Public Comment

Beyond Visual Line of Sight, or BVLOS, refers to drone operations beyond where the operator can directly see the aircraft. The FAA proposed a rule to normalize BVLOS drone operations, including requirements for operations, aircraft manufacturing, separation from other aircraft, authorizations, security, reporting, and recordkeeping. Supporters say clearer BVLOS rules could help package delivery, inspections, agriculture, emergency response, and infrastructure work. Critics worry about safety, noise, privacy, local land-use impacts, and low-altitude airspace becoming crowded. Drones can be useful, especially for emergencies and inspections, but routine flights over neighborhoods need more than industry optimism. The rules should be clear before the sky gets crowded.

How should federal rules handle routine long-distance drone operations?

Overall results

1
55% support · excluded by 3%
7

A delivery drone is also a flying sensor. Rules should limit unnecessary data collection and retention.

2
53% support
7

A waiver system is slower, but it forces operators to prove safety before routine flights become normal.

3
51% support · excluded by 9%
7

Companies need clear national rules before they invest in useful services like medical delivery and inspections.

4
46% support · excluded by 3%
7

Start with search, fire, utilities, bridges, and emergency deliveries before routine consumer packages.

5
44% support · excluded by 6%
7

FAA can control air safety, but cities should still have a say over launch sites, noise, and neighborhood impacts.

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