Skip to Main Content

Technology Buying Guide 2025: Drones

Introduction

The best drone of 2024 can record stunning 4K aerial video, fold up in a backpack for ultimate portability, and yet remain easy for beginning to master. Drones are an example of narrow AI.

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

Executive Orders

President Trump Signs Executive Orders on Drones, Flying Cars, and Supersonics
Whitehouse.gov 6/11/25
Unleashing American Drone Dominance
Whitehouse.gov 6/6/25

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 2024 : DJI Mini Pro 4 is the best drone for most people
TechRadar, last visited 11/4/24
The Best Drones for 2024
PCMag, last visited 11/26/24

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
Drones to become first responders to 911 calls in certain parts of Hamilton County
Cincinnnati.com 1/15/25
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
JobsOhio inks $310 million grant deal for defense contractor Anduril to make drones
Statehouse News Bureau, 7/9/25

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
Shoplifters could soon be chased down by drones from FlockSafety
MIT Technology Review 9/25/25
Stopping Killer Robots Country Positions on Banning Fully Autonomous Weapons and Retaining Human Control
Human Rights Watch 8/10/20