REGULATIONS / US
United States: drone rules for inspection
Commercial inspection in the US runs under Part 107, which requires registration, Remote ID (since September 2023) and a Remote Pilot Certificate. Night flight and flight over people have been allowed without waivers, subject to conditions, since April 2021. Within 400 ft of a structure, a drone may climb to 400 ft above the structure's top, which helps tower and chimney inspection. BVLOS still needs a waiver or exemption. Part 108 was proposed in August 2025 and the final rule went to OIRA in July 2026, but its publication could not be confirmed as of October 2026.
Checked against official sources
Fields are recorded in the language of the research notes.
| Authority | 米国連邦航空局 (FAA) / Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
| Main framework | 14 CFR Part 107 (Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, <55 lb); 14 CFR Part 89 (Remote ID); proposed 14 CFR Part 108 (BVLOS) – NPRM only. |
| Registration | Part 107 drones must be registered regardless of weight ($5, valid 3 years, via FAADroneZone) and marked with the registration number. Recreational flyers register only above 250 g (0.55 lb) (threshold from prior knowledge, not re-read this session). |
| Remote ID | Since 16 September 2023, drones requiring registration must broadcast Remote ID (standard RID or broadcast module) unless flown inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). FAA enforcement discretion ended 16 March 2024 (date from prior knowledge). |
| Pilot licensing | Remote Pilot Certificate: age 16+, English proficiency, pass the UAG aeronautical knowledge test, apply via IACRA (Form 8710-13); recurrent online training every 24 months. |
| Risk categories | Part 107 has no Open/Specific split; operations over people use Categories 1-4 (by aircraft weight/injury severity and means of compliance). Larger or BVLOS operations currently rely on waivers, Section 44807 exemptions or type certification (Part 21.17(b)). |
| BVLOS | In force today: BVLOS only via a Part 107.31 waiver or 44807 exemption; many linear-infrastructure inspection waivers exist. Proposed Part 108 (NPRM published 7 Aug 2025, 90 FR 38212; comments closed 6 Oct 2025, reopened 28 Jan-11 Feb 2026 on right-of-way/electronic conspicuity) would create operating permits (lower risk, e.g. aerial surveying up to 110 lb in population density category ≤3) and operating certificates (higher risk, SMS required), MTOW up to 1,320 lb, below 400 ft AGL, with DAA and Remote ID broadcast. The final rule was sent to OIRA on 10 July 2026; as of early-mid October 2026 secondary trackers report it still unpublished. Status as of 2026-10-22: proposal, not in force (not confirmed in the Federal Register). |
| Night & over people | Operations Over People and Night rule effective 21 April 2021: night flight allowed without waiver with updated training and anti-collision lighting; over people/moving vehicles allowed under Categories 1-4 conditions. Controlled-airspace night flights still need LAANC/DroneZone authorization. |
| Near structures | 14 CFR 107.51(b): max 400 ft AGL, except a drone may fly higher if within a 400 ft radius of a structure and not more than 400 ft above its highest point (useful for tall towers/chimneys). Part 108 NPRM includes provisions for 'shielded' areas near structures; details not verified this session. Section 2209 (critical infrastructure flight restrictions) rulemaking status: unverified. |
| Indoor & confined | FAA generally does not regulate flights fully indoors (not in the National Airspace System); this is long-standing FAA guidance but was not re-verified on an official page this session. |
| Imaging & privacy | No federal drone privacy rule; privacy and trespass are state law matters (many states have drone-specific statutes). Not reviewed in detail. |
| Recent changes | 2024-03-16: end of Remote ID enforcement discretion. 2025-06-06: Executive Order 14307 directed BVLOS rulemaking. 2025-08-07: Part 108 NPRM. 2026-01-28 to 2026-02-11: reopened comment window. 2026-07-10: final rule at OIRA. As of 2026-10-22, no final Part 108 confirmed. |
Sources
- FAA – Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial OperatorsFull text read
- eCFR 14 CFR 107.51 Operating limitations for small unmanned aircraftFull text read
- DLA Piper – FAA proposes comprehensive BVLOS UAS regulatory framework (Aug 2025)Full text read
- Airdata – FAA Part 108 Explained (2026)Full text read
- DroneRanker – FAA Part 108 BVLOS Rule Status (Oct 2026)Full text read
Sources checked: 2026-10-22