# 2026-02649: Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations; Reopening of Comment Period; Denial of Extension

2026-02649, Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations; Reopening of Comment Period; Denial of Extension, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-02-10, effective 2026-02-11; deemed significant under Executive Order 12866 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02649
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-02649
- Title: Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations; Reopening of Comment Period; Denial of Extension
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 5880
- Published: 2026-02-10
- Effective: 2026-02-11
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: yes (FR_METADATA)
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AL82
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## Summary

The FAA is moving forward with new rules to help drones fly safely beyond the pilot’s sight, especially at low altitudes. They reopened the comment period to get more feedback on key safety topics but decided not to extend it again. This affects drone operators and companies using drones for services, speeding up when these new rules could take effect and helping the drone industry grow without extra delays or costs.

## Abstract

This action denies requests for extension of the reopening of the comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled "Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations" that was published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2026.

## Effects PRIA read

- Reopened BVLOS Comment Window Closes: mixed, medium. The FAA denied requests to extend the reopened comment period and set the close date as February 11, 2026. A requester had asked for an extension until February 28, 2026, but FAA concluded 14 days was sufficient and will not delay finalizing the rule.
- BVLOS Rules Would Enable Low-Altitude Operations: benefit, medium. The NPRM proposes performance-based regulations to enable the design and operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) mostly at low altitudes beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and to support third-party services, including UAS Traffic Management. If finalized, these rules would allow operators an…
- Reopened Comment Focused on Two Topics: mixed, low. The FAA's January 28, 2026, notice reopened comments but limited questions to electronic conspicuity and right-of-way, asking seven specific questions on those topics. The reopened comment period solicits feedback only on those limited subjects and will close on February 11, 2026.

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## Sources
- [2026-02649 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/10/2026-02649/normalizing-unmanned-aircraft-systems-beyond-visual-line-of-sight-operations-reopening-of-comment)
- [2026-02649 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-10/pdf/2026-02649.pdf)

## Related
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- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02649 (as of 2026-06-11).