Abstract
By 2020, there will be at least seven million civilian drones flying in the low-altitude airspace above the United States. Civilian drones include unmanned aerial vehicles operated by both private individuals for recreational and business entities for commercial purposes. While this budding technology has the potential to be a positive influence on society as a whole, civilian drone regulation at both the state and federal level lags behind growing drone usage across the country. As of now, the Federal Aviation Administration has administered a small rule that provides some regulation on the use of civilian drones. Many questions remain, however, as to the property rights that landowners on the ground have against drones and their operators flying in the low-altitude airspace above their property. This Note examines the common law torts of trespass and nuisance and analyzes how both doctrines would apply to a drone flying low above an individual’s land. Furthermore, this Note argues that the federal government is best suited to regulate civilian drones used for commercial purposes, whereas individual states should regulate the use of drones by private individuals.
Files
Metadata
- Subject
Administrative Law
Air and Space Law
Property Law and Real Estate
Torts
- Journal title
Boston College Law Review
- Volume
59
- Issue
6
- Pagination
2135
- Date submitted
6 September 2022