The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has published its long-awaited proposed rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations, a regulatory shift that automotive supply chain teams are watching closely as a potential enabler of drone-powered parts delivery to rural service hubs.
After years of anticipation, the FAA released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Part 108 on August 7, 2025, outlining the proposed regulatory framework for BVLOS drone operations. The NPRM follows Executive Order No. 14307, issued by President Trump on June 6, 2025 - "Unleashing American Drone Dominance" - which directed the FAA to publish a final BVLOS rule within 240 days. According to legal analysis from Pillsbury, a final rule could arrive as early as Q1 2026.
Background
Previously, operators needed individual waivers or exemptions to fly drones beyond visual line of sight - a process that limited commercial scalability. Since 2020, the FAA steadily increased the number of BVLOS waivers issued, from just 6 in 2020 to 122 in 2023, with 190 total as of October 2024. The proposed Part 108 framework seeks to replace this waiver-based system with scalable, performance-based regulations enabling routine BVLOS operations for package delivery, infrastructure inspection, precision agriculture, public safety, and other commercial applications.
At over 700 pages, the proposal represents the most significant development in commercial drone regulation since Part 107 was introduced in 2016. For automotive supply chains, the rule is particularly relevant to time-sensitive parts replenishment at rural dealerships and service centers where ground logistics are slow and costly.
Key Details for Auto Parts Operators
The proposed rule adopts a performance- and risk-based approach, recognizing the diversity of drone types and operations. Rather than a one-size-fits-all framework, it scales regulatory requirements to the operation type - higher-risk operations require an operating certificate, while lower-risk operations may qualify for an FAA permit.
Operations would occur at or below 400 feet above ground level, launching from pre-designated, access-controlled locations. Operators must secure FAA approval for their intended flight areas, specifying boundaries, daily operation estimates, and zones for takeoff, landing, and loading. The proposed weight limit for Part 108 operations is 110 pounds - double the 55-pound ceiling under the existing Part 107 small-drone rule, expanding the range of auto components eligible for transport.
In a departure from traditional aviation, the proposal does not require operators to hold FAA pilot certificates. Instead, it establishes two key positions - an Operations Supervisor and a Flight Coordinator - reflecting the high levels of automation in advanced drone systems. All BVLOS operators must submit to enhanced TSA security threat assessments, including criminal history and intelligence-related database checks, and drone equipment must broadcast remote identification.
Real-world validation of the automotive use case is already underway. Drone company blueflite is leading a program focused on delivering automotive parts by air to Ford dealerships in Southeast Michigan, backed by a $740,000 grant from Michigan's Advanced Air Mobility Activation Fund. The initiative aims to test autonomous drones moving high-demand car parts within a 12-mile radius of Jack Demmer Ford locations, flying parts over traffic rather than through it. The project is expected to generate operational insights that inform policy and serve as a blueprint for scaling drone logistics across the automotive sector.
Industry concerns about the NPRM persist. After the 60-day comment period closed on October 6, 2025, the FAA received over 3,000 public comments reflecting widespread - but not uniformly positive - perspectives from stakeholders. Industry organizations expressed concern that proposed operator requirements - particularly full safety management systems, certificated personnel, and organizational-level approvals - create disproportionate burdens for smaller entities, with the framework appearing designed primarily for large, well-capitalized operators.
Outlook
A final BVLOS rule could be published in Q1 2026, based on the 240-day timeline established by the June 2025 executive order. The drone package delivery market is estimated at $0.97 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $4.78 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 37.57%. For automotive supply chain teams, the priority now is monitoring the rulemaking calendar, evaluating airspace infrastructure at candidate rural hub locations, and assessing whether current drone fleets or partnerships can meet the proposed Part 108 airworthiness acceptance standards before the final rule takes effect.
