Unmanned Aircraft Systems 8.03

Effective Date:  12/11/2015

Subject:  Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Category:  Campus Access 8.03

1. Definition

An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within the aircraft or from on the aircraft and its associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the remote operator in command to operate safely and efficiently in navigable airspace.

2. Purpose

Unmanned Aircraft Systems, popularly known as drones, have the significant potential to transform the operations of higher education.  A UAS can aid in improving marketing, research, and development efforts, inspecting infrastructure, and teaching students in the fields of agriculture, technology, animal health, entomology, engineering, media and communication, architecture, aviation, and biochemistry, among other areas.  Inherent risks in the operation of such equipment require policy considerations to reduce threats to safety, security, and privacy.  By creation of this Policy, the System asserts its intent to monitor its institutions’ airspace from 400 feet above ground level (AGL) to ground level.

3. Policy

The Arkansas State University System will comply with federal requirements, state laws, and any other locally applicable UAS laws or regulations.  The Board permits the use of any UAS to support administrative, research, instructional, and service functions of the System institutions upon proper authorization by the designated UAS coordinator at that location. The System may be eligible for certificates of waiver or authorization (COAs) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that permit System campuses to fly a UAS in the furtherance of a governmental function and where its use would otherwise be prohibited under current law.  Each designated UAS coordinator will prepare a list of authorized operators who shall be trained in these policies and appropriate procedures to insure safe flight operations in furtherance of the System’s goals.

Personal use of a UAS, including but not limited to recreational or hobby flight of model aircraft, by faculty, staff, students, or third parties on Arkansas State University System property is prohibited unless authorized by the designated UAS coordinator at that location.  The following safety guidelines must be observed:  (1) the UAS is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use; (2) the UAS is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization; (3) the UAS is limited to not more than 15 pounds, unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a community-based organization; (4) the UAS is operated in a manner that does not interfere with, and gives way to, any manned aircraft; (5) the operator of the UAS provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower with prior notice of the operation when the UAS is flown within five miles of an airport; (6) the UAS is flown within visual line sight of the operator; and (7) the UAS is not flown over individuals not directly involved in its flight operation.  Flights are prohibited below three thousand (3000) feet AGL and within a three (3) nautical mile radius of the Arkansas State University Centennial Bank Stadium, one hour before, during or one hour after an event.

This policy is to be read in conjunction with institutional policies regarding conduct while on institutional grounds and with the System policy on commercial filming and photography.

Any employee or student found operating a UAS without authorization from the designated UAS coordinator at that location may be found in violation of policy and consequences may include disciplinary action.  Any criminal use of a UAS will be investigated by the proper law enforcement agency.  See Ark. Code Ann. §5-16-101; §5-60-103.  Legal prohibitions regarding trespassing and other legal action may be pursued against third parties that operate a UAS in violation of the law or of this policy.

(Adopted by the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees on December 11, 2015, Resolution 15-52.)