1-Hour Program

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Overview

In recent years, drones (also known as unmanned aircraft systems or “UAS”) have revolutionized American commerce and recreation.   Millions of UAS are operating across the country, modernizing industries ranging from filmmaking to construction, agriculture to insurance.  Countless Americans use UAS for fun. 

As UAS and related technologies transform business and hobbies, Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”), state governments and local authorities struggle to manage the disruption.  Lawmakers and regulators must grapple with serious questions about the extent of UAS operations and the related issues of safety, privacy, cybersecurity, and drone defenses.  Additional future advancements such as operations over non-participants, widespread package delivery, UAS carrying passengers, and UAS traffic management will only further complicate and compound these issues.   

This briefing will update participants on what the law currently permits, how to obtain permission to operate beyond those restrictions, and where the law is headed in the coming months and years.  Additionally the presenters will address controversial issues such as local control, preemption, airspace ownership, and the federal laws prohibiting downing or interfering with UAS in flight. 

This unique briefing brings together two of the foremost UAS legal experts on the changing legal landscape of UAS and co-leaders of at Baker & McKenzie LLP UAS practice: Jennifer E. Trock, the Chair of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Air & Space Law Committee on Drone Regulations, Operations, and Litigation and Kenneth P. Quinn, Chair of Baker’s Global Aviation Practice.   

Topics to be covered, with opportunities for Q&A, will include: 

  • FAA Reauthorization Legislation—when will it happen and what will it mean for UAS?
  • Potential FAA Rules for 2017-2018—including operations over non-participants, nighttime operations, and a separate regime for microdrones
  • Registration of UAS and the D.C. Circuit’s Taylor decision
  • FAA enforcement of existing restrictions, in coordination with state and local authorities
  • Federal versus State regulatory authority and the tricky issue of preemption
  • Drone defenses—what can a landowner legally do to prevent drone operations overhead in order to protect privacy and trade secrets?
  • How much airspace does a landowner actually “own” over property?

Credit Details