BVLOS, the rules have changed

Posted on June 11, 2025

Ascent Aerial Data is excited to support the new Executive Order that removes the FAA’s requirement for special waivers to fly drones Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) for commercial use. This major change is a big step forward for the drone industry and opens up new opportunities for the team of FAA-certified drone pilots in Ascent Aerial Data’s network.

BVLOS flights let drone pilots fly without needing to see the drone with their own eyes. These types of flights are critical for doing more advanced and large-scale drone work. In the past, companies had to apply for time-consuming FAA waivers to do this, which caused delays and higher costs.

“Removing the BVLOS waiver requirement is a game-changer for our pilots and clients,” said Julie Bonnardel, CEO of Ascent Aerial Data. “It means quicker data delivery, more types of jobs we can take on, and the ability to grow our services across industries like energy, farming, construction, and utility inspections. This is a major step forward for how drones help American businesses.”

With this change, Ascent Aerial Data’s pilot network can immediately take on more BVLOS jobs, get projects started faster, and reduce the need for manned aircraft in remote areas—especially useful for gathering aerial data for AI tools.

The new rules also speed up work already happening in areas like pipeline monitoring, precision farming, utility inspections, and disaster response. BVLOS flying makes this work not only faster, but also safer and more accurate.

“This is a chance for us to invest more in tools that help our partners who use AI,” she added. “In precision agriculture, for example, drones combined with AI can help spot pests or diseases before they damage crops. Moving faster on this kind of innovation is what makes this change so important.”

Ascent Aerial Data remains committed to responsible drone use, supporting smart policy updates and pilot training to ensure safety and progress go hand in hand. The company will continue working with regulators to help the drone industry grow in a safe and impactful way.