What Happened
New Phase Adds Lead Participants to Advance BVLOS Operations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched Phase 2 of its BEYOND program, aiming to advance drone integration into the National Airspace System. The expansion adds up to eight new state, local, tribal, and territorial lead participants to address remaining hurdles in beyond visual line of sight operations, public safety missions, and on-airport drone activities. With over 70,000 total flights logged in Phase 1, including more than 48,000 beyond visual line of sight, the program is informing the regulatory framework for scaled commercial drone operations. The initiative was reported by an unknown source.