Drone Use Poised to Soar as FAA Homes in on Rule Change Allowing Pilots to Fly Them Out of Sight

Drone use poised to soar as FAA homes in on rule change allowing pilots to fly them out of sight

Companies large and small are gearing up to deliver packages to you via drone. AP Photo/Charlie RiedelToday, almost anyone who flies a drone must maintain visual contact with it at all times, a practice known as visual line of sight. This requirement severely restricts how far craft can fly. When the Federal Aviation Administration rule changes allowing people to fly their drones beyond visual line of sight are finalized, commercial use is likel…

Drone Use Poised to Soar: Rule Change Allows Pilots to Fly Them Out of Sight

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (THE CONVERSATION) — Today [June 11, 2026], almost anyone who flies a drone must maintain visual contact with it at all times, a practice known as visual line of sight. This requirement severely restricts how far craft can fly. When the Federal Aviation Administration rule changes allowing people to fly their drones beyond visual line of sight are finalized, commercial use is likely to soar. Flight beyond visual line of sight wil…