Legal Aspects in Photogrammetric Curricula: Navigating Property Rights and Airspace Boundaries

The importance of integrating legal aspects into UAS mapping courses and related curricula is presented in terms of providing a framework for the integration of legal aspects in an introductory photogrammetric course. Curricula focus is placed on two interrelated issues: first, the extent to which property owners maintain a reasonable expectation of privacy from UAS intrusion within the “immediate reaches” of their airspace; and second, the potential for UAS-mounted sensors to inadvertently capture imagery or point cloud of neighboring properties while operating in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. The discussion concludes by identifying strategies to mitigate these legal and operational challenges, giving students the knowledge and tools to address similar situations in real-life scenarios, and ensuring that aerial surveying practices respect both regulatory compliance and property rights and special care taken for flights conducted on behalf of law enforcement agencies.