Part 108 · BVLOS · Operator Playbook
Part 108 Is Coming. Most Operators Aren't Ready.
The operator's guide to preparing for the biggest regulatory shift in commercial drone history.
Written by Wesley Alexander, former Insitu/Boeing ScanEagle Commercial Chief Test Pilot and former UAS DPE for Insitu ScanEagle pilots and instructors.
Instant PDF download through Gumroad · 30-day money-back guarantee · Free updates through the final Part 108 rule · Individual license. Team licenses available.
From Amazon readers
Practical preparation. Concrete next steps.
Selected reader comments on the Part 108 BVLOS Readiness Playbook.
“I like that it focuses on practical readiness rather than just explaining the rules.”
Read “Drone book” on Amazon →
“I especially liked the 12 month action plan because it turns a complicated transition into concrete steps an operator can actually work through.”
Read “A Practical Roadmap for BVLOS Operators” on Amazon →
“I also liked that it goes beyond compliance and considers the business decisions involved in investing in BVLOS capabilities.”
Read “A Clear Roadmap for Commercial BVLOS Operations” on Amazon →
Excerpts from public Amazon reviews of the book, not reviews of the separate editable toolkit. Reader opinions are not FAA endorsement or a guarantee of regulatory approval.
The gap
The Part 108 problem nobody's talking about
You've seen the headlines. You've read the industry analysis. You know routine BVLOS is one of the biggest commercial opportunities in UAS history. But knowing Part 108 is coming is not the same as being ready to operate under it.
Most commercial operators are in the same position. The difference between the operators who capture the BVLOS market and those who watch from the sideline is preparation.
What's inside
200+ pages of actionable intelligence
This is not a regulatory summary you could get from a Google search. It is a complete operational playbook written from the cockpit, examiner's desk, and test-pilot chair.
The Regulatory Landscape
Where we are, how we got here, and why the waiver system is being replaced.
Part 108 Decoded
The proposed rule in plain English, including Part 107 vs. Part 108 comparisons.
Airworthiness & Declaration of Compliance
The Part 146 framework and whether current aircraft can qualify.
Electronic Conspicuity
ADS-B Out, Remote ID, and minimum viable conspicuity stacks by operation type.
Detect-and-Avoid Systems
Ground-based, airborne, and hybrid DAA approaches with vendor evaluation logic.
Operational Risk Assessment
SORA methodology, safety-case construction, and risk-assessment mistakes that kill applications.
BVLOS Operations Manual
SOPs, emergency procedures, CRM, maintenance tracking, and documentation that holds up.
Personnel & Training
PIC qualifications, Visual Observer requirements, and training program design from the DPE perspective.
Airspace Integration & Flight Planning
LAANC evolution, UTM roadmap, weather minimums, ATC coordination, and corridor operations.
Your 12-Month Action Plan
A phased transition strategy with milestones, budget planning templates, and decision frameworks.
Industry-Specific Applications
Energy, construction, public safety, agriculture, delivery, and infrastructure inspection.
The Business Case for BVLOS
ROI modeling, service pricing, competitive positioning, insurance, and the executive-ready investment case.
Plus 6 appendices: Part 108 reference guide with CFR citations, 50-point compliance checklist, equipment evaluation worksheet, sample ConOps outline, glossary, and additional resources. The Gumroad professional toolkit also supplies the working documents in editable formats.
Who it is for
If BVLOS is on your roadmap, this belongs in the planning binder.
Part 107 operators
Use it to identify what has to mature before routine BVLOS becomes operationally realistic.
Public-safety UAS teams
Map DFR and emergency-response ambitions against airspace, training, records, and procedures.
Enterprise drone programs
Brief leadership with a readiness roadmap rather than another regulatory wait-and-see memo.
Existing waiver holders
Find what may carry over, what may change, and where the Part 108 framework tightens the case.
This is for you if
- BVLOS is on your 2026–2027 roadmap.
- You need to explain Part 108 readiness to leadership or customers.
- You want a structured plan before buying aircraft, DAA, or consulting hours.
Not yet, if
- You only need basic Part 107 exam prep.
- You are not planning routine operations beyond visual line of sight.
- You want legal advice instead of operator-side planning.
Why $79?
Cheaper than one hour of confusion.
One hour with a serious aviation consultant costs more than this playbook. One wrong equipment assumption, poorly scoped operations manual, or late-stage training gap can cost far more.
Part 108 readiness work gets expensive when teams discover the gaps late: aircraft eligibility, DAA assumptions, electronic conspicuity, training plans, manual structure, insurance questions, leadership expectations, and customer commitments all start colliding at once.
The playbook is designed to give teams a shared operating picture before they spend real money on aircraft, vendors, waivers, consultants, or program commitments.
Available now
Choose the edition that fits the job.
The Kindle edition is a fixed reading copy. The print editions are built for desks, training rooms, and reference shelves. The Gumroad professional toolkit adds the current PDF, editable working documents, free updates through the final rule, and the Flight Test Guarantee.
Professional toolkit
$79
$149
- Instant PDF download
- Editable templates and checklists
- Free updates through the final rule
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Team licenses for 5+ copies: consulting@uavhq.com
Kindle
Digital reading edition
The fixed book-only edition for searchable, portable reading. Editable toolkit files and the Gumroad update program are not included.
Paperback
Paperback field copy · $45.99
For field desks, team libraries, and operators who want the playbook close at hand without opening a screen.
Hardcover
Hardcover reference copy · $64.99
A more durable edition for office libraries, training rooms, and leadership teams building a BVLOS readiness program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you buy
Is this legal or regulatory advice?
No. This is an educational and operational planning resource. It is not legal advice, regulatory advice, or an FAA-issued document. It is written to help operators understand the preparation work Part 108 is likely to require.
Part 108 is not final yet. Why prepare now?
Because the durable work does not wait for the final rule: operations manuals, training architecture, aircraft evaluation, DAA strategy, recordkeeping, safety cases, and business assumptions all take time. The operators who prepare first will be in a better position when the rule lands.
What do I get with the Gumroad bundle?
The professional toolkit includes the current PDF playbook plus editable working documents: a 50-point readiness checklist, equipment evaluation workbook, sample ConOps template, and 12-month action-plan tracker.
What is the difference between Kindle and the Gumroad toolkit?
Kindle is the fixed book-only reading edition. The Gumroad toolkit adds downloadable editable files, free updates through the final Part 108 rule, and the 30-day Flight Test Guarantee. Print editions are physical reference copies and do not include the Gumroad toolkit files.
Will I receive updates when the final rule changes?
Yes. The Gumroad edition includes free updates through the final Part 108 rule, so the digital copy can track the regulatory changes that matter.
Who is this best for?
Commercial Part 107 operators, public-safety UAS teams, enterprise drone programs, existing waiver holders, and leadership teams evaluating routine BVLOS operations.
Who should not buy it?
If you only need basic Part 107 test prep, are not planning routine BVLOS operations, or need legal representation instead of operator-side planning, this is probably not the right purchase yet.
Can my team use it?
The listed Gumroad purchase is an individual license. Team licenses for 5+ copies are available by emailing consulting@uavhq.com.
What if it is not useful?
The Flight Test Guarantee applies: read it, start the preparation checklist, and if it does not feel worth every dollar within 30 days, email for a refund. No questions, no hoops.
The Flight Test Guarantee
Read it. Start the checklist. If it does not help, get your money back.
Here's my commitment: if you read this guide, start the preparation checklist, and don't feel it was worth every dollar within 30 days, email me and I'll refund your purchase. No questions, no hoops.
I've spent my career testing things under real-world conditions. If this guide doesn't perform, I want to know about it. 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.
This is an educational and operational planning resource. It is not legal advice, regulatory advice, or an FAA-issued document. Part 108 remains proposed until the FAA publishes a final rule.