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Aviation Legislation

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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are pilotless vehicles that can be used in several ways. Technology has increasingly led to new ventures which seek to use the UAV in transportation. Although a great step and a better option for the crisis found in using roads, some regulations in the aviation sector need to be adjusted. The main aim is due to security issues that may come with these vehicles. Since the September 11 attack in the United States, security has been a major concern especially when it comes to aviation. The same case applies internationally where terrorism has posed a great challenge to the people. Therefore, although security measures vary from country to country, some regulations apply internationally. They target to enhance the protection of the people from unseen threats posed by the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

In the United States, the FAA has put regulations that restrict the use of recreational or commercial UAV especially near airports or the controlled areas (Winkler, Zeadally& Evans, 2018). There are various reasons why regulation is put in place. First of all, it is for enhancing the safety of the other aircraft. The UAV can pose threats of collisions in the airspace. Secondly, it is for security reasons. The UAV is the easiest way the terrorists can use to access the airports and carry out the attacks. Therefore, allowed usage in the airports poses challenges.

Internationally, Article 8 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation that was introduced in 1944 clearly states that an aircraft that is capable of flying without a pilot cannot be flown over a contracting state especially when there is no authorization (Huttunen, 2017). Therefore, the use of UAVs is restricted internationally especially when they are moving from one state to another. The main reason for this regulation was due to safety. The states wanted to protect their people and property from the possibility of harm. The aircraft that is operating without a pilot on board presents several hazards to civil aviation.

These regulations, however, must change in the future. Inventions are making it possible for people to move across either states or cities using the UAV. The main aim is to increase efficiency in the transportation sector. Therefore, the international regulations on not allowing the UAVs into other states without authorization might change (Çoban&Oktay, 2018). The operations of these vehicles with time will become like those of aircraft. They will have to pick and drop passengers in the airports or other destinations. The same case will apply to the regulations of UAV in controlled airspaces.

The best approach in the future to change these regulations is to base the decisions on risk management. The possible hazards must be identified and mitigated so that the new equipment and procedures do not bring a change in the aviation industry (Uweh&Ruhaeni, 2018). Through state safety programs, and the safety management systems, it will be possible to make the changes in aviation regulations and run the UAV as smoothly as the normal aircraft.

In conclusion, the aviation regulations on UAV have been strict over the years. Safety was stated as the main reason these regulations were in place. Internationally, it was accepted that pilotless aircrafts had several hazards. Therefore, with the invention of UAV which is supposed to bring a change to the transportation sector, it will be important to change the regulations in the future. These vehicles must be allowed to controlled areas because they will be transporting people. However, the security and safety measures must be in place. Although their use is meant to enhance efficiency, it can be misused especially by terrorists.

References

Çoban, S., &Oktay, T. (2018).Legal and Ethical Issues of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Journal of Aviation, 2(1), 31-35.

Huttunen, M. (2017). Unmanned, remotely piloted, or something else? analyzing the terminological dogfight. Reprinted from Air & Space Law, 42(3), 349-368.

Uweh, A. L., &Ruhaeni, N. (2018). In Search of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regulations State Practices and International Law Perspective What Indonesia can Learn?. Brawijaya Law Journal, 5(1), 54-73.

Winkler, S., Zeadally, S., & Evans, K. (2018). Privacy and civilian drone use: The need for further regulation. IEEE Security & Privacy, 16(5), 72-80.