U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's comments signal hopes for BVLOS drone operation regulations, emphasizing the FAA's intent to propose rules.The push for BVLOS rules aims to enable scalable commercial drone applications like deliveries and drone-as-first-responder services.Regulatory clarity is seen as crucial to retaining U.S. leadership in drone innovation and preventing the import of foreign technologies.The BVLOS timeline has been marked by delays, with missed deadlines and bureaucratic processes hindering rulemaking progress.Stakeholders question the FAA's ability to meet the 2026 BVLOS rule deadline, citing staffing shortages and regulatory complexities.BVLOS rules would unlock opportunities in delivery services, emergency response drones, and infrastructure inspections, benefiting various sectors.Operators currently rely on slow and inconsistent FAA waivers for BVLOS operations, highlighting the need for streamlined regulations.Secretary Duffy's statements represent a shift towards normalizing BVLOS operations, but concrete progress is crucial to meeting regulatory deadlines.The FAA's ability to finalize BVLOS rules will be a litmus test for regulatory agility and U.S. competitiveness in the global drone sector.Stakeholders anticipate the release of the NPRM to kickstart public comment and shape the future of commercial drone innovation.