Recent News & Blog Updates

The FAA's Section 2209 comment period closed August 5, but the fight over the final rule is just starting. The new UAFR designation lets critical infrastructure restrict drone airspace over a facility, but it's not counter-UAS authority and grants no mitigation power on its own. This piece breaks down what the FAA Section 2209 UAFR framework actually allows, what's still contested in the rulemaking record (thresholds, Remote ID, security plans), and why operators should start

The FCC has proposed a rule that could end sales of previously-approved foreign-made drones equipped with thermal imaging, LiDAR, and other sensors it now classifies as "military-grade." The definition reaches far beyond weapons platforms, sweeping in equipment utilities, oil and gas operators, and data centers rely on for everyday inspection work. Comments close September 2, 2026.

Utilities are increasingly exploring larger UAS (Group 2 to 4) to improve safety, reduce hazardous field exposure, and scale autonomous data collection. This article provides a pragmatic look at the pros and cons of advanced UAS adoption, business case realities, and the primary FAA regulatory pathways, including Section 44807, 14 CFR 91.113(b), Part 91 Public Aircraft Operations, and the future of Part 108.

The utility and critical-infrastructure landscape underwent major shifts in 2025, with operators demanding clearer performance and measurable results from aviation technologies. Tactien’s 2025 Year-End Review breaks down the key industry trends, accomplishments, and predictions shaping the future of UAS, manned aviation, SAAS workflows, and infrastructure operations heading into 2026.

For over a decade, the UAS industry has waited for one milestone: scalable Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) authorization. Now, with FAA Part 108 on the horizon, that milestone may finally be within reach — but understanding how to get there requires more than anticipation. It requires readiness. The Context: A Long-Awaited Framework Part 108 represents what could become the first formal, standardized regulatory framework for routine BVLOS operations. For many operators, t

The FAA’s Part 108 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) introduces a sweeping new framework for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. While it creates opportunities for all sectors, this article focuses on the raises major questions raised from the perspective of operating such aircraft on critical infrastructure —powerlines, pipelines, and railways, etc.

The Group 1–3 UAS Business Case Differentiators With the FAA’s long-anticipated Part 108 NPRM upon us, the conversation around unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) has fundamentally changed. For the first time, the regulatory door is opening to routine operations with Group 2 and Group 3 aircraft (outside of Part 91, 44807, or Special Airworthiness). For operators who have long been constrained to small UAS under Part 107, this is a seismic policy shift. However, it’s critical t

Co-Authored by Nate Ernst, Bill Daggett, and Dan Fuller FAA Part 108 Regulation With the long-anticipated FAA Part 108 rule on the horizon, the commercial UAS industry stands on the brink of a defining evolution. For years, operators, investors, and enterprise adopters have eyed the promise of scalable drone operations with cautious optimism. Part 108 represents the clearest signal yet that the U.S. regulatory framework is maturing—and with it, the ability to unlock transfor