In a major shift, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been granting more waivers for drone flights beyond the visual line of sight, signaling a new era in the use of drone technology. Amazon’s Prime Air program recently received approval to fly drones beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight in parts of Texas, and numerous police departments across the country have been granted similar waivers, allowing them to fly drones miles away.

However, the most significant change is yet to come. By September 16, the FAA must issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the use of drones beyond a visual line of sight. This rule will apply to all users of the airspace and aims to minimize safety risks associated with drone flights.

The FAA was mandated to come up with this rule in 2018 but has yet to deliver. The September 16 deadline was set by the latest FAA Reauthorization Act, which mandates the agency to release a proposed rule within 16 months.

So, who is shaping this crucial rule? An advisory committee comprising 87 organizations, including commercial operators like Amazon and FedEx, drone manufacturers like Skydio, tech interests like Airbus and T-Mobile, as well as privacy groups and academic researchers.

While the exact content of the proposed rule remains uncertain, experts in the drone industry believe that the FAA has become more receptive to drones and anticipate the rule to reflect this shift. If the rule makes it easier to fly drones beyond the visual line of sight, it will benefit various drone pilots, including search and rescue teams who can use drones for emergency situations without the need for a waiver.

However, the implications of more drones flying beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight are vast. It could pave the way for widespread drone deliveries from companies like Amazon and UPS, as well as increased surveillance operations by local governments and law enforcement agencies.