Revolutionizing Construction with Autonomous Drones

Rapid advances in drone technology are reshaping construction, from jobsite safety and progress tracking to automation and AI-powered insights. And with the FAA’s newly proposed Part 108 rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, the industry may soon see its biggest leap yet.

In this episode of ConstructorCast, host Max Nelson sits down with:
Spencer Phillips, Counsel, Regulatory and Litigation Advocacy, AGC of America 
Grant Hagen, Head of Community, DroneDeploy

Together, they break down what contractors need to know about the proposed rule, including:

• How BVLOS operations differ from the current Part 107 limitations
• What “airworthiness acceptance” means and how it could impact the drone market
• How contractors would certify their drone programs, not just individual pilots
• The shift toward autonomous and remote piloting 
• The opportunities and risks as drones integrate into the national airspace
• The timeline for FAA rulemaking and how contractors can engage in the process 
• Whether your firm is already using drones or just considering what’s next, this conversation helps demystify the regulatory landscape and paints a clear picture of what the future of drone usage in construction may look like. 

Resources: 

• 2026 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook Survey
• AGC's Comments on FAA 108
• Article Overview on AGC News
• The 2025 AI Resource Guide for Construction Professionals
• DroneDeploy's Built Different Podcast