FAA Ready to Release Beyond Visual Line of Sight Proposal

Photo Credits: FlytBase

With administrative changes moving in full swing at the FAA, the organisation is prioritising activities surrounding advanced air mobility (AAM), drones, and rulemaking that may enable future technologies, including eVTOL aircraft.  

Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau stressed on the fact that the agency is working to ensure that bureaucracy does not slow things down on rulemaking and other initiatives that could advance new technologies or other safety initiatives despite the ongoing administrative changes. 

Rocheleau also mentioned that the much-anticipated proposals regarding the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) are lined up and are close to completion. BVLOS refers to drone operations where the remote pilot cannot directly see the drone with their naked eyes. This is achieved through the use of visual or other sensors and telemetry links that transmit information about the drone's location, altitude, speed, and direction. 

The acting FAA Administrator also plans to visit the Dallas-Fort Worth area to explore the uncrewed aircraft system traffic management (UTM) technology in place. In July of the previous year, the first authorisations for commercial drone operations using the UTM technology were announced by the FAA.  

Regarding the integration of AAM into the industry, Rocheleau pointed to the authorities’ commitment to getting these aircraft in the air as soon as possible. He recalled the special federal aviation regulation released last year that would enable AAM operations and approvals, and he aims to push the conversation ahead with industry frontrunners.