Drone Law and Policy

de Ronald Schnitker, Dick van het Kaar

The use of unmanned aircrafts, commonly known as drones, is developing at a fast pace worldwide. Drones are extremely versatile and capable of performing a wide variety of applications. However, applicable regulations are still lagging behind in technological progress and volume growth. The authors provide an in-depth study on prevailing drone law and policy in order to achieve a seamless integration of drone technology into the legal order of civil aviation. The drone market largely depends on the successful implementation of such a comprehensive international regulatory framework that will allow for safe, secure and environmentally friendly operations, while technologies must be mature enough to ensure full integration of drones into non-segregated airspace in the foreseeable future. Monitoring, evaluating and analysing drone operations is a continuous and systematic process, generating knowledge and best practices, also for streamlining such an all-encompassing regulatory framework.