Procedure - Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

University Acquisition of UAS

The UAS Committee will instruct individuals to work with Information Technology (IT) when seeking to acquire a UAS.

To streamline the purchasing of UASs for faculty or departments that frequently work with them, the UAS committee may issue blanket approvals for acquisition of university owned UASs. The UAS Committee can place limitations within these approvals, for instance size or type UASs.

Registering UAS

On behalf of the UAS Committee, the UAS Committee Chair will:

• Centrally handle the registering of UAS with the FAA or other regulatory authorities; and
• Centrally register internally all micro-UAS (below the FAA minimum 0.55 lbs)

To streamline the registering and inventorying of UASs, the UAS Committee may allow faculty or departments to maintain their own inventories so long as those inventories are current and readily available if requested by the UAS Committee.  

When a UAS is registered with the UAS Committee, the registering party will be informed of their obligations under UNI Policies 8.01 and 9.54.

Registering FAA-Certified University Faculty/Staff

On behalf of the UAS Committee, the UAS Committee Chair will:

• Maintain a file of all current Remote Pilot License/Endorsements
• Maintain a file of all Registration renewals

Rules for University Owned UAS

• All university-owned UAS must be labeled prominently with the department’s contact information and the FAA registration number per FAA rules. The department’s name and address, as well as the aircraft’s registration number, must be clearly legible and readily accessible on the aircraft. Acceptable forms of marking include permanent marker, permanent labels and engravings.

Approving UAS Use On Campus

• For non-university use, to seek approval, the operator should submit an Unmanned Air System Flight Request Form to the UAS Committee at least 14 days prior to the anticipated flight date (Online Form). The form should include the following information:
  • The proposed flight date(s), time(s) and location(s).
  • The purpose(s) of the flight(s).
  • A description of the UAS.
  • Proof of operator’s qualifications and a copy of the pilot’s FAA Remote Pilot Certificate or Rating, if applicable.
  • Proof of any FAA Part 107 waivers needed for the proposed flight(s), if applicable.
  • Contact information.
  • Description of any video, images, footage or other data, which the operator proposes to collect.
• The UAS Committee will obtain feedback from potentially impacted departments prior to approving an anticipated flight, e.g. the Department of Residence will be contacted prior to approving a flight in or over Panther Village Courtyard.
• The pilot or remote operator shall check in and out with DPS prior to and after completing their use of a UAS on campus. This can be done in person or over the phone.
• Whenever a UAS governed by this policy is in operation domestically, the pilot or remote operator shall be in physical possession of a valid waiver for such operation, issued by FAA. The pilot or remote operator shall display the waiver upon request from law enforcement or other cognizant authorities.
• Whenever the use of a UAS is subject to pre-approval through the UAS Committee, the pilot or remote operator shall be in physical possession of a valid permit for such operation, issued by the UAS Committee. The pilot or remote operator shall display the permit upon request from law enforcement or other cognizant authorities.
• All UAS operators proposing operations for non-university use on university property shall provide liability insurance and indemnity coverage in the type and amount prescribed by the Director of Risk Management.
• The remote pilot in command (PIC) and any support crew are required to wear Class II safety vests while operating on campus.
• On campus preferred flight times are during regularly scheduled class times to avoid large numbers of students.
• Every on-campus flight must be logged in a shared Spreadsheet maintained by the UAS Committee.
• The UAS Committee can grant annual/blanket permits for certain areas on campus to FAA-certified University employees who are registered with the UAS Committee.

Enforcement

Enforcement of this policy will be consistent with existing university policies and procedures.