Federal Aviation Administration
US federal agency regulating civil aviation; Part 108 BVLOS rule reshaped commercial drone operations.
Last refreshed: 30 March 2026
How is the FAA reshaping who can fly drones and where?
Latest on Federal Aviation Administration
- What does the FAA do with drones?
- Regulates all civil drone operations in the US, including certification, airspace access, and the new Part 108 BVLOS framework.Source: background
- What is FAA Part 108?
- The first permanent rule for beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone operations, published March 2026. Unlocks commercial delivery and inspection at scale.Source: background
- Can drones fly beyond line of sight in the US?
- Yes, under the new Part 108 framework published in March 2026. Previously BVLOS required individual waivers from the FAA.Source: background
- Does the FAA ban Chinese drones?
- The FAA controls airworthiness and operational approvals. Combined with the FCC Covered List blocking RF certifications, foreign drones face a regulatory squeeze.Source: background
Background
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates all civil aviation in the United States, including the rapidly growing commercial drone sector. Its Part 108 final rule, published in March 2026, established the first permanent framework for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations, unlocking commercial delivery, infrastructure inspection, and agricultural services at scale.
The FAA also administers the equipment certification process that intersects with the FCC Covered List action against Chinese drone manufacturers. While the FCC blocks RF equipment authorisations, the FAA controls airworthiness and operational approvals. Together they form a regulatory squeeze on foreign-made UAS in US airspace.
The agency's approach to drone regulation has been criticised as too slow by industry (BVLOS took years) and too permissive by privacy advocates concerned about surveillance capabilities.