The U.S. Transportation Secretary and the TSA have unveiled a new proposed rule for drones that would make it easier for companies to use drones for farming, deliveries, manufacturing and more, called Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).

Touted by Secretary Sean P. Duffy as “unleashing American drone dominance,” the new BVLOS rule does away with individual waivers or exemptions for drone operators to use their drones without a visual line of sight. Traditionally, they were approved by the FAA on a case-by-case basis.

“From drones delivering medicine to unmanned aircraft surveying crops, this technology will fundamentally change the way we interact with the world," said Duffy. "Our new rule will reform outdated regulations that were holding innovators back while also enhancing safety in our skies. Thanks to President Trump, America – not China – will lead the way in this exciting new technology."

The new rule requires drone traffic-management services and exempts drones from operating within airspace of places like airports, space ports and other similar locations. Operations, according to the new rule, would take place at or below 400 feet, and would be allowed to occur above people.

Drones would not need traditional FAA airworthiness certificates; instead of the FAA creating the standards for drone safety and security, the industry standards would become the FAA’s standards for allowing drone operations.

According to the release, the FAA is welcoming the public to comment on the rule for the next sixty days in the Federal Register. However, the Federal Register only shows Trump’s executive order on the issue, not the proposal.

Detractors will surely point to worries over personal safety, surveillance and the potential for drones to reduce the American workforce by automating some jobs.

The Federal Register also shows the work of the Biden Administration in researching and working with industry partners to create the BVLOS rule, as far back as 2022 and 2023.

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