Joel Jones

BVLOS and Performance-Based Operations in Drone Technology

Joel Jones, President, Remnant Technology, Inc.

The FAA has quietly but fundamentally shifted the philosophical foundation of UAS regulations concerning drone technology. What began as a series of case-by-case exemptions and waivers under Section 44807 and Part 107 has evolved into a deliberate move toward performance-based operations under the proposed Part 108 framework for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight. This is not merely a new set of rules; it represents a change in how the agency evaluates safety, scales commercial operations, and allocates regulatory oversight. Prescriptive limits are giving way to safety cases, Safety Management Systems, detect-and-avoid performance, population-density risk categories, and operator accountability through permits and certificates. Operators who continue to view the regulatory environment as a checklist of permissions will struggle. Those who embrace the underlying performance-based philosophy—and can demonstrate this through robust operations manuals, training programs, risk assessments, and real-world data—will be well-positioned to navigate the evolving landscape as the final rule takes shape. Drawing on experience conducting the first U.S. agricultural BVLOS flights, developing FAA-accepted harmonized operations and training manuals, and participating in national safety and policy discussions, this presentation examines the practical implications of the shift in UAS regulations. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what 'performance-based operations' actually requires, how current exemption-based operations can transition into the Part 108 structure, and why mastering this philosophical change is essential for successfully navigating the future regulatory landscape.

Joel M. Jones is a pioneering leader in drone technology and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), boasting over a decade of experience in aviation education, regulatory compliance, and operational innovation. As the Owner, President, and Chief Pilot of Drone Crop Services since 2022, he successfully conducted the first Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS aerial application in the United States. He has developed operations and training manuals focusing on swarm, BVLOS, and night operations, showcasing his expertise in performance-based operations. Joel has also authored multiple FAA approvals, including Section 44807 exemptions for UAS over 55 pounds, FAA 107.31 BVLOS waivers, FAA 107.35 “Swarm” waivers, FAA 107.36 hazardous materials waivers, and Section 927 waivers for banner tow operations within airshow Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). His collaboration with the California Farm Bureau on State Assembly Bill 1016 helped update UAS regulations to better align with current aerial pesticide practices, and he is part of the team assisting the California Department of Pesticide Regulation in adopting new requirements for private UAS applicators statewide. Since August 2018, Joel has served as a UAS Instructor at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA, teaching FAA Part 107 and aerial agriculture courses, contributing to over 70 students earning their FAA Remote Pilot certificates. As a certified AUVSI TOPS 1&2 Mentor, he provides guidance on advanced UAS operations and moderates The Ag Drone Podcast (www.theagdronepodcast.com), fostering vital discussions on agricultural drone professionalism and safety. He has chaired regulatory sessions at the Spray Drone End User Conference since 2023, presented at the 2025 NAAA National Convention, delivered comments on the BVLOS NPRM to the FAA Administrator, discussed the future of BVLOS at the Midwest Drone Conference, and presented at PREP. In 2026, he conducted UAS demonstrations at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. His leadership roles also include serving as an NAAA UAAS Committee Member, a PERC UAS Committee Member, and an FAA Safety Team Representative Drone Pro for the Little Rock FSDO.