Executive Orders Signed: A New Era for BVLOS Drone Operations Begins

The drone industry has just entered a new chapter.

In a groundbreaking move, the White House has officially signed a set of Executive Orders designed to modernize and expand the landscape for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations across the United States. These orders are not only historic in scope—they are the direct result of years of advocacy by industry leaders, including Lumenier, the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA), and the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI).

The Executive Orders lay out four clear priorities:

• Restore U.S. global leadership in drone innovation and security

• Enable beneficial commercial drone operations to scale across the country

• Remove bureaucratic impediments to safe operations

• Take steps to prevent the rogue, criminal use of the technology

This sweeping federal action recognizes what the drone industry has known for years: unlocking the full potential of BVLOS operations is not just about technology—it's about policy. And now, policy is catching up.

 

🏛 From Meeting Room to Milestone: The Industry’s Role

These Executive Orders come on the heels of a pivotal Executive Order 12866 policy meeting held at the White House, where Lumenier’s Chad Daring represented the drone industry alongside fellow members of the CDA and AUVSI. The meeting brought together key agencies—including the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Economic Council (NEC), and National Security Council (NSC)—to explore a path forward for safe, scalable BVLOS operations.

Chad led the conversation around the urgent need for standardized operating procedures and a clear approval framework under the forthcoming Part 108, which would allow drone pilots to move beyond today’s fragmented, waiver-based system. His insights helped shape the very priorities now reflected in the Executive Orders.

 

✈️ Why BVLOS Matters: Safety, Efficiency, and Economic Growth

BVLOS operations enable drones to fly beyond the pilot’s direct line of sight, which is essential for long-range use cases such as:

• Aerial cinematography

• Infrastructure and utility inspections

• Emergency response and disaster relief

• Agricultural surveying and environmental monitoring

• Drone delivery services

• Event broadcasting and security surveillance

Under current FAA rules (Part 107), such operations typically require a time-consuming and often uncertain waiver process. This limits growth and delays innovation. By contrast, the newly supported framework under Part 108 aims to remove these bottlenecks and replace them with standardized, scalable guidelines—without compromising safety.

The impact is expected to be immense. Industry data suggests that BVLOS operations could reduce costs by up to 80% in sectors like film and inspections while opening new revenue opportunities estimated in the hundreds of millions annually. Without reform, those dollars risk leaving U.S. shores for BVLOS-friendly countries like Canada and Australia.

 

🧭 A Turning Point for U.S. Drone Policy

The Executive Orders represent more than regulatory reform—they signal a shift in federal posture toward proactive leadership in drone innovation.

For the first time, the White House has taken a direct and formal stance supporting:

• Economic acceleration through BVLOS

• A streamlined pathway to approvals

• Safety-first integration into national airspace

• Protection from misuse without stifling innovation

This is a strategic win for American drone manufacturers, pilots, and service providers. It positions the U.S. not as a follower—but as a standard-setter.

 

🔧 Lumenier’s Commitment to the Future of Flight

Lumenier has long been a vocal advocate for innovation with integrity in unmanned systems. Our participation in the Executive Order 12866 meeting and our continued collaboration with CDA, AUVSI, and federal agencies reflect our dedication to shaping a regulatory environment that empowers safe, meaningful, and scalable drone operations.

We believe BVLOS will be the backbone of the next decade of drone advancement—and today’s announcement lays that foundation.

 

🔍 What’s Next?

The signing of these Executive Orders is only the beginning. The FAA is now expected to accelerate its development of the Part 108 rulemaking process, translating these high-level directives into operational reality.

Lumenier will remain at the table through every phase of this transformation—advising, advocating, and ensuring that both innovation and safety are preserved at every altitude.

 

🚀 This Is a Defining Moment

The signing of these Executive Orders is not just a policy change—it’s a signal to the world that the U.S. is serious about leading the future of unmanned aviation.

And we’re honored to be helping lead the charge.