AUVSI Supports the Advancement of BVLOS and Section 2209 Draft Rules

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) strongly supports the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) advancement of the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and Section 2209 rulemakings to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), where the draft rules will re-enter the critical interagency review process.

This is a critical step in the rulemaking process and a strong signal that the federal government is moving toward a scalable, performance-based regulatory framework to enable routine BVLOS operations across the commercial drone sector, including public safety, critical infrastructure, agriculture, package delivery, and other use cases.

AUVSI CEO Michael Robbins said, “AUVSI commends Secretary Duffy and Administrator Rocheleau for advancing the long-awaited BVLOS and Section 2209 rulemakings to the White House for review. Finalizing these rules is essential to unlocking the next chapter of uncrewed aviation—driving innovation, improving safety, and maintaining U.S. global competitiveness. While this is not the first time the rules have reached this stage, AUVSI has remained deeply engaged throughout, advocating for our members and pushing to move these policies across the finish line.”

“Timely action is critical to give operators, manufacturers, public safety agencies, and others the regulatory clarity they need. A national BVLOS framework will enable safe, scalable commercial drone operations, while a Section 2209 rule will protect sensitive infrastructure without stalling industry growth.”

“We urge OIRA to complete its review quickly. These rules have already undergone significant interagency evaluation, and final action is long overdue. With years of effort behind them, BVLOS and Section 2209 regulations must be finalized now to provide the certainty and momentum the U.S. drone industry needs to grow and lead.”

  • Association Press Release