UAS activity continues to grow for recreational and non-recreational uses. Recreational uses are most often by hobbyists for photography, racing, and sport. Non-recreational uses include law enforcement, emergency response, media coverage, delivery services, surveying, and utility inspection. Many airport operators see the potential benefits of using UAS for inspections, wildlife hazard management, security management, and emergency response to increase efficiency and reduce cost. The rapid increase in UAS activity, coupled with the many stakeholders employing the technology, and the evolving regulatory landscape have also resulted in airports facing new challenges as they strive to provide users, tenants, and customers with a safe, secure, predictable operating environment.

Airports need guidance, tools, and other resources to effectively address UAS issues and integrate UAS into their day-to-day operations and planning. This study is being conducted through the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) and the Transportation Research Board. Research for this study is being led by Booz Allen Hamilton, Kimley-Horn and many others in the aviation community.