Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are the latest innovation in the aviation industry and have dramatically changed the way numerous industries inspect, document, and secure their assets and processes. UAS present tremendous opportunities to a wide variety of companies and industries. Steptoe’s lawyers are well-versed in the regulatory process involved with obtaining authority to operate UAS, establishing compliant in-house UAS operations, and resolving the many legal questions that arise in the context of UAS operations. We practice frequently before and enjoy longstanding relationships with all of the relevant agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). We have the experience and skills necessary to solve the commercial, regulatory and legal issues that arise in the context of UAS.
Our experience in aviation law, where we assist aviation industry leaders in a variety of matters before federal agencies and advise on the evolving commercial and regulatory issues facing the aviation industry, gives us the insight to provide sound regulatory compliance and commercial advice for clients working with UAS. We assist clients in obtaining necessary exemptions and waivers, and help them navigate new, groundbreaking rules issued by the FAA. Our lawyers have experience and insight into the future of regulatory and investigative developments in the UAS industry. For example, the National Transportation Safety Board has confirmed it will investigate significant UAS accidents and our decades of experience handling a range of NTSB accident investigations allow us to assist our clients with accident preparedness and response activities. We also participate in various FCC and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regulatory proceedings to establish the rules that will permit unmanned aircraft to provide broadband Internet access services.
News & Publications
Press Releases
Law360 Names Steptoe a 'Transportation Group of the Year' for Fourth Year
February 18, 2020
Media Mentions
Law360 Quotes Jaques, Lipe on 2020 Transportation Legislation, Regulation
January 6, 2020
Publications
Unpacking the New FAA Certification Requirement for UAS Delivery
Unmanned Aerial
March 20, 2019
By: Dane Jaques
Press Releases
Law360 Names Steptoe a 'Transportation Group of the Year' for Third Straight Year
March 4, 2019
Media Mentions
Law360 Quotes Jaques, LaRocca on Transportation Regulation to Watch in 2018
January 2, 2018
Media Mentions
Law360 Quotes Dane Jaques on Restoration of Universal Drone Registration
Law360
December 15, 2017
Events
Webinars
Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Infrastructure Inspection
June 13, 2017
Speakers: Carol R. Gosain, Dane Jaques
Webinars
Real World Accident Response: The NTSB
February 28, 2017
Speakers: David H. Coburn, Dane Jaques