The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have jointly published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register that could reshape how Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly called drones, operate in U.S. airspace. The proposal, titled “Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Visual Line of Sight Operations,” outlines steps to expand drone operations beyond the operator’s direct line of sight (BVLOS) while integrating new safety and security measures.
This proposed rule is significant for the horse industry and rural communities. As drone technology becomes more prevalent, equine operations, training facilities, and rural landowners have increasingly reported concerns about low-flying drones disturbing horses, creating safety hazards, or causing privacy issues. Conversely, drones are also being adopted for beneficial purposes such as pasture management, perimeter monitoring, and event photography.
Key elements of the proposal include:
- Establishing standardized safety requirements for BVLOS drone flights.
- Clarifying roles for FAA oversight and TSA security screening of UAS operators.
- Creating a regulatory pathway for routine drone use in agriculture, transportation, and infrastructure inspection.
Why it matters to the horse industry:
- Safety: Horses are flight animals that can spook easily; low-flying drones can pose risks during training, transport, and competition.
- Privacy and property rights: Expanded BVLOS operations could lead to more drones operating over private property without owners’ knowledge.
- Opportunities: A clearer regulatory framework could encourage responsible use of drones for farm management, equine event coverage, and emergency response.
We want to hear from you.
The American Horse Council will be submitting comments to the FAA and TSA on behalf of the equine industry — but your input is critical. Please share any experiences, concerns, or recommendations related to drone use around horses so we can ensure your voice is represented.
Send your feedback to:
Emily Stearns, American Horse Council
Email: estearns@horsecouncil.org
Phone: (202) 296-4031
The FAA and TSA are also accepting public comments directly through the docket on www.federalregister.gov. Comments must be submitted before the deadline noted in the NPRM.
The AHC strongly encourages members, equine facilities, and related businesses to weigh in so that drone regulations balance innovation with safety, privacy, and livestock welfare.