Oversight Methods for Domestic Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Use
Memorandum
TO: Congressman Ed Markey, Congressional Bipartisan Privacy Caucus
FROM:
RE: Oversight methods for domestic UAV use
Date: May 24, 2012
Background
Until recently, almost all domestic use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At the behest of Congress however, the FAA has begun to take incremental steps to allow the widespread use of
UAVs throughout the United States. In the first rulemaking since it was asked to ease regulations, the FAA has allowed public safety departments to use UAVs up to 25 pounds without going through a special permitting process. Within days of the announcement, the
FAA received over 60 applications for permission to operate the vehicles in domestic airspace.1 While the FAA is starting small, the variety of today’s UAVs runs the gamut: from nearly undetectable bird-size miniatures to airliner-size behemoths, and from ones that can stay aloft for only minutes to blimps and solar-powered machines that will remain in the air for months or years.2
Demand for the services that UAVs provide will only increase, and the expense of operating them will only decrease. The desire for UAVs is not limited to police and fire
1
Levin, Alan. “Drones up to 25 pounds allowed for US Safety agencies.” Bloomberg
News, May 14, 2012. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-14/drones-up-to-25pounds-allowed-for-u-s-safety-agencies.html
2
Villasenor, John. “The Drone Threat to National Security.” Scientific American,
November 11, 2011.
1
departments, but extends to universities, commercial entities, and even individuals. The ability of UAVs to provide real-time information from the air is an extremely useful asset that should, in many cases, be encouraged. However, as the use of UAVs begins to climb, so will concerns over privacy. The capability to provide detailed, extensive, and even intrusive surveillance on private citizens requires a thoughtful approach to protecting the privacy that many
TO: Congressman Ed Markey, Congressional Bipartisan Privacy Caucus
FROM:
RE: Oversight methods for domestic UAV use
Date: May 24, 2012
Background
Until recently, almost all domestic use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At the behest of Congress however, the FAA has begun to take incremental steps to allow the widespread use of
UAVs throughout the United States. In the first rulemaking since it was asked to ease regulations, the FAA has allowed public safety departments to use UAVs up to 25 pounds without going through a special permitting process. Within days of the announcement, the
FAA received over 60 applications for permission to operate the vehicles in domestic airspace.1 While the FAA is starting small, the variety of today’s UAVs runs the gamut: from nearly undetectable bird-size miniatures to airliner-size behemoths, and from ones that can stay aloft for only minutes to blimps and solar-powered machines that will remain in the air for months or years.2
Demand for the services that UAVs provide will only increase, and the expense of operating them will only decrease. The desire for UAVs is not limited to police and fire
1
Levin, Alan. “Drones up to 25 pounds allowed for US Safety agencies.” Bloomberg
News, May 14, 2012. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-14/drones-up-to-25pounds-allowed-for-u-s-safety-agencies.html
2
Villasenor, John. “The Drone Threat to National Security.” Scientific American,
November 11, 2011.
1
departments, but extends to universities, commercial entities, and even individuals. The ability of UAVs to provide real-time information from the air is an extremely useful asset that should, in many cases, be encouraged. However, as the use of UAVs begins to climb, so will concerns over privacy. The capability to provide detailed, extensive, and even intrusive surveillance on private citizens requires a thoughtful approach to protecting the privacy that many