Introduction and Overview of the Book

This book centres on International Air Law, which is a series of rules that govern the use of airspace at international and domestic levels. The rules encompass the relationship between States, service providers, cargo and passengers. They also oversee the impact of aviation on the environment and individuals, its benefits to the public and nations across the globe. Given the vastness of the subject, focus is made on the law of unmanned aircraft systems in the US, South Africa and Kenya. There is also discussion on the international legal regime with a focus on domestic legislation in the three jurisdictions. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is defined herein as aircraft and their associated elements, which are operated without pilots on-board. UAS also refers to a category of remotely-piloted aircraft used for non-recreational purposes and intended for commercial, military, governmental, or scientific purposes. The UAS either fly autonomously or are remotely controlled. This chapter provides a general background to the topic, rational for regulation and expansion of UAS, and applied regulatory approaches.