XTI Aerospace Applauds FAA's Draft Rules Advancing Beyond Visual Line Of Sight Drone Operations

XTI Aerospace (NASDAQ:XTIA), a pioneer xVTOL and powered-lift aviation technologies, applauds the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following release of draft regulations establishing a framework for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). This milestone marks a major step toward the safe and scalable integration of autonomous flight into U.S. airspace.

The FAA's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for "Normalizing UAS BVLOS Operations," also known as Part 108, is responsive to the Administration's June 6, 2025, Executive Order to Unleash American Drone Dominance while Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty, which called for expedited action and a clear regulatory roadmap for the future of commercial drone operations. The risk-based, performance-driven guidelines usher in a new era of commercial applications including infrastructure inspection, precision agriculture, emergency response, and last-mile delivery.

Under the proposed rules, drones up to 1,320 pounds can operate BVLOS without traditional airworthiness certificates, paving the way for a broader range of industrial and commercial missions. The FAA's plan also introduces third-party Automated Data Service Providers (ADSPs) to safely manage traffic and situational awareness among crewed and uncrewed aircraft—a critical enabler for future autonomous flight corridors.

XTI applauds the FAA's commitment to building on years of data from waivers, pilot programs, and industry partnerships to establish a scalable regulatory model. XTI is encouraged by the Transportation Security Administration's parallel efforts to address security considerations through targeted personnel vetting and operator program requirements.