Dr. Sarah Nilsson has both an aviation and a legal background. She began her career as a pilot in 1994 and is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed airline transport pilot in multi and single engine fixed-wing airplanes. Since 2000 she has been a gold seal flight instructor, and has trained hundreds of pilots. She also has flown air cargo, and private business jets, and holds a type-rating in the CE-500 series. 

Currently, Sarah is founder and managing attorney of Nilsson Law, PLLC, as well as being a certified mediator. Since January 2015, Sarah has served as full-time faculty at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Prescott, Arizona, teaching Aviation Law, Global UAS Regulations (a course she designed to fulfill a need within the UAS degree program), Unmanned Aircraft Ground School, Business Law, and Business Ethics. She also teaches Global UAS Risk Management (another course she designed) for ERAU’s Worldwide Campus. Sarah volunteers with the FAA as a FAASTeam Safety Representative. 

In addition to her own research on Drone Law and Space Law and Policy, she is co-author of the 6^th edition of Practical Aviation and Aerospace Law co-authored with Scott Hamilton, a national aviation law textbook. She has recently completed a scholarly book on U.S. Drone Law for the American Bar Association entitled Drones Across America released in February 2017. She has made multiple media appearances as an expert in UAS regulation, law, and implications for the public.

Dr. Nilsson holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Northcentral University, conferred in 2011. In 2014, she also graduated with honors with a Juris Doctorate from Arizona Summit Law School. In 2014, Sarah became a licensed attorney in the State of Arizona. She previously graduated with honors summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and minors in Aviation Business Administration and Aviation Safety. In 2006, Sarah also obtained a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle with concentrations in Aviation Safety, Aerospace Operations, and Human Factors.