LIFT Act Clears Path for Routine US BVLOS Drone Flights

Washington, D.C. – For years, the drone industry has been grounded by regulatory limbo. As countries like China surge ahead in drone manufacturing and deployment, U.S. operators face a tangle of red tape that stifles life-saving emergency responses, infrastructure inspections, and agricultural innovations. That may soon change. On July 24, 2025, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) introduced the Leading Innovation in Flight Technology (LIFT) Act, targeting one critical bottleneck: BVLOS drone operations. This landmark legislation could revolutionize American airspace by mandating AI-driven approvals and performance standards for drones flying beyond pilots’ visual line of sight.

BVLOS drone operations

What the LIFT Act Mandates for BVLOS Operations

The bill compels the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish clear performance-based safety standards for BVLOS flights within 18 months. Crucially, it requires deploying artificial intelligence to process BVLOS waiver applications—addressing years of industry complaints about manual reviews causing delays of 6-12 months per application.

Rep. Kiggans emphasized the competitive urgency: “China builds five times as many drones as we do here in America. We’re falling behind because our regulations haven’t caught up to technology.” The LIFT Act also funds grants for state/local government drone programs, ensuring smaller agencies access advanced air mobility tools.

Chronic Regulatory Delays: A $45B Industry Stalled

The legislation responds to a decade of missed deadlines. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 required BVLOS rules by September 2024—ignored. A June 2025 White House executive order demanding proposals within 30 days also lapsed. Currently, 99% of commercial BVLOS flights require arduous case-by-case waivers.

A recent DOT Inspector General report highlights the core issue: The FAA’s waiver system lacks scalability. With BVLOS applications surging 300% since 2022, manual reviews create backlogs costing operators up to $500,000 monthly in stalled projects.

Safety and Tech Hurdles for Scalable BVLOS

BVLOS operations hinge on solving a critical safety gap: replicating human “see-and-avoid” capabilities. The LIFT Act pushes adoption of detect-and-avoid (DAA) systems using radar, lidar, and AI. These systems must identify aircraft, obstacles, and terrain in real-time—a challenge compounded by:

• Communication reliability: Maintaining control links over long distances
• Airspace integration: Avoiding conflicts with manned aircraft
• Standardization: Creating uniform DAA performance metrics

Future FAA Part 108 rules (replacing today’s Part 107) will likely mandate these technologies, shifting oversight from pilots to certified organizations.

Global Race: Why Congress Is Forcing Action

With China controlling 70% of the global consumer drone market and expanding industrial applications, U.S. dominance is slipping. The LIFT Act codifies portions of the 2025 “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” executive order, applying statutory pressure. As Kiggans noted: “Sometimes putting [requirements] in writing from Congress motivates agencies to act.”

Countries like Canada and Australia already streamlined BVLOS approvals. The U.S. risks ceding leadership in drone-powered wildfire response, pipeline monitoring, and medical delivery without analogous frameworks.

The LIFT Act offers a pragmatic path to unlock drones’ trillion-dollar economic potential—but only if DOT and FAA execute swiftly. As regulatory delays cost U.S. operators millions daily, this bill demands accountability. Stay informed on BVLOS developments and contact your representatives to support innovation-friendly policies.

Must Know

What are BVLOS drone operations?
BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) flights occur when drones operate outside the pilot’s direct view. Unlike VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) rules requiring unaided visibility, BVLOS enables long-range missions like power-line inspections or search-and-rescue. Current FAA Part 107 regulations heavily restrict such operations without waivers.

How would AI accelerate BVLOS approvals?
The LIFT Act mandates AI systems to automate risk assessments of waiver applications. By analyzing flight paths, equipment specs, and mitigation strategies, AI could slash approval times from months to days. This mirrors FAA’s 2023-2028 AI roadmap prioritizing automation for airspace management.

Why does BVLOS matter for local governments?
BVLOS enables cost-effective public services: monitoring wildfires, inspecting bridges, or delivering emergency supplies. The LIFT Act’s grant program helps smaller agencies afford drone tech. For example, North Dakota’s Vantis system—a statewide BVLOS network—reduced infrastructure inspection costs by 60%.

What safety risks does BVLOS introduce?
Key concerns include mid-air collisions, lost communication links, and system failures. The LIFT Act addresses these by requiring standardized detect-and-avoid tech and geofencing. FAA studies show properly equipped drones have lower accident rates than manned aircraft.