAA Administrator in Divided Vote

Bryan Bedford, the longtime CEO of Republic Airways, is set to appear before the Senate Commerce Committee on June 11 as President Donald Trump’s nominee for Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The hearing comes at a pivotal moment for U.S. aviation, following the deadliest domestic air disaster in over two decades and amid… Read more: Bryan Bedford Faces Senate Scrutiny as Trump’s FAA Nominee

News and Commentary. The Drone Integration and Zoning Act (S.1249), currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate, is raising significant concerns across the commercial drone industry. The bill – another reboot of the Drone Federalism Act first introduced in 2017, and the bill of the same name first introduced in 2019 – would fundamentally shift… Read more: Proposed Drone Integration and Zoning Act (S.1249): Still a Bad Idea

News and Commentary.  U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s recent comments have reignited hopes for long-awaited regulations enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. During a March 14 visit to Amazon’s Prime Air facility in Seattle, Duffy emphasized the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) intent to propose rules expanding drone use for deliveries and other… Read more: FAA Signals Momentum for BVLOS Rulemaking: What It Means for Commercial Drone Applications

President Donald Trump has nominated Bryan Bedford, the longtime CEO of Republic Airways, to serve as the next Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). With over three decades of experience in aviation, Bedford’s nomination has been met with widespread support from industry stakeholders Industry Support AUVSI has published a statement in support of the… Read more: Bryan Bedford Nominated as FAA Administrator: Industry Reacts Positively

DRONELIFE is please to publish this op-ed from Tom Walker, CEO of drone services provider DroneUp.  DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payment for guest posts. America’s Airspace Crisis—Why We Need a National Drone Strategy NOW By Tom Walker, founder and CEO of DroneUp The U.S. Is Flying Blind Into the Drone Era Let’s cut to… Read more: America Is Flying Blind: Why We Need a National Drone Strategy Now

At the National Public Safety UAS Conference, hosted by DRONERESPONDERS, a panel of FAA officials provided critical updates on new waivers, regulatory processes, and efforts to improve access to airspace for public safety drone operations. The session, moderated by industry expert Michelle Duquette, a veteran of MITRE Corp’s UAS program, featured insights from Tim Arel,… Read more: FAA Panel at National Public Safety UAS Conference Highlights New Waivers and Process Improvements

Key Developments in Public Safety UAS Integration The National Public Safety UAS Conference, hosted by DRONERESPONDERS at Busch Gardens, Virginia, featured a keynote fireside chat between Tim Arel, Chief Operating Officer of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization, and Chief (Ret.) Charles Werner, Director of DRONERESPONDERS. The discussion underscored the FAA’s evolving approach to integrating drones… Read more: FAA Chief Operating Officer ATC Highlights Public Safety Drone Advancements at National Public Safety UAS Conference

Pilots Express Concern Over Expanded Use of ADS-B Data The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address growing concerns over the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data. AOPA President and CEO Darren Pleasance recently sent a letter to Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau, asking the agency… Read more: AOPA Calls on FAA to Address ADS-B Privacy and Enforcement Issues

Whitaker’s resignation leaves the FAA without a confirmed leader as the agency faces ongoing safety and infrastructure issues. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker has announced his resignation, effective January 20, 2025, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s inauguration day. Whitaker’s departure leaves the FAA, already grappling with significant challenges, without a confirmed leader at… Read more: FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker to Step Down

Industry Leaders Call for Timely Action to Unlock Drone Potential: BVLOS Draft Moves from DOT to OMB The drone industry stands on the verge of significant growth, but bureaucratic delays threaten to stall its progress. A draft rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, currently under review by the White House Office of… Read more: FAA’s BVLOS Draft Rule at a Critical Crossroads: Update