Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell represents entities seeking to either use or regulate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), with an emphasis on advising local governments. The rapidly expanding demand for the use of UAS in the commercial, public, and private sectors presents particular challenges for local governments. Public entities are uniquely positioned as both potential users and regulators of UAS. In addition, federal law governing the technical, operational, and licensing criteria for UAS vehicles and operators is still developing and will remain unsettled for some years.
As the technology evolves and new uses for UAS emerge, public entities are likely to encounter the following issues:
We assist public sector clients in drafting ordinances to regulate the use of UAS and in seeking FAA authority to operate UAS for public utility inspections. Our expertise in municipal law and familiarity with FAA’s regulatory programs allow us to provide our public sector clients with the range of legal strategies necessary to evaluate each circumstance and craft effective programs and ordinances for the use and management of UAS.