The vision of drones quietly delivering packages to doorsteps, bypassing traffic and traditional logistics, is rapidly transitioning from science fiction to an impending reality. At the heart of this transformation lies Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operation – the ability for drones to fly far beyond the pilot’s direct gaze. While BVLOS unlocks unparalleled efficiency, speed, and reach for drone delivery services, its widespread implementation hinges on the development of robust and adaptable regulatory frameworks. Aviation authorities worldwide are actively working to balance innovation with safety, paving the way for a future where autonomous aerial delivery is a routine occurrence.
The Complexities of Regulating BVLOS Drone Delivery
Regulating BVLOS drone delivery presents a multifaceted challenge for aviation authorities. Historically, aviation safety has been built on the “see and avoid” principle, requiring pilots to visually detect and steer clear of other aircraft. This principle is inherently difficult to apply to drones operating out of sight. Key challenges include:
- Airspace Integration: Safely integrating a high volume of autonomous drones into shared airspace with manned aircraft requires sophisticated systems for detection, communication, and collision avoidance.
- Technology Advancement vs. Regulation: Drone technology, particularly in areas like autonomy and payload capacity, is evolving at a faster pace than regulatory processes, creating a constant need for updates and adaptation.
- Risk Assessment: Determining the acceptable level of risk for operations over people, populated areas, and critical infrastructure, especially with varying drone sizes and operational complexities, is crucial.
- Security Concerns: Ensuring the security of drones, payloads, and ground infrastructure, and preventing malicious use, adds another layer of regulatory complexity.
- Standardization: Establishing common standards for drone performance, pilot certification, and operational procedures across different regions is essential for global scalability.
Key Regulatory Frameworks Worldwide
Different regions are adopting varied, yet often converging, approaches to establish comprehensive regulatory frameworks for BVLOS drone delivery.
United States: Towards a Standardized Part 108
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States has been working towards a standardized regulatory framework for BVLOS operations, moving away from a case-by-case waiver system that many in the industry felt stifled innovation.
- Part 107 Limitations & Waivers: Previously, commercial drone operations primarily fell under Part 107, which mandates Visual Line of Sight (VLOS). To conduct BVLOS operations, businesses had to apply for individual waivers, a complex and time-consuming process. Operations for package delivery for hire beyond visual line of sight generally required a Part 135 certificate.
- The Proposed Part 108: The FAA announced a major regulatory overhaul with the proposed Part 108 rule, aiming to standardize BVLOS operations for commercial drones. This new framework is intended to replace the waiver-based approach, providing more predictability for operators. The FAA aims to finalize this rule by January 2026, as mandated by Congress.
- Key Provisions of Part 108:
- Certification: Commercial drone operators would gain FAA certification, similar to manned aviation regulations, allowing flights up to 400 feet above ground level from designated sites.
- Technology Requirements: Certified flights would require remote identification and collision avoidance technology, with drones yielding to manned aircraft broadcasting their position using ADS-B.
- Airspace Management: Third-party Approved Drone Service Providers (ADSPs) are expected to oversee airspace coordination and flight monitoring, acting like air traffic control for drones in low-altitude airspace.
- Operational Limitations: Part 108 is expected to include restrictions such as altitude caps, limitations over populated areas, and operations within designated air corridors or under certified Remote Operations Center oversight.
- Security Vetting: Operators and key personnel will undergo security vetting by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). However, concerns exist about overly stringent TSA rules impacting scalability and creating economic challenges for businesses.
European Union: A Risk-Based Approach with EASA
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has established a harmonized regulatory framework across its member states, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. This framework adopts a risk-based approach, categorizing drone operations into three main types:
- Open Category: For low-risk operations, typically involving small drones within VLOS, below 120 meters AGL, and not transporting dangerous goods or conducting advanced operations.
- Specific Category: Covers complex or higher-risk operations, including BVLOS, operations over people (OOP), and package delivery. Operators in this category often need an operational authorization from the National Aviation Authority (NAA).
- Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA): A crucial methodology for obtaining approval in the Specific category, SORA involves a 10-step process to define and mitigate mission risks, which is then assessed by the NAA.
- Predefined Risk Assessments (PDRA) and Standard Scenarios (STS): EASA has developed PDRAs and STSs for common operational scenarios, simplifying the approval process if an operation fits a predefined risk assessment or standard scenario. For STSs, drones with a C5 or C6 class identification label can operate with a simple declaration.
- Certified Category: Intended for the highest-risk operations, such as the delivery of dangerous goods with large drones or future air taxis, requiring certification similar to manned aviation.
- U-space: EASA has focused on developing a regulatory framework for U-space, a system for managing drone traffic, with U-space regulations coming into effect at the start of 2023. All drones in the specific category and those with class labels 1 and above must have an active remote identification system.
United Kingdom: Roadmap to Routine BVLOS
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is actively working towards making BVLOS drone operations a routine reality by 2027.
- Trial Projects and Innovation Sandbox: The CAA has selected several projects for trials under a new scheme to test drone use in deliveries, infrastructure inspections, and emergency services. These trials gather critical safety data on aspects like detect-and-avoid capabilities and electronic signals for visibility to air traffic control. The CAA’s “innovation sandbox” provides controlled environments for organizations to test new technology against the regulatory framework.
- BVLOS Roadmap (CAP 3182): Published in October 2025, this roadmap details how BVLOS operations will transition from tightly controlled trials to full integration with crewed aviation by 2027, paving the way for scalable commercial and public service use.
- Gradual Integration: The CAA’s strategy is built on gradual, data-driven progress. By 2027, the CAA anticipates multiple operators conducting routine BVLOS flights in controlled airspace under standardized procedures, with full integration into uncontrolled airspace projected beyond 2028.
- Policy Concepts: The CAA has developed policy concepts for BVLOS operations, exploring how they can be integrated into UK airspace, with ongoing proposals to allow drones to fly beyond the pilot’s direct line of sight without requiring separation from other aircraft.
Canada: New Rules for Lower-Risk BVLOS
Transport Canada has introduced significant amendments to the Canadian Aviation Regulations to address BVLOS operations, with most new rules coming into force by November 4, 2025.
- Shift from SFOCs: Previously, BVLOS operations required a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for each mission, a time-consuming and burdensome process.
- New Pilot Certification: The amendments introduce a new pilot certification process for “lower-risk BVLOS operations,” referred to as Level 1 Complex Operations. To qualify, pilots must be at least 18, pass advanced and Level 1 Complex operations exams, complete 20 hours of ground school, and pass a flight review.
- Operational Requirements for Lower-Risk BVLOS: These operations are restricted to uncontrolled airspace, must remain below 122 meters (400 feet) AGL, and at least 1 km from populated areas, preferably over sparsely populated areas. Drones used must be small to medium-sized (under 150 kg) and meet Transport Canada safety standards, including detect-and-avoid technology.
- RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC): Operators will need to hold an RPOC to conduct BVLOS operations, with the application process opening in April 2025 and the new operating rules taking effect in November 2025.
Australia: Self-Assessment and SORA Adoption
Australia, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), is also advancing its regulatory framework for BVLOS drone delivery, leveraging risk-based approaches.
- ReOC and BVLOS Approval: Drone operators in Australia are required to apply for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) and specific BVLOS approval from CASA.
- SORA Methodology: CASA adopted the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) methodology in 2017 to evaluate the risks of complex drone operations, including BVLOS flights.
- Broad Area BVLOS Self-Assessment Framework: In a significant move, CASA launched a 12-month BVLOS trial in October 2025, introducing four approval pathways based on drone size and population density. This framework allows approved operators, such as Sphere Drones, to independently self-assess operational areas for autonomous BVLOS flights, dramatically accelerating deployment timelines from months to days. This streamlined approach is seen as a pragmatic innovation compared to more prescriptive rules.
- Infrastructure Planning Guidelines: The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts has developed draft guidelines to assist planning authorities and drone operators in understanding the aviation regulatory framework and infrastructure considerations for drone delivery services.
Common Themes and Future Outlook
While specific regulations vary by region, several common themes underpin the global effort to regulate BVLOS drone delivery:
- Risk-Based Approach: Regulators are increasingly adopting risk-based frameworks (like EASA’s Specific Category and SORA) to tailor rules to the actual risks posed by different operations, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Detect-and-Avoid Technology: The ability of drones to automatically detect and avoid other aircraft is paramount for safe BVLOS operations and is a recurring requirement across regulatory proposals.
- Remote Identification (Remote ID): Broadcasting identification and location information while airborne is becoming a standard requirement to ensure airspace visibility and accountability.
- Operator Certification and Training: Specialized training and certification for pilots and operators are consistently emphasized, covering advanced topics like airspace integration, risk management, and emergency procedures.
- Transition from Waivers to Rules: Many aviation authorities are working to move from individual waivers and exemptions to standardized, predictable rules that enable scalable, routine BVLOS operations.
- Air Traffic Management for Drones (UTM/U-space): The development of low-altitude air traffic management systems (such as U-space in Europe and ADSPs in the US) is crucial for safely integrating numerous drones into the national airspace.
The regulatory landscape for BVLOS drone delivery is dynamic and rapidly evolving. As technologies mature and operational data accumulates from ongoing trials and early deployments, these frameworks will continue to refine, moving closer to a future where drone delivery is a safe, efficient, and everyday service.
