Drone Symposium at Ole Miss Explores Benefits and Challenges of Unmanned Aircraft
Oxford, Miss,
May 6, 2024 – The inaugural Mississippi Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Symposium took place Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at the University of Mississippi, where leading industry and legal experts gathered to scrutinize the potential benefits, commercial opportunities, and legal woes associated with drones.
The symposium was a joint effort of the University of Mississippi School of Law, the Mississippi State University Raspet Flight Research Laboratory, and the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology. The aim was to prompt attendees and participants to consider both current and future applications of drone technology.
Benefits of Drone Technology
“We’re even using UAS in search and rescue,” stated Griffin Sekul, uncrewed aircraft system coordinator for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. “We’re able to get into places we wouldn’t be able to get to and see the things that we wouldn’t be able to otherwise.”
The drone industry in the United States has seen significant growth since 2016, when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) loosened regulations around drone piloting. This change brought an influx of new drone pilots, with nearly a million Americans acquiring pilot’s licenses between 2016 and 2022.
Legal Challenges
Despite the industry’s growth, the laws regulating drone use continue to evolve. “One of the biggest barriers to drone delivery is the FAA’s rule restricting drone flight beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight,” said Grant Guillot, vice president of regulatory affairs for DroneUP, a drone delivery company.
Addressing this legality is not easy. As uncrewed aircraft become increasingly accessible, the potential for misuse also rises. “What’s to stop someone with nefarious purposes doing something bad with these drones in U.S. airspace?” queried Craig Morris, an instructional associate professor in the Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies at Ole Miss.
The need to safeguard both privacy and safety while leveraging the utility of drones puts a significant challenge on lawmakers. Regulatory expert Phillip Weissman explained, “While drones offer some amazing societal benefits, they also present some unique regulatory challenges.”
Looking to the Future
Even as the legal landscape adapts to accommodate drone technology, its usage continues to permeate various sectors. To meet the burgeoning demand, organizations are seeking to train a new generation of drone pilots and enthusiasts. “Anything we can do to introduce young girls and boys to this technology, anything we can do to broaden the workforce will be beneficial,” Guillot said.
Leading the charge in this regard is the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi. Dean of the law school, Fred Slabach, committed, “Our Center for Air and Space Law is tackling legal policy and regulatory aspects to help support the healthy growth of the drone industry.”
