Drone Waivers for D.C. IndyCar Race Near Capitol and FBI Raise Security Concerns

Aviation policy and regulation attorney Katie Inman was quoted in a Small Wars Journal article examining the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) decision to allow drone flights during the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the National Mall. The article explored security concerns surrounding the use of drones in one of the nation's most tightly restricted airspaces; government officials, industry representatives and security experts weighed the challenges of balancing public safety with advancing drone technology. Ms. Inman, who previously worked on drone regulation at the FAA, expressed confidence in the agency's review process, noting federal regulators are willing to approve innovative drone operations when applicants can demonstrate credible safety measures, appropriate risk mitigation and sufficient regulatory compliance.

"If you've got a credible application and a good case with good risk mitigations or very strict limitations on your proposed operation, you've been vetted appropriately, they're not going to be unreasonable," she said.

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