Drone Policies and SOPs
Policies
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Accidents, Incidents and Events of Interest (last edited: 5/15/24)
- Decommissioning a Drone (last edited: 11/30/21)
- Flight Operations Manual (last edited: 4/11/24)
- Insurance Requirements (last edited: 4/11/24)
- Indoor Operations (last edited: 11/30/21)
- LAANC Requests (last edited: 4/11/24)
- Registering a Drone with the FAA (last edited: 7/24/24)
- Penn State Personnel Submitting a Request to Fly (last edited: 4/11/24)
- Post Approval Monitoring (last edited: 4/11/24)
- Post Approval Monitoring Checklist (last edited: 12/6/23)
- 3rd Parties (non-Penn State) Submitting a Request to Fly (last edited: 4/11/24)
- SY45 Alleged Non-compliance (last edited: 5/15/24)
- Training and Qualification Requirements (last edited: 11/30/21)
- Use of Drones for a Class (last edited: 4/11/24)
Federal and State Regulations and Guidance
Federal
- Find Altitude Restrictions near airport facilities and other areas using Visualize It. Instructions: Type the address or GPS coordinates in the top left corner. Click on the grid if one is available for additional details. At a glance, the grid will provide a number, which indicates the amount in feet that is permitted Above Ground Level (AGL). Related blog article on Penn State campus locations that are in or near controlled airspace.
- Summary of Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule (Part 107) FAA News. NOTE: All operations must follow the operational limitations as described in this document unless you have a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization.
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107
- Hobby or recreational use
- Operators of small unmanned aircraft (also referred to as drones) for recreational purposes must follow the rules in 14 CFR part 107 for FAA certification and operating authority unless they follow the conditions of the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft (section 44809). Personnel Flying under FAA Section 44809 (Hobby/Recreation) must “Operate in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization,” i.e., the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). Other requirements include Calling Airport Air Traffic Control Tower when operating within 5 Miles of an Airport (UPark), UA flown within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS), flown strictly for recreation, etc.
- Advisory Circular for Model Aircraft Operating Standards
- AMA Safety Guidelines
- Voluntary Best Practices for UAS Privacy, Transparency, and Accountability
State
- Pennsylvania State Laws around UA