You may have seen headlines about "Part 108." Here's the honest, no-hype breakdown of what it actually is, where it really stands, and what it means for you — without the fearmongering.
As of June 2026, Part 108 is a proposed rule (an NPRM). The FAA has not announced a final effective date. Nothing on this page is in force yet, and details can change before a final rule. Always verify the current status at faa.gov/uas.
Part 108 is the FAA's proposed framework for flying drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) — past what you can see — without one-off waivers. It's aimed at commercial operations like delivery, infrastructure inspection, and large-scale mapping. It does not replace Part 107, and it doesn't change your path today. If you're getting licensed now, Part 107 is still the test you take.
A Fast Company post about "Part 108" made the rounds recently, and it's understandable to wonder whether the rules are changing under your feet. Short answer: not yet, and not for most people. Let's separate the facts from the hype.
Part 108 is a proposed new section of the federal aviation regulations — officially titled "Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations." Its goal is to create a standardized, repeatable way for commercial drone operators to fly BVLOS — beyond what the operator can directly see — instead of the slow, case-by-case waiver process that exists today. Think drone delivery, long pipeline and power-line inspections, and large agricultural or mapping flights.
This is where a lot of online posts get sloppy. Here's the accurate sequence:
Bottom line: it's still working its way through rulemaking. Until a final rule publishes and takes effect, it isn't something you operate under.
The key shift: Part 107 certifies a person to fly within sight. The proposed Part 108 leans on an organization — with defined roles such as an operations supervisor and a flight coordinator who can oversee one or more aircraft — to run more complex BVLOS operations safely. To brush up on the line-of-sight and airspace rules that still apply today, see our airspace guide.
As proposed, Part 108 is aimed at drones up to roughly 1,320 pounds operating generally below about 400 feet, for uses like agriculture, infrastructure and tower inspection, logistics and delivery, surveying, and mapping. It pairs those operations with technology requirements — most notably detect-and-avoid capability so a drone can sense and steer clear of other aircraft when no human is watching it directly.
If you're studying for your drone license or just earned it, here's the calm truth:
So don't let a scary headline derail your prep. The smart move is the same as it was yesterday: get your Part 107, build real flying experience, and you'll be first in line when BVLOS opens up.
No. As of 2026 it's a proposed rule (NPRM), published August 7, 2025. The FAA hasn't announced a final effective date. Until a final rule takes effect, Part 107 remains the rule for commercial drone flying.
No. If you're getting licensed today, Part 107 is still the certificate you earn and the test you take. Part 108 is a separate, proposed framework for BVLOS and isn't required for standard Part 107 flying.
Part 107 governs visual-line-of-sight flying under an individual Remote Pilot Certificate. The proposed Part 108 would create a framework for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations with organization-level accountability, replacing today's one-off BVLOS waivers.
There's no confirmed date. Comments closed in February 2026 and a final rule is expected sometime in 2026, with implementation likely several months later. Always check faa.gov for the current status.
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