Correction — September 9, 2026: We withdrew the earlier claims of a June 2026 Part 108 final rule, a “Class G+” 500-foot corridor and automatic approval within 72 hours. The cited final-rule links did not support those claims.
Start with the rule for your operation
The FAA's Part 107 overview describes a normal maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level, with a structure-related exception. The exception has conditions; it does not establish a general higher ceiling for an entire route. The FAA also describes a waiver process for operations that cannot satisfy a waivable rule.
The FAA page on beyond visual line of sight describes a proposed regulatory framework. A proposal and a published final rule are different documents. Neither a news headline nor a pending proposal is an individual operator's authorization. Check the current rule text and the conditions of any authorization before flight.
Separate three decisions
| Decision | What to verify before committing to a job |
|---|---|
| Altitude | Height above ground, nearby structures and applicable operating rule |
| Airspace | Airspace class and whether the location needs an authorization |
| Operational method | Visual-line-of-sight conditions, people or vehicles below, aircraft weight and any needed waiver |
An airspace authorization is not a blanket exemption from altitude, visibility or operational restrictions. Record each applicable permission separately in the job file. A client's permission to inspect a building also does not replace aviation permission.
A practical inspection brief
Give the operator a site map, structure heights, proposed takeoff and landing areas, expected flight paths, deliverable specifications and scheduling constraints. Ask which portions can be flown under the operator's existing permissions and which need additional authorization. Agree on a ground-based or alternative capture method for sections that cannot be flown legally.
Do not promise a customer a fixed approval date using a generic estimate. Tie the mobilisation date to actual authorization and operating conditions, and define how weather or access restrictions affect the contract.
Our drone category can help compare hardware. A manufacturer's range or altitude specification describes equipment capability; it does not establish where a commercial operator may fly.