With drone shoot downs making the news recently, it only seems fitting that our first PPS Podcast, “Lone Ranger vs. the Rogue Drone” will debut this month featuring AOPA panel attorney Rachel McConoughey. Ms. McConoughey is licensed to practice law in South Carolina and chairs the South Carolina Bar Association’s Drone Task Force.
The podcast will be moderated by AOPA Legal Services Plan staff attorney Chad Mayer and co-hosted by AOPA’s Senior Director of UAS Programs Kat Swain. They’ll start off with a recap of some recent UAS regulatory updates, including the new requirement that went into effect on February 23rd to display the FAA registration number on the outside of a drone.
Then Ms. McConoughey will guide us through her recent article from SC Lawyer Magazine which explores possible legal issues in a hypothetical drone shoot down from the perspective of both the drone operator and landowner who pulled the trigger.
The podcast will be available in mid-April through iTunes, at which time we’ll send out an email invitation for you to tune in.
Chad Mayer – Staff Attorney, AOPA
Mr. Mayer is licensed to practice law in Florida and the District of Columbia and is also an instrument-rated commercial pilot, a Remote Pilot with sUAS rating, and an Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor, who will be serving as PPS Podcast moderator.
Rachel McConoughey – South Carolina Panel Attorney, AOPA
Rachel McConoughey is a Panel Attorney for AOPA’s Legal Services Plan who is licensed to practice law in both North and South Carolina. Her law firm focuses on drone law and real estate litigation. She is also the chair of the South Carolina Bar Association’s Drone Task Force.
Kathleen “Kat” Swain – Senior Director, UAS Programs, AOPA
Ms. Swain is a commercial pilot, a Remote Pilot with sUAS rating, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) and Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI). Prior to joining AOPA in 2016, Ms. Swain was the Vice-President for a technology startup providing commercial drone services.
Visit us at Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland, Florida (April 2nd – 7th)
If you’re planning to attend Sun ‘n Fun, don’t miss the opportunity to meet face-to-face with some of our Legal Services Plan attorneys, Medical Certification professionals, and technical experts from AOPA’s Pilot Information Center. They will be located at the Pilot Protection Services kiosk in the AOPA Main Tent daily between 9am – 5pm.
Fly safely!
