Analysis of unmanned aerial system integration and the impact of rules and regulations on safety of flight within the United States of America’s National Airspace System

This study provides an analysis of how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policies on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) integration have impacted the safety of airspace operations within the National Airspace System (NAS). The study sought to determine if an impact exists and, if so, if the impact was positive or negative. Despite state-level laws governing the usage of UASs at the recreational and commercial level, this study only analyzed the integration of UASs at the federal level. Utilizing the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident database, a mixed methodology study was conducted to analyze three distinct time periods: prior to 2013, 2013-2014, and 2015-present day. Through the collection, organization, and analyses of incidences and accidents involving UASs, a descriptive analysis was conducted to analyze the impact of rules and regulations on UAS integration in the NAS. The findings also provided a metric for understanding how integration of UASs has been impacted by regulations, growth in the industry, and ongoing efforts to educate and train the UAS sector. Lastly, this study presents approximately 30 years of historical data and provides a baseline to assist in future measurement of ongoing integration success or failure.