Vertical Aviation International issued a list of recommendations this morning for the FAA’s anticipated notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations of uncrewed aircraft systems—also known as FAR Part 108. By congressional mandate contained in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, the FAA must publish this NPRM by year-end.
This NPRM is expected to closely follow recommendations issued in 2022 by the FAA’s BVLOS advisory and rulemaking committee covering key areas, including see-and-avoid technology, vehicle operation and performance standards and limitations, integration of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System, and certification and training requirements.
“The aviation community must work together to solve the challenges around BVLOS operations and build a future that allows us all to operate safely,” said VAI president and CEO James Viola.
Noting helicopters’ unique capabilities and missions, VAI’s recommendations include maintaining existing right-of-way rules in FAR 91.113 with a bias toward vehicle maneuverability or restrictions to maneuver over sense/detect/see capabilities; establishing performance-based standards for BVLOS see-and-avoid requirements; maximum visual or electronic “conspicuity” for all aircraft; rejection of shielded areas and shielded operations for UAS near critical infrastructure and obstacles; and creation of shielded operations where UAS are physically separated from other aircraft such as under bridges and within cooling towers.
The comment period for the BVLOS NPRM is expected to run from 30 to 90 days.