Hey everyone! I've been hearing a lot about these new FAA Part 108 rules coming in 2026 for Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations. As someone currently flying under Part 107 for my photography business, I'm confused about what this means for me.

Do I need to get new certifications? Will my current Part 107 license still be valid? And what's all this talk about "Operations Supervisors" and "Flight Coordinators" - are those replacing remote pilots?

Any veterans here who understand these changes better? I don't want to be caught off guard when these rules take effect!

Don't panic! Part 107 itself remains unchanged for visual line of sight operations under 400 feet, ensuring continuity for pilots conducting typical commercial work like aerial photography, inspections, and mapping. The new regulations complement rather than replace Part 107, creating an additional framework for operations that exceed visual line of sight limitations.

Think of Part 108 as opening new doors, not closing existing ones. Your current work stays exactly the same.

I'm in the same boat as you! From what I've read, updated FAA drone regulations around BVLOS will mark a turning point and will fundamentally reshape how drone pilots operate in U.S. airspace. But it sounds like this is more about enabling new types of operations rather than changing what we're already doing.

The key thing is drone pilots currently operating under Part 107 waivers need not worry about immediate disruptions. Existing waivers remain valid during the transition period, and operators can continue approved missions. Start preparing now but don't stress - this is actually exciting for the industry!