FAA authorizes first commercial BVLOS drone operations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today, July 30, that it has authorized the first commercial drone flights without visual observers. The authorization covers Dallas-area airspace and applies to Zipline International and Wing Aviation. These companies are now permitted to deliver packages while maintaining separation of their unmanned aircraft using technology provided by Unmanned Aircraft System Management (UTM).

Operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) under rigorous FAA safety oversight is enabled by advancements in air traffic technology, according to the agency's announcement. The new procedures represent “a key step toward making these BVLOS flights routine.”

The FAA stated: “Using UTM services, companies can share data and planned flight routes with other authorized airspace users. This allows the operators to safely organize and manage drone flights around each other in shared airspace. All flights occur below 400 feet altitude and away from any crewed aircraft. The FAA expects initial flights using UTM services will begin in August and issuing more authorizations in the Dallas area soon.”