Effect of New Age Technology on International Air Law : An Example of UAS

Abstract

This study provides an analysis of the historical development of international air law and highlights current international air law applicable to UAS. It argues that international air law was historically drafted to ensure the safe operation of aircraft on an international scale and to ensure the consistent development of the civil aviation industry. The study then moves to discuss the key technologies that have been developed and/or are currently under development which enable UAS. It highlights that the technology is developing very rapidly and that there is an abundance of technology that can perform the same necessary aviation tasks performed by pilots and required by regulations.

Following the above discussion, the study identifies and provides an in-depth analysis of the current international air law that is applicable to UAS, and what impact it has on UAS and vice versa. It argues that due to the rapid growth in technology, international air law has simply not been able to keep pace with the emerging technologies. This has resulted in fragmented international legislation with many aspects of UAS being left simply unregulated. It provides the basis for why new a new framework of international legislation is required in order to remedy the issues identified in this study, so that UAS can be integrated successfully into civil aviation globally.

Finally, an international legal framework is suggested by the writer and discussed in detail. In order to remedy the failure of current international air law to regulate UAS, two new Annexes to the Chicago Convention are suggested (and their possible content discussed) on the basis that a strong foundation must be laid in order to allow international air law and global regulations to grow and develop alongside the rapidly growing technology and continue to aid in the development of international aviation due to the inevitability of such UAS technology becoming thoroughly integrated into international aviation.