---
title: "FAA Unveils Drone Rules: Autonomy Is In, Drone Delivery Is Out"
description: "The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has released its long-awaited Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for small unmanned aircraft systems."
date: "2015-02-16"
modified: "2015-08-13"
authors:
  - name: "Alex Klokus"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/alex-klokus"
url: "https://futurism.com/faa-unveils-drone-rules-autonomy-is-in-drone-delivery-is-out"
categories:
  - "Advanced Transport"
  - "Drones"
  - "Robotics"
  - "Robots and Machines"
tags:
  - "transport"
---

# FAA Unveils Drone Rules: Autonomy Is In, Drone Delivery Is Out

![Default Futurism featured image](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Futurism-Filler-Image.jpg>)

- Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 lbs. (25 kg). Visual line-of-sight (VLOS) only; the unmanned aircraft must remain within VLOS of the operator or visual observer.
- Small unmanned aircraft may not operate over any persons not directly involved in the operation. Daylight-only operations (official sunrise to official sunset, local time).
- Maximum airspeed of 100 mph (87 knots) and Maximum altitude of 500 feet above ground level.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexklokus>)