Drone Law Today

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Our guest today is David Oneal, who with his wife Sarah Oneal form the dynamic duo behind That Drone Show! (Check them out on YouTube!) David and Sarah are changing the story about drones by showing the world why #DronesAreGood. They are the founders of International Drone Day and the producers of the upcoming documentary, The Drone Invasion. Our talk covers a range of topics, from how YOU can CREATE a media story about why #DronesAreGood in your community, to how girls scouts are earning merit badges for flying drones. We also talk about how David and Sarah can help your drone company with top of the line Drone Marketing Services. Check out our talk for the latest, and follow That Drone Show on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube! Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Follow @DroneLawToday on Twitter! What questions do you have about Drone Law? Click here to let us know! Nothing in this podcast is legal advice! Please don't make legal deci

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Today we talk about where the podcast is going, current events in the drone world, and the answers to listener questions. There are big changes coming to Drone Law Today this year, and this episode announces some big news that you won’t get anywhere else! Our talk dives into the “big news” this month in the drone law world, and what it all means for you. Listen in for the inside scoop! Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Listen in your browser!  Follow @DroneLawToday on Twitter! Links for you:  Blanket COA Rises to 400 Feet FAA’s List of 1100+ Approved Drone Models LOBBY OR DIE! FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016 (search for “preempt”) FAA Grants Approval for Nighttime Commercial Drone Flights Jonathan Rupprecht Interview Rick Roman Interview Section 333 Details  What questions do you have about Drone Law? Click here to let us know! Nothing in this podcast is legal advice! Please don’t make legal decisi

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Our guest today is Alex Workman, who with his wife Chelsea Workman are the dynamic duo behind Aerial Tallahassee. The Workmans moved to Tallahassee in 2014 after living the “big city” life in Atlanta. They started using drone photography to explore their new home, and in a short while their photography has captured the imagination of the community.   Alex discusses how Aerial Tallahassee has established relationships with local and state government officials, the FAA, and Air Traffic Control personnel to promote responsible, safe use of drone technology. They even taught the Mayor how to fly a drone!   The mission of Aerial Tallahassee is to unite the community by showing us all things that we knew were there, but took for granted. Seeing your community from a new perspective is transformative – and you can make that transformation happen where you live, Drone Law Nation!   Two phrases came out of our conversation: First, that we must Honor And

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Our guest today is attorney Jed Bodger, General Counsel and Tax Director with the Hamilton Company and consultant with the Bodger Law Practice. Jed’s legal interests span the worlds of both drone law AND state tax law! Why is that exciting? Because he’s just like me that way! SO: get ready for us to geek out on state taxation of drone operations! Jed is involved in the drone industry as a thinker and a writer, exploring how the commercialization of drones will be touched by state and local taxation. Jed was introduced to the drone world while working as Board Counsel for the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems.   When Jed was involved, the state of Nevada was applying for designation as one of the FAA’s six “test sites” under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Jed helped with Nevada’s successful application, and has not stopped thinking about drones since.   Our talk focuses on taxation of drone technology. The touch

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Our guest today is attorney Jon Harris Maurer with the Hopping Green & Sams law firm in Tallahassee, Florida. Jon Harris and I recently co-presented on “drone law” in the land use and environmental law area, and it went so well I had to bring him on the podcast! Jon Harris’ practice focuses primarily on environmental law, including the siting and licensing of energy facilities, natural gas pipelines, and associated transmission infrastructure. He assists his clients in navigating multi-agency review under Florida’s Power Plant Siting Act, Transmission Line Siting Act, and Natural Gas Pipeline Siting Act. Jon Harris’ interest in drone law stems from his monitoring and review of Florida’s “drone law” proposals in the last Legislative Session (none of which passed). Jon Harris shares his insight on drone zoning issues and state regulation. Some resources we mentioned are the Bard College Drone Exemption Review and the FAA State L

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Our guest today is attorney Mark Connot with the Fox Rothschild law firm in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mark is an experienced commercial litigator with a practice focused on complex business disputes in federal and state courts. Mark has a lengthy background in the legal issues created by emerging technologies. Mark and his law firm publish the “On the Radar” blog that dives into the specific legal issues faced by commercial drone companies. Our conversation dives into all sorts of legal issues facing the drone industry, including drone insurance; state preemption of local drone ordinances; possible federal preemption of state drone laws; Nevada’s experience as an FAA-approved drone “test site”; why the FAA has nothing to do with privacy regulation, and a whole lot more. Listen in for the latest, and make sure to contact Mark for more about his work in the drone industry. Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Follow @DroneLawToday on Twitter! Wha

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Today we talk drone insurance with Rick Roman of Gulf Coast Underwriters (http://gcuins.com/). Mr. Roman has been in the insurance industry for over 25 years, and is a pioneer in the field of “drone insurance.” Gulf Coast Underwriters was one of the first agencies in the country to insure drones used in commercial applications. Today, Rick brings his experience to you. How do you know you have the right drone coverage for your commercial operation? Why do you need specific “drone” coverage if your business already has a general liability policy? What kinds of policies will pay for your legal costs? How do you know if legal costs are “in addition to” your liability limits, or if they “eat into” your liability coverage? Does your drone insurance policy cover privacy violations under state law? What about operations over lots of people – like at concerts or sporting events? Rick breaks down these questions for us on today&rsquo

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Today our guest is John Clyatt, President of Pickett & Associates. Pickett is a privately owned surveying and mapping firm celebrating over 50 years of success. Centrally located in the Florida peninsula, Pickett’s primary service area covers the Southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean Islands. Pickett offers turnkey surveying and mapping services on land, sea, and water. Pickett is on the “bleeding edge” of new technology in the surveying and mapping world. That tech-forward focus has led John to bring his company into the world of drones and other autonomous vehicles to aid in the surveying and mapping process. Our talk focuses on how drones can impact the surveying and mapping industry, the “data collection” value proposition of drone technology, and the frustrating state of FAA drone regulations for companies trying to “do it right.” We also touch on state drone regulation and how “technology neutral” laws are critical f

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Today Vince Donohue of Vortex UAS is back to help answer your drone law questions! What kind of pilot’s license should drone operators get? Should drone entrepreneurs “wait” for Part 107 to come out, or file for their 333 Exemption right now? What is the most critical question facing the drone industry today? How can the drone community act now to change the future, to set the tone for a competent, professional, and trustworthy drone industry? Listen in to find out! Check out Vortex’s upcoming training opportunities at www.vortexuas.com, or by email at info@vortexuas.com. Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Follow @DroneLawToday on Twitter! What questions do you have about Drone Law? Click here to let us know! Nothing in this podcast is legal advice! Please don’t make legal decisions for yourself or your business before consulting counsel of your choice. Download your FREE copy of “The Drone Revolution: How Robotic Aviat

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Today, John Wright returns to the podcast with an update on drone law in the E.U. and Ireland! When we last checked in with John, he was a practicing lawyer in Ireland, a drone pilot, and director of FlightPath Consulting. He is still doing all of those things, AND he’s the chairman of the newly organized Unmanned Aircraft Association of Ireland. John checks in with us to go over the latest in Ireland’s drone regulations, including drone registration requirements for hobbyists. The E.U. is taking bold, progressive steps in drone regulation. The focus there is on a “risk based” regulatory model. The U.S. system can learn a lot from the E.U.’s approach to sUAS regulation – a risk based model is likely a better approach to creating a thriving commercial drone industry. Check out our episode for all the latest, and drop John a line at john.wright@flightpath.ie! Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Follow @DroneLawToday on Twitter! What

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Our guest today is Lucas Armeña, of Airlas, LLC. Lucas joined the drone community in 2013 as a graduate researcher of the emergency management and business continuity program of New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). He carved out a special topical area on emerging drone policy issues and legislation and achieved the first flights of public UAS in the state’s NAS as the site administrative operations officer. In 2015, along with two other members of NJIT’s UAS Working group, Lucas co-founded Airlas LLC which advises a growing clientele of public and private agencies as they stand up drone operations. The trio of New Jersey natives ─ providing close to sixty combined years of emergency service ─ were first responders during the events of September 11, 2001. Lucas focuses his efforts on drone policy, regulation, and intergovernmental affairs. Some of his other efforts include education of State, county, and local governing bodies along the eastern seaboard

Welcome back to another Drone Law Today Q&A! Today we’re talking about Arizona’s proposed drone law, which may stop local governments from banning drone flights. We also talk about what a “public” aircraft is, how drones as “public aircraft” can operate with a COA (without a Section 333 Exemption), and how drone operators can find out if their operations are allowed in a particular area. Listen in for the latest! Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Follow @DroneLawToday on Twitter! Airmap.io Arizona’s proposed drone law (legislative website) Arizona’s proposed drone law (.pdf of current version as of Feb. 23, 2016) Public Aircraft Advisory Circular: AC 00-1.1A (effective 2/12/14) What questions do you have about Drone Law? Click here to let us know! Nothing in this podcast is legal advice! Please don’t make legal decisions for yourself or your business before consulting counsel of your choice. Download your FREE copy of “The

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Our guest today is drone entrepreneur J.R. Sims from Highlik Aerials, LLC. Mr. Sims is the co-founder of the company, which is set to become a full service aerial photography and videography company based in Tallahassee, Florida. Highlik Aerials has submitted its 333 Exemption Application and will move full-speed ahead once they receive it. J.R. and his co-founder, Ian Apple, are both students at Florida State University in Tallahassee. These entrepreneurs are part of a startup incubator, Domi Station, and are creating something great here in Florida’s capital. Our discussion touches on the taxation of drones as aircraft, the importance of new businesses getting involved with the larger startup community, and how a business community grows best by working together. You can find out more about Highlik Aerials on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @HighLikPics, and via email at highlikaerials@gmail.com. Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Follow @DroneLawToday on

Welcome back Drone Law Nation! We’re here with the latest on the AIRR Act, Justice Scalia’s passing, and listener questions. We also take a minute to remember the crazy Valentine’s weekend in 2015 when the FAA announced the small drone rule on a Sunday Morning conference call. How did that happen? Listen in for the latest: Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Follow @DroneLawToday on Twitter! The AIRR Act Micro-Drone Amendment to the AIRR Act Valentine’s Drones What questions do you have about Drone Law? Click here to let us know! Nothing in this podcast is legal advice! Please don’t make legal decisions for yourself or your business before consulting counsel of your choice. Download your FREE copy of “The Drone Revolution: How Robotic Aviation Will Change the World,” right here: CLICK FOR BOOK! Keep on flying, Steve

Drone Law Nation, today we are talking about Drones in Silicon Valley with Gretchen West! Gretchen is a senior advisor with the Hogan Lovells law firm. Gretchen has served the unmanned systems and drone industry over a decade and is an industry-leading advocate for commercial drones, innovation, entrepreneurship, and robotics. Prior to joining Hogan Lovells, Gretchen was at San Francisco start-up DroneDeploy serving as the company's Vice President of Business Development and Regulatory Affairs. Previously, for over a decade, Gretchen served as Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International's (AUVSI) Executive Vice President, overseeing AUVSI's global business development initiatives, international growth strategy, marketing, government relations, and advocacy efforts for the unmanned systems and robotics industry. Gretchen currently is the National Advisory Board Chairperson for UAVUS (uavus.org), serves on the Advisory Board for the Drone World Expo and is a contributing writer for the Drone Coalitio

Welcome back, Drone Law Nation! Today’s guest is attorney Jessica Palvino with the McGinnis Lochridge firm in Austin, Texas. Jessica is one of the leaders of her law firm’s UAV practice, and is the chief “expert/blogger” at www.droneadvocates.com. An entrepreneur at heart, Jessica is a board member of the Austin-based “Thinkery,” which she describes as “a foundry for a new generation of innovators and problem solvers.” Our talk goes into Texas drone law, how regulatory uncertainty hurts the growth of the drone industry, and how alliances between the drone community and other industries will shift the balance of power in state drone law. Follow Jessica on Twitter at @jessicapalvino for the latest in Texas drone law! Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Follow @DroneLawToday on Twitter! What questions do you have about Drone Law? Click here to let us know! Nothing in this podcast is legal advice! Please don’t make legal decisions for you

Drone Law Nation, we’re back to answer your questions! But first, a note on the stories we tell ourselves. Seth Godin had a recent blog post about the power of stories surrounding new technology. A lot of the “problems” surrounding the public perception of drones are about the stories that appear in the minds of people who hear the word “drone.” If we want to change the perception, we must change the story. Part of that is showing what the technology can do. Part of that is abiding by the law. Most of it is about what we do, every day, and the stories that those actions tell. Let’s make a good story, Drone Law Nation. With that in mind, we answer questions about the FAA’s power to regulate hobbyist drones, and what to do when the AMA guidelines are different than the FAA’s "Know Before You Fly" guidance on how to fly safely. Listen in for the latest! Download link: Motion to Dismiss Filed in the Pirker Case Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Follow @Dron

Drone Law Nation, today we talk with Chris Poreda of Poreda Aviation Law (http://poredaaviationlaw.com/). Chris spent 25 years as an FAA attorney, managing the FAA’s New England Regional Counsel’s office. Chris also taught aviation law at the New England School of Law. Chris is now retired and is consulting with drone businesses on FAA compliance and related matters. Our discussion touches on many aspects of aviation law as applied to drones, including the role of Advisory Circulars, regulations, and aviation statutes. Chris brings a practical point of view to the emerging drone industry based on his decades of experience. Listen in for the latest on what the regs are today and how things might change in the future. Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Follow @DroneLawToday on Twitter! What questions do you have about Drone Law? Click here to let us know! Nothing in this podcast is legal advice! Please don’t make legal decisions for yourself or your business before consu

Drone Law Nation, we’re back to answer your questions! Is a Section 333 Exemption absolutely necessary for commercial drone operations? How much does the exemption cost? How do you “lobby” your state for better drone laws? Listen in for all that and more! Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Amazon Link for “The Drone Revolution” Book Follow @DroneLawToday on Twitter! What questions do you have about Drone Law? Click here to let us know! Nothing in this podcast is legal advice! Please don’t make legal decisions for yourself or your business before consulting counsel of your choice. Download your FREE copy of “The Drone Revolution: How Robotic Aviation Will Change the World,” right here: CLICK FOR BOOK! Keep on flying, Steve

Welcome to the Drone Law Today Podcast! Today we talk with Stephen Myers, CEO and founder of Angel Eyes UAV. Our law firm and Angel Eyes go “way back,” as we filed an amicus curiae brief in the Pirker case together in 2014.  Mr. Myers approaches the drone industry from a technology background, and delivers value to customers by providing data products that improve the customer’s business. You can learn more about Angel Eyes at the company website (www.angeleyesuav.com), or by a toll-free call at (855) 814-UAVS (8287). Our talk touches on state and federal drone law in the U.S., how the current state of U.S. drone law is causing other countries to get ahead with drone technology, and what the AUVSI Florida Peninsula Chapter is doing to make Florida a friendly place for drone companies. Listen in iTunes! Listen in Stitcher! Follow @DroneLawToday on Twitter! What questions do you have about Drone Law? Click here to let us know! Nothing in this podcast is legal advice! P