Nate Ernst, Founder and President of The Tactien Group, has joined the 2026 Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition Advisory Board — bringing independent UAS advisory expertise across Group 1-4 operations, BVLOS, C-UAS validation, and critical infrastructure program development to the coalition's end-user focused board.

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.

Understanding BVLOS: A Deeper Dive BVLOS operations are not just a regulatory hurdle; they are a game-changer for utilities. The ability to operate beyond visual line of sight opens up new possibilities for efficiency and safety. The Importance of BVLOS Why is BVLOS so crucial? It allows for inspections and operations over vast areas without the need for constant visual contact. This means less downtime and more effective monitoring of critical infrastructure. Preparing for t

Tactien President Nate Ernst takes the stage at the Energy Drone & Robotics Forum for "What's Now & Next in BVLOS for Energy," a working session on where beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations actually stand for utilities and where FAA Part 108 takes them next. Expect a practitioner's read: what's flying today, what's stuck in waivers, and what energy operators should build now to be ready for the next regulatory stage.