Drones, AI, and Airspace Security: Legal Insights on Executive Orders, FAA BVLOS Rules, and Compliance Risks

Sharmistha Das | Crowell & Moring LLP

Sharmi Das’ experience at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), the White House, the U.S. Senate, and private practice positions her to guide clients through regulatory challenges, government-facing issues, and scrutiny from Congress and other oversight bodies. Sharmi has handled dozens of congressional inquiries and managed a program that developed hundreds of regulatory actions relating to homeland security matters, including technology, cybersecurity, contracts and grants, intelligence, health, and immigration. She participated in hundreds of policy discussions at the White House and DHS on high-profile issues that were often in the headlines, including domestic and international crises and emergencies.

Sharmi brings over a decade of experience analyzing statutory and regulatory text to both challenge and defend agency actions in litigation. She uses her knowledge of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and federal rulemaking process to help clients shape regulatory authorities, comply with them, and challenge them. In both the executive and legislative branches, Sharmi crafted strategies to resolve inquiries from the Hill, other federal oversight bodies, and the public, often under immense public scrutiny.

Matthew F. Ferraro | Crowell & Moring LLP

Matthew F. Ferraro is a partner in Crowell & Moring’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Group, where he helps clients address complex regulatory matters at the intersection of advanced technology, national security, and crisis management. He advises leading organizations on high-impact matters related to artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, cyberattacks, domestic and international privacy compliance, internal investigations, foreign direct investment reviews, and high-stakes crises.

Before joining the firm, Matthew served as the Senior Counselor for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technology to the Secretary of Homeland Security.

As a principal advisor to the Secretary and a member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s leadership team, he served at the heart of U.S. government policymaking around AI and cybersecurity. He assisted in the development and drafting of key AI, cyber, and technology policies and regulations; advised on the deployment of AI to fulfill the department’s missions; and counseled on cyber-incident responses and investigations. Matthew also helped establish and served as the Executive Director of the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board, a flagship public-private advisory committee focused on AI’s use in critical infrastructure and chaired by the Secretary and composed of industry, nonprofit, and government luminaries.

Matthew leverages his prior experience at DHS, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Central Intelligence Agency to assist companies, government contractors, boards of directors, and investors in responding to a range of pressing technological, national security, and cyber challenges.

Kate M. Growley | Crowell & Moring LLP

Businesses around the globe rely on Kate M. Growley to navigate their most challenging digital issues, particularly those involving cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and their intersection with national security. Clients seek guidance on proactive compliance, incident response, internal and government-facing investigations, and policy engagement. With a unique combination of legal, policy, and consulting experience, Kate excels in translating complex technical topics into advice that is practical and informed by risk and business needs.

Kate has extensive experience working with members of the U.S. government contracting community, especially those within the Defense Industrial Base. She has partnered with contractors from every major sector, including technology, manufacturing, health care, and professional services. Kate is an IAPP AI Governance Professional (AIGP) and a Certified Information Privacy Professional for both the U.S. private and government sectors (CIPP/G and CIPP/US). She is also a Registered Practitioner with the U.S. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Cyber Accreditation Body (AB).

Kate is a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office, as well as a senior director in the firm’s consultancy Crowell Global Advisors, to which she was seconded for several years. She is a founding member of the firm’s Privacy & Cybersecurity Group and part of the firm’s AI Steering Committee. She has been internationally recognized by Chambers and named a “Rising Star” by both Law360 and the American Bar Association (ABA). She has held numerous leadership positions in the ABA’s Public Contract Law and Science & Technology Sections and has been inducted as a lifetime fellow in the American Bar Foundation.

Mary-Caitlin Ray | Crowell & Moring LLP

A former attorney for the Federal Aviation Administration, Mary-Caitlin represents aircraft owners, operators, and manufacturers as well as investors into aviation related businesses, advising on regulatory and transactional matters. Her clients come to her for practical and strategic advice on navigating complex aviation challenges. She has significant experience advising clients on the impacts of and solutions for emerging technologies in the aviation sector, including uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Mary-Caitlin’s practice spans the crewed and uncrewed side of the aviation world. She has advised Fortune 500 flight departments, high net worth individuals, and manufacturers and suppliers on regulatory concerns related to the operation and production of aircraft, including complex issues related to permitted compensation, pilot licensing, operating structures such as dry leasing, timesharing and fractional ownership agreements, and emergency and Letter of Investigation response related to quality escapes and incidents. She also represents clients in the acquisition and sale of business aircraft, including cross-border transactions requiring the export or import of aircraft.

Mary-Caitlin counsels drone and eVTOL manufacturers, operators, and owners on all aspects of FAA regulatory compliance, including the business impacts of the evolving global regulatory framework for emerging aviation technologies. She also advises drone manufacturers and operators developing internal aviation-related corporate policies and best practices.

Mary-Caitlin has significant experience advising investors on the regulatory implications of investment into a wide array of aviation-related businesses, including MROs, manufacturers (including eVTOL manufacturers), and businesses that own and/or operate aircraft.

Jennifer D Ambrose | Aviation Aerospace Law PLLC

Jennifer D. Ambrose has been practicing law for twenty years, the last eighteen and a half at the Federal Aviation Administration. As an attorney there, she was the Team Lead for UAS Operations for the Office of the Chief Counsel and worked on rulemakings such as the part 107 Operations over people and night operations final rule, and remote identification. Most recently, she was the manager of the Airworthiness Law branch of the Regulations Division where she oversaw the recent MOSAIC rulemaking effort for light-sport category aircraft and the FAA’s proposed rulemaking for Beyond Visual Line of Sight UAS operations. Her work has particularly focused on emerging technology including UAS, supersonic/hypersonic operations, and advanced air mobility. She is a sought-after speaker for panel discussions and speaking engagements on topics of emerging aviation technology. She holds a law degree from American University Washington College of Law (’05) and a Masters in International Affairs from the School of International Service (’05). She received her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (’00).

I. Executive orders on drones and AI: Key provisions, national security implications, and their impact on industry innovation | 1:00pm – 1:30pm

II. FAA BVLOS rulemaking: Anticipated framework, operational categories, and challenges for commercial operators | 1:30pm – 2:00pm

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

III. Security and TSA considerations: How evolving threats, counter-UAS measures, and airport security intersect with drone operations | 2:10pm – 2:40pm

IV. Cybersecurity and data protection: Managing cyber risks, protecting sensitive data, and ensuring compliance in AI-enabled UAS ecosystems | 2:40pm – 3:10pm