The Federal Aviation Administration’s Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule, called Part 107, broadly authorized simple, visual line-of-sight operations with drones that weigh less than 55 pounds. Part 107 was considered by most to be a strong first step toward integrating drones into the national airspace.

But that is all it was — the first in a series of what were supposed be incremental regulations to foster this growing industry and enable safe operations.

Originally published in Law360 on May 25, 2017.