Why Local Governments Should Contract Drone Mapping/Surveying Services Under FAA Part 108 (BVLOS)

Policy and Risk Management Rationale

The FAA’s new Federal Aviation Administration Part 108 Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rules allow drones to fly farther and cover much larger areas than before. This creates major benefits for tax assessing, engineering, and public works, but it also fundamentally changes what it takes to operate drones legally and responsibly.

Under Part 108, drone operations are no longer just a technical task — they are an aviation management responsibility. For most local governments, contracting these services is the safest, most practical, and most sustainable option.

Executive Summary

Part 108 enables more efficient aerial data collection, but it also introduces continuous compliance, fleet management, and FAA coordination requirements. Operating an internal BVLOS drone program would require the County to manage aviation assets, replace equipment more frequently, maintain ongoing FAA approvals, and dedicate staff time to compliance and administration.

By contracting Part 108-qualified drone mapping services, the County avoids owning and managing aviation systems, reduces liability exposure, ensures continuity of service, and allows staff to focus on governance and decision-making rather than aviation operations.

Under Part 108, contracting is not about convenience — it is about responsible management of public resources.

1. Part 108 Changes the Nature of Drone Operations

Part 108 is not simply an update to existing drone rules. It shifts FAA oversight from the individual pilot to the entire operating system.

This means drone programs must now demonstrate:

• Ongoing safety oversight

• Documented operational procedures

• Continuous compliance with FAA requirements

Approval is not one-time. It must be maintained for as long as the program operates.

2. Managing Drones Becomes a Full-Time Responsibility

Under Part 108, drones are treated more like fleet vehicles or aircraft, not simple tools.

An internal program must continuously manage:

• Drone condition and maintenance

• Batteries and components with short lifespans

• Software and firmware updates

• FAA-approved equipment configurations

These responsibilities continue year after year and require consistent oversight.

3. Drone Replacement Is More Complex Under BVLOS

BVLOS flights cover larger areas and stay airborne longer, which increases wear and tear on equipment. As a result:

• Drones and batteries reach end-of-life faster

• Sensors require more frequent recalibration

• Equipment upgrades happen more often

Under Part 108, replacing a drone is not a simple purchase. Equipment changes may require:

• Updated documentation

• FAA notification or review

• Operational delays during approval

  
  

This adds cost, staff time, and risk of missed project windows. Under Part 108, the type of aircraft used also affects operational requirements. Short-range multirotor platforms (such as quadcopters) and long-range fixed-wing or hybrid aircraft have different endurance, coverage, redundancy, and risk profiles. These differences can influence FAA approval, required mitigations, and replacement timelines.

Managing and transitioning between aircraft types under Part 108 adds additional documentation, review, administrative effort, and equipment costs. Contracting allows the County to benefit from appropriate aircraft selection without assuming the long-term responsibility of managing multiple platforms or FAA approval pathways.

4. FAA Administration Is Ongoing, Not One-Time

Part 108 compliance is a living process.

Any change to:

• Aircraft

• Sensors or cameras

• Software or firmware

• Communications systems

can require coordination with the FAA. Internal programs must dedicate staff time to keeping records current, responding to FAA requests, and ensuring ongoing compliance — often pulling staff away from their primary roles.

5. Contracting Transfers Management and Compliance Burden

When the County contracts a Part 108-qualified provider:

• The contractor manages the drone fleet

• The contractor handles maintenance and replacement

• The contractor maintains FAA approvals and documentation

• The contractor absorbs the compliance workload

The County receives the finished data without needing to manage aviation assets or federal regulatory processes.

6. Contracting Reduces Risk and Liability

BVLOS operations involve longer flights and larger operational areas, which naturally increase exposure.

If the County owns and operates the drones:

• The County assumes operational liability

• The County manages incident response

• The County carries regulatory risk

With a contracted provider:

• Operational responsibility is clearly assigned

• Aviation-specific insurance is in place

• Risk is contractually defined and transferred

This is especially important for routine, recurring flights used in tax assessment and public works.

7. Contracting Ensures Continuity and Stability

Internal drone programs often depend on one or two trained employees. If those employees leave or change roles, the program can quickly stall.

Contracted services:

• Do not depend on a single individual

• Continue regardless of staff turnover

• Stay current with FAA requirements and technology

This provides long-term reliability for essential government functions.

Addressing the Common Question: “Why Not Just Train One Employee?”

While staff can be trained to operate drones, Part 108 compliance is not centered on a single operator. It requires continuous system-level management, documentation, and FAA coordination.

Relying on one or two employees creates:

• Compliance risk

• Operational fragility

• Service interruptions if staff leave or certifications lapse

  
  

Contracting ensures continuity and compliance independent of individual personnel. A Part 108 BVLOS program requires more than a single trained pilot — it requires an operator to conduct missions, an administrator to maintain FAA documentation and approvals, and ongoing fleet maintenance and management to track equipment condition, software updates, and replacement cycles. Staffing and supporting these roles internally carries ongoing personnel, training, and administrative costs, in addition to the cost of equipment upkeep and replacement.

Conclusion

FAA Part 108 enables powerful new capabilities for aerial mapping, but it also transforms drone operations into an ongoing aviation management responsibility.

Operating an internal BVLOS program would require the County to:

• Manage and replace aviation equipment

• Maintain continuous FAA compliance

• Dedicate staff time to administration

• Field and processing time

• Assume increased liability and legal risk

  
  

By contracting Part 108 drone mapping services, the County:

• Avoids owning and managing aviation assets

• Transfers maintenance, replacement, and compliance responsibility

• Reduces legal and operational risk

• Receives reliable, defensible data

Under Part 108, contracting drone mapping services is the most responsible and sustainable approach for local government