White Paper: Commercial Use Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Surveying The Regulatory Landscape

The enormous untapped economic potential for commercial (civil) and public (government) use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the United States is rapidly developing widespread recognition. Proponents envision regular unmanned flights for small vehicles weighing only ounces (with wingspans as short as 6 inches) to large cargo and passenger vehicles used to ferry people and products safely through an increasingly crowded National Airspace System (NAS). This paper will explore in greater detail the major players, the organizational structure, the progress to date, and the projected timetable for final regulations that open the U.S. NAS to unrestricted "file and fly" access for UAVs in a manner that protects the safety of both manned aircraft and the general public.