FAA Publishes Final Environmental Assessment for UAS Package Delivery Operations
Read the official document (2026-15417)
Who should care: Part 135 drone-delivery operators.
This notice does not change the rules you fly under. FAA completed a programmatic environmental assessment for the analyzed Part 135 drone package-delivery action and found that it would not cause significant impacts with implementation of the mitigation measures specified in the final PEA.
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Who this affectsWhat the document saysWhat changes in practiceWhat it does not doDoes this affect the Part 107 exam?Who this affects
Most directly, Part 135 drone package-delivery operators and companies seeking FAA authorization for delivery operations, plus environmental compliance staff and anyone tracking drone delivery. No remote pilot's operating rules change.
What the document says
The FAA made available its Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and Finding of No Significant Impact / Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for commercial drone package delivery under Part 135. FAA completed a programmatic environmental assessment for the analyzed Part 135 drone package-delivery action and found that it would not cause significant impacts with implementation of the mitigation measures specified in the final PEA.
What changes in practice
This notice does not amend Part 107 operating rules or itself authorize a flight. FAA intends to use the PEA when evaluating subsequent delivery-operator authorization requests; individual proposals may still require additional environmental analysis.
What it does not do
It does not change any regulation. It does not grant new operational authority. It does not close or open any airspace. It does not modify Part 107 or any other operating rule. It does not set new requirements for remote pilots, remote ID, or operations over people. It does not establish a new category of operation. It is a step in the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process: a finding of no significant impact that depends on the mitigation measures in the final PEA.
Does this affect the Part 107 exam?
This notice does not amend Part 107 operating rules or announce changes to examination standards. Use the current FAA Remote Pilot Airman Certification Standards to guide examination preparation.
Gear mentioned on this page
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High-end camera drones, such as the DJI Mavic 3 Pro
An optional example of a camera drone designed for aerial photography and video. It is not connected to the notice on this page.See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed and updated September 2026.
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