The long awaited updated SY45 policy has been approved by President’s Council. A huge thank you is in order to Lt. Matthew White, Dr. Mike Yukish and Ms. Candice Yekel for representing the policy so well at the President’s Council.  The policy is published and can be found on the University’s policy website:

https://policy.psu.edu/policies/sy45

Some Policy Highlights:

All use of UA on University Property and all use of UA on non-University property by the University, its students and employees, or third party contractors or affiliates for University-Affiliated activities must abide by the following requirements:

1. University UA Operations Manual.  All UA operations on University Property or as part of a University-Affiliated activity must be conducted in accordance with the applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as the University’s UA Operations Manual, which addresses issues such as training, pre- and post-flight procedures, flight logs, safety concerns and flight restrictions.
2. Registration. All UA requiring registration with the FAA must also be registered with the University.
3. Insurance. All registered UA must be insured unless the operation is being conducted by individual students as a model aircraft in accordance with 14 C.F.R. Part 101.  Contractor’s evidence of insurance must be provided to and verified by the University’s Risk Management Office.  UA operations by student organizations require insurance; however, student organizations are responsible for providing their own insurance.
4. License. Operators must possess and supply their piloting credentials to the University prior to flight. Students operating under 14 C.F.R. Part 101 are not required to possess a remote pilot license, however, they are required to have completed the University’s UA Compliance Course.
5. Safety. Use of UA shall not create an undue hazard to life or property, and they may not be operated in a way which invades privacy, unduly affects the environment of those working within a building, or those entering, exiting or walking around a facility or University Property. The UA must be under the control of the operator at all times.
6. Permissions. UA Operators of UA operations that are part of a University-Affiliated Activity but not on University Property must receive documented permission from the property owner of the property where the UA operations will occur.  Such permission shall be provided to the UA Operations Manager upon request.
7. Accident Reporting. All accidents that result in injury or that cause property damage (other than to the UA itself) must be reported to the UA Operations Manager within 24 hours.  Accidents that result in serious injury or property damage over $500 must be reported immediately.  Details on reporting criteria and processes can be found at  https://www.research.psu.edu/UasOperations.  In addition, all injuries must be reported as outlined in Policy SY04, Employee Accidents – Reporting and Investigation, and SY05, Injuries to Any Person, And Reporting Incidents Involving Other Than Employees.
8. Public Venues. UA may not be operated above public open-air events, inside University athletic and entertainment venues open to the public, or above thoroughfares without prior approval by the University.
9. Airport. UA, operating as a model aircraft under Part 101, may not be operated within a 5 mile radius of any airport designated by the FAA, without prior notice by the operator of the UA to the airport operator and air traffic control tower.  Site specific information may be found https://www.research.psu.edu/UasOperations.
10. Third Party Operations.  In addition to the aforementioned requirements, if a University unit arranges for a third party to operate a UA on University Property or for a University-Affiliated Activity,
    a. The unit shall contact the Risk Management Office to ensure that the UA owner and operator has adequate liability insurance and takes the risk mitigation arrangements deemed appropriate.
    b. If a third party will be operating under their own FAA waiver or authorization, the third party will provide copy to the UA Operations Manager for prior approval.
    c. The third party shall provide documentation supporting the operator’s certification and medical readiness.

UA Operations Manager: The University shall designate an individual to serve as the UA Operations Manager. The UA Operations Manager shall be responsible for and have authority for approval of all UA Operations conducted at or by the University. The UA Operations Manager shall report to the Associate Vice President for Research, Director, ORP, on matters related to UA operations, and will regularly consult with the Assistant Vice President for Police and Public Safety.

Please reach out to uas-orp@psu.edu with any questions.

~Happy Flying~

The current SY-45 policy is out of date, and will be replace shortly. If you want to fly in the interim, contact the UAS Ops Management team at uas-orp@psu.edu and we will coordinate. In preparation for when the SY-45 update is finally released, the policy when issued will basically be structured as follows:

• All flying on Penn State property will need to be by students or employees, or overseen by employees if it involves non-Penn Staters (e.g., UAS contractors). Those not affiliated with Penn State who are flying without prior coordination will be considered tresspassing.
• All flying by Penn Staters, operating under Penn State auspices, will need to comply with this policy no matter where they are flying.
• Educational or hobby flying will be permitted, with activities governed by Part 101.
• All other flying will be under Part 107 or other Certificate of Authorization (COA). This means the operator will need a Remote Pilot Certificate and proof of medical readiness (unless a specific COA permits otherwise).
• All Penn State UAS will need to be registered with the FAA, and then with the University. Penn State will insure the UAS.
• All accidents that cause personal or property damage to other than the UAS must be reported to the UAS Ops Management team within 24 hours – report immediately if over $500 in damage or serious injury.
• Some sites require waivers to fly at (e.g., University Park, Behrend). We may also acquire waivers for altitude or other operations if requested. The UAS Ops Management team will acquire the waivers, and disseminate them through the https://www.research.psu.edu/UasOperations site. In general, before flying on Penn State property, visit this site for status.
• You will need to notify campus police prior to flying.
• No flying over people, both outdoors and indoors, without prior approval.
• If flying under Part 101 hobby rules, and within 5 miles of an airport with a tower, e.g., University Park, you must call the tower first and notify them.
• The operator of the UAS (not the owner!) is ultimately responsible for compliance, and is the ultimate authority on the UAS operation.
• There will be a Penn State UAS Compliance Course available on-line, that all operators (for hire or hobby) will need to complete prior to flying. This will ensure you know the rules.

UAS flying in the United States is entering a brave new world, and the rules governing them will be a moving target for some time. When in doubt, give the UAS Ops Team a shout and we will work to get you in the air as safely and quickly as possible!