The Department of Defense (DOD) wishes to dedicate a large block of airspace over North Dakota to the exclusive use of military unmanned aircraft…

The Department of Defense (DOD) wishes to dedicate a large block of airspace over North Dakota to the exclusive use of military unmanned aircraft systems.

• Can the DOD simply declare that airspace off limits to civil aircraft?
• If not, how must the DOD proceed if it wishes to accomplish that objective?
• Will interested persons and organizations, such as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, have an opportunity to express their opinions about the proposed change?
• If so, what law requires that opportunity and how can those interested persons and organizations take advantage of that opportunity?
• If the State of North Dakota does not want unmanned aircraft flying over the state, can it enact and enforce a law prohibiting those overflights flights? Explain.