The FAA issued a major announcement on May 4, 2016, regarding the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, for educational institutions.
The full announcement can be found here. In summary, under certain conditions, students of educational institutions may use the rules for model aircraft for coursework or club activities that involve the use of UAS.
This is a major change that will facilitate student-directed UAS flights. Nonetheless, the FAA’s decision is limited and does not permit all types of UAS flights by students:
- The FAA announcement applies the rules for model aircraft only to student clubs and student coursework that is unassociated with research projects or university business.
- UAS flights in pursuit of research projects and university business still require FAA authorization, obtainable through the UC Center of Excellence on Unmanned Aircraft System Safety.
- A faculty member may only provide “limited assistance” in teaching students how to fly UAS (e.g., helping a student regain control of a UAS, assisting a student in landing a UAS).
- In addition to the FAA’s restrictions, students are subject to local campus policies regarding UAS operations.
Example Scenarios
- A student who builds and flies a UAS as a component of a course curriculum on subjects such as science, technology, aviation, television and film production or art is considered a model aircraft operator.
- A student who flies a UAS as part of a final or senior design project is considered a model aircraft operator.
- A student project funded or sponsored by an outside entity is not considered a model aircraft operation.
- A student who builds or flies a UAS as part of a faculty or university research project is not considered model aircraft operator.
- A course where the primary objective is on flying UAS is not considered model aircraft operations.
We recognize that this new federal policy may lead to confusion. We recommend that any and all UAS operations performed by students under this new allowance be monitored and documented to ensure compliance with federal law.
It is also important to note that all UC campuses are within five miles of airports or heliports. We also recommend caution in allowing UAS flights over UC campuses without prior campus approval to ensure compliance with model aircraft operations rules.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Brandon Stark (bstark2@ucmerced.edu), director of the UC Center of Excellence on Unmanned Aircraft System Safety, for additional support and clarification.
