US Drone Inspection Regulations: What Buyers Need to Know
Part 107, BVLOS waivers, Remote ID, LAANC and the proposed Part 108 — explained for utility and industrial buyers.
Part 107 is the baseline
Commercial drone operations in the United States are flown under the FAA’s Part 107 rules by a certificated remote pilot. Always represent operations against the current FAA framework, not anticipated rules. Check the FAA’s official guidance at faa.gov/uas for the latest requirements.
BVLOS needs a waiver today
Beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations under Part 107 currently require a waiver from 14 CFR §107.31, applied for through the FAA’s Aviation Safety Hub with a detailed concept of operations and risk analysis. The FAA considers detect-and-avoid capability, command-and-control reliability and containment of the operating area. Ask providers for the waiver itself and check its scope, location limits and expiry.
Proposed Part 108
A proposed Part 108 framework is intended to create a more scalable route for BVLOS operations, which matters for long power-line and pipeline corridors. Until it is finalised, it is not operating authority — do not accept it in place of a current waiver.
Remote ID and LAANC
Remote ID applies to drones that must be registered, met by a Standard Remote ID aircraft, a broadcast module (pilot must keep visual line of sight) or flying in an FAA-Recognized Identification Area. LAANC gives airspace authorisation at participating controlled-airspace facilities but does not waive other rules — LAANC access is not BVLOS authority.
Beyond aviation rules
Some states restrict drone flights over or near critical infrastructure facilities, and asset owners impose their own access, permit-to-work and security rules. Confirm site permission with the asset operator and your legal or compliance team before flights are scheduled.
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