DOT Proposes to Let Drones Fly at Night and Over People Without Waivers
The DOT proposes new rules allowing commercial drones to fly at night and over people without waivers.
The Department of Transportation proposes three new rules to expand commercial drone operations, significantly changing current FAA regulations. Under these proposals, operators no longer need waivers to fly drones at night and over people as long as they meet specific safety requirements.
To qualify for these expanded flight privileges without a waiver, drone operators must complete approved testing and receive appropriate training. Additionally, the drones themselves must feature operational anti-collision lighting to ensure visibility during nighttime operations.
Beyond the flight exemptions, the DOT introduces an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to identify major drone safety and security threats. The department also launches a pilot project to test Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management, which uses a risk-based classification system to categorize drones for routine over-people flights.