NOTE TO STUDENTS: Before answering the questions, read the “Background” below.

1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. a) For what reasons has the FAA implemented this new requirement? Be specific.
b) When did the new rules take effect?

3. What rules had the FAA implemented in 2015 regarding drones?

4. a) When did the agency first receive law enforcement concerns over the drone ID numbers?
b) Why did it delay acting on the concerns at that time?
c) Why are they moving quickly now - before waiting for the usual notice and comment period usually given to the public to comment on any rule change?

5. a) How many registered drones and registered drone users are there in the U.S.?
b) How many unregistered drones are there?

6. Describe 3 recent incidents where drones caused disruption or disregarded orders not to fly.

7. From paragraph 8: Congress last year gave the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security new powers to disable or destroy threatening drones after officials raised concerns about the use of drones as potential weapons.

From paragraph 12: In January, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao proposed rules that would allow drones to operate over populated areas to help speed their commercial use.

Consider the potential danger and disruption drones could cause.

Consider the invasion of privacy drones could also cause.

a) Whose rights are more important: the general public, or the individual’s right to fly drones?

b) What type of penalty do you think drone users should be given for disregarding “no-fly” areas?

c) What responsibilities do you think drone operators have when flying a drone outside their own property?