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Technology Buying Guide 2023: Drones

Introduction

The best drone for the money in 2023 can record stunning 4K aerial video, fold up in a backpack for ultimate portability, and yet remain easy for beginning to master.

Books

Aviation Law and Drones: Unmanned Aircraft and the Future of Aviation by David Hodgkinson
Call Number: K 4105 .H63
Publication Date: 2018
Drones across America: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulation and State Laws by Sarah Nilsson
Call Number: KF 2406 .N55
Publication Date: 2017
International Regulation of Non-Military Drones by Anna Masutti
Call Number: K 4105 .M63
Publication Date: 2018

Drone Laws

49 U.S.C. § 40103(b)(2)
Gives the FAA broad authority to prescribe regulations to protect individuals and property on the ground and to prevent collisions between aircraft, between aircraft and land or water vehicles, and between aircraft and airborne objects.
14 CFR Part 107
The FAA regulations.
Remote ID Final Rule
This rule was effective March 16, 2021, except for amendatory instruction 19, adding subpart C to part 89, which became effective September 16, 2022.
Operation of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Over People and at Night Final Rule
This rule was effective March 16, 2021, except for the amendments to Sec. Sec. 107.61, 107.63, 107.65, 107.73, and 107.74 which were effective March 1, 2021.

Forms

FAA Drone Zone
Registration of your drone with the FAA is required. Do it here.

Reviews

The best drone 2023 : DJI Mini 3 Pro is the best drone for most people
TechRadar 9/6/23
The Best Drones for 202
PCMag 10/4/23

Links

Advisory on the Application of Federal Laws to the Acquisition and Use of Technology to Detect and Mitigate Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Justice Dept. 8/25/20
Alabama company unveils world’s biggest drone & new space vision
Huntsville Real Time News 12/5/20
Common Visions for a Killer Robots Treaty
Human Rights Watch July 2021
DHS Has Limited Capabilities to Counter Illicit Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Inspector General Report 7/20
Feds flew an unarmed Predator drone over Minneapolis protests to provide “situational awareness”
Recode 6/1/20
Google’s Wing warns new drone laws ‘may have unintended consequences’ for privacy. Alphabet’s drone delivery company still wants drones tracked — but differently
The Verge 1/1/21
Iran’s Game of Drones
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. 3/22

Unmanned Aircraft Systems FAA’s Compliance and Enforcement Approach for Drones Could Beneﬁt from Improved Communication and Data
GAO Report to Congress 10/19

Your Drone Can Give Cops a Surprising Amount of your Data: Crime Investigators are Gleaning a host of Personal Information from a Recovered Drone, such as where its owner lives, Credit Card Numbers, and Email Addresses
Wired.com 11/16/18
Man shoots down drone, gets hit with felony charges in Minnesota.
Ars Technica 5/16/20
Stopping Killer Robots Country Positions on Banning Fully Autonomous Weapons and Retaining Human Control
Human Rights Watch 8/10/20