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FAA Eyes Beyond Visual Line of Sight Approvals for 4 More Firms

Phoenix Air Unmanned, uAvionix, Zipline, and UPS Flight Forward have applied for BVLOS waivers.

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Key Takeaways:

  • The FAA has opened a public comment period for four major aviation companies (Phoenix Air Unmanned, uAvionix, Zipline, and UPS Flight Forward) seeking waivers for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations.
  • These BVLOS waivers would permit drones to fly outside the remote pilot's direct view, enabling expanded operations for applications such as drone delivery and infrastructure inspection.
  • The FAA is using data gathered from these and other waivered operations to develop a comprehensive BVLOS regulatory framework, as a final rule for these operations is not yet in sight.
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More than a year after the FAA published the final, nearly 400-page report from its beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) advisory rulemaking committee (ARC), the agency has opened the door to expanded unmanned operations for four major aviation players.

On Tuesday, the FAA announced it is seeking public comment on four requests for BVLOS waivers that would allow remote pilots to fly their aircraft where they can’t see them. The requests come from aerial data acquisition firm Phoenix Air Unmanned, unmanned aviation services provider uAvionix, and drone delivery firms Zipline and UPS Flight Forward.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.

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