A comparative analysis of UAS governance in Ecuador and the United States

This study examines structural and technological differences between the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) regulatory frameworks of the United States (U.S.) and Ecuador, with the aim of identifying considerations for airspace governance development in Ecuador. A mixed-methods comparative approach is used, positioning the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration system as a digitally integrated reference case and Ecuador’s General Directorate of Civil Aviation framework as a predominantly manual system. Quantitative U.S. aviation safety data are integrated with a qualitative analysis of Ecuador’s Directorate of Civil Aviation technical regulations (RDAC 101), along with publicly reported UAS-related incidents in Ecuador. This combined approach addresses limitations stemming from the absence of standardized, publicly available incident datasets in Ecuador. The analysis identifies differences in the availability and structure of digital tools supporting UAS operations, including systems such as LAANC, Remote ID, and the TRUST recreational knowledge test in the U.S., compared to more paper-based and administratively driven processes in Ecuador. In the Ecuadorian context, documented incidents are primarily available through secondary sources such as media reporting. The study compares these two national regulatory environments to highlight differences in data accessibility, operator requirements, and system integration. It contributes a structured comparison of two differing governance models and situates Ecuador’s current framework within broader discussions on digitalization and unmanned airspace management.