ABSTRACT
Emerging technologies such as drones create a range of regulatory challenges. Any proposed regulatory approach needs to cover the complex web of airspace integration, safety, security, noise, environment, privacy, safe and efficient electric take-off and landing vehicles, infrastructure, technology trials and central coordination. These are all important issues and are integral to the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework that will allow countries to benefit from the considerable opportunities provided by drones.
This chapter provides an overview of the evolving regulatory environment in which drones operate. The skills of the regulator or regulators must adjust beyond traditional aviation to address the operation and deployment of drones in contexts such as the maritime environment or high-density-population inner city areas. Moreover, the interplay between national, state and often local laws, in areas like noise control, adds complexity to the regulatory oversight of operators and to costs of compliance. These issues and others, such as transnational uniformity, registration and licencing, and technology issues, are introduced and expanded upon in subsequent chapters.
