Unmanned Aerial Systems: Domestic Statutory Issues

I. Introduction II. A Brief History of Aviation ... A. What Is an Unmanned Aerial System? ... B. Radio Controlled Airplanes ... C. History of Unmanned Aerial Systems ... D. Domestic Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems ... E. Future of Unmanned Aerial Systems III. Current Regulations … A. Federal Regulation of Airspace in the United States ... B. Local Laws Regarding Airspace ... C. Current Federal Regulations Concerning UAS ... D. Local Laws Regulating UAS ... E. Personal Property Rights Regarding Airspace IV. Some Foreseeable Problems of Domestic Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems ... A. Increased Air Traffic ... B. Tort Liability ... C. Trespass and Privacy Intrusion ... D. How Should the Law Respond? ... 1. Cede Control of Low Altitude Airspace to Local Jurisdictions ... 2. Establish a Fixed-Height Theory of Airspace Ownership over Private Property ... 3. Regulate Equipment and Operator Requirements V. Conclusio