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 | https://www.agc.org/
Grant Hagen, Head of Community
DroneDeploy | https://www.dronedeploy.com/
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: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7VFSFT2
AGC's Comments on FAA 108: https://news.agc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FAA-2025-1908-2836_attachment_1.pdf
Article Overview on AGC News: https://news.agc.org/advocacy/faa-moves-to-allow-for-expanded-usage-of-drones/
The 2025 AI Resource Guide for Construction Professionals: https://www.agc.org/system/files?file=Files/TechHub/2025%20AI%20Resource%20Guide%20for%20Construction%20Professionals%20%28Final%29.pdf
DroneDeploy's Built Different Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-different/id1620061125
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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 | https://www.agc.org/
Grant Hagen, Head of Community
DroneDeploy | https://www.dronedeploy.com/
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: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7VFSFT2
AGC's Comments on FAA 108: https://news.agc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FAA-2025-1908-2836_attachment_1.pdf
Article Overview on AGC News: https://news.agc.org/advocacy/faa-moves-to-allow-for-expanded-usage-of-drones/
The 2025 AI Resource Guide for Construction Professionals: https://www.agc.org/system/files?file=Files/TechHub/2025%20AI%20Resource%20Guide%20for%20Construction%20Professionals%20%28Final%29.pdf
DroneDeploy's Built Different Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-different/id1620061125
Recorded July 2, 2025
Tariffs are in the spotlight, and construction firms are feeling the heat. In this episode of ConstructorCast, host Suzanne Hitt sits down with supply chain leaders Tim Jed (DPR Construction) and Jay Pendergrass (Gilbane Building) to unpack the real-world impact of tariffs on materials costs, project timelines, and client decisions. From supplier price hikes and shifting policies to smart strategies and collaborative solutions, this conversation gets into what contractors need to know now, and how to stay ahead in an unpredictable market.
Guests:
Tim Jed
TimJ@dpr.com
https://www.dpr.com
Jay Pendergrass
JPendergrass@GilbaneCo.com
https://www.gilbaneco.com
Resources:
AGC's Tariff Resource Center for Contractors: https://www.agc.org/tariff-resources-contractors
Webinar Slides: Pricing Impact by Trade and Gypsum Rock Drywall Example: https://www.agc.org/sites/default/files/Files/ConstructorCast/Q2-2025_MCR%20chart.pdf
DPR 2025 Q2 Market Conditions Report: https://www.agc.org/sites/default/files/Files/ConstructorCast/Q2-2025_Market-Conditions-Report.pdf
2025 AGC Workforce Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/93YZ22K
ConstructorCast
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 | https://www.agc.org/
Grant Hagen, Head of Community
DroneDeploy | https://www.dronedeploy.com/
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: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7VFSFT2
AGC's Comments on FAA 108: https://news.agc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FAA-2025-1908-2836_attachment_1.pdf
Article Overview on AGC News: https://news.agc.org/advocacy/faa-moves-to-allow-for-expanded-usage-of-drones/
The 2025 AI Resource Guide for Construction Professionals: https://www.agc.org/system/files?file=Files/TechHub/2025%20AI%20Resource%20Guide%20for%20Construction%20Professionals%20%28Final%29.pdf
DroneDeploy's Built Different Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-different/id1620061125