Home > Student Handbook > Section 40: Administrative Policies > 40.18 Drone Operation Policy

40.18.0 Drone Operation Policy

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POLICY STATEMENT

SUNY Canton will comply with current FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulations and best management practices to ensure the safety and privacy of SUNY Canton students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This policy highlights the methods by which SUNY Canton will ensure compliance with FAA Part 107 (published in 2016). Any new governmental regulations will be incorporated into updates of this policy.

POLICY

Drones may be operated on SUNY Canton’s campus within specific areas and under the conditions laid out in this policy. There are two general categories of operation of small drones: Educational Use and Non-Educational/Not-Affiliated with SUNY Canton.

Drone Policy – All Categories of Use

These drone policy prohibitions apply to all categories of use.

  1. Operation of a drone for recreational use is not allowed at SUNY Canton.
  2. Drones are not to be operated inside or outside residence halls (see approved FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) and Safe Fly Zone (SFZ) designated areas).
  3. Drones will not be operated outside in adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, lightning, or reduced visibility of <3 statute miles (SM).
  4. Drone operation under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited.
  5. In no case may drones be used to gather or stream information, images, videos, or other data which would otherwise be protected by applicable campus, municipal, New York State, and/or Federal policies or laws. Penalty for such use could include disciplinary action or prosecution (e.g., capturing images through dormitory windows).
  6. All crashes and injuries related to drone operation must be reported to SUNY Canton University Police.

Educational Use Within FRIA and the SFZ – Outdoor Flights

Individuals under supervision of a Part 107 Certified Operator may operate drones within the SFZ if they do so in a manner consistent with the most recent FAA legal interpretations and are in compliance with the basic rules set forth below.

  1. Drones used for educational purposes within the FRIA & the SFZ do not require a flight permit; however, you need to complete a Drone Flight Form with the date range and time of flight.
  2. Drones will not be flown within 400 feet of power lines.
  3. Flights must be related to a designated course and in conjunction with specific coursework or otherwise part of a faculty/staff members’ duties.
  4. Instructors must have a valid Part 107 Certificate and are responsible for ensuring safety and compliance with FAA regulations.
  5. Drone night operations may be conducted if the drone is equipped with anticollision lights that are visible for 3 SM.

Educational Use Within FRIA but Outside SFZ – Outdoor Flights

In consultation with the New York Power Authority, flights are allowed within the FRIA outside of the SFZs after receiving an approved Flight Permit Application from SUNY Canton’s Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) Office. Additional flight approval is required due to the area’s proximity to the MA1 and MA2 (230 kV and 345 kV capable power lines).

Educational Use – Indoor Flights

Individuals may operate drones indoors only under supervision of a Part 107 Certified Operator if they do so in a manner consistent with the basic rules set forth below.

  1. Drones operated indoors for educational purposes do not need a flight permit.
  2. Drones may be operated indoors in the following educational/recreational buildings: Nevaldine Hall, Dana Hall, Roos House, and Dana Hall gymnasium. Drone flights are not permitted from indoor locations other than designated operational areas without approval from EH&S.
  3. Drones are prohibited from operation within the residence halls.
  4. Pilots should make every reasonable effort to maintain a minimum distance of 10 feet from lights, speakers, and fire safety equipment (e.g. smoke detectors, sprinklers, beam detectors).
  5. Operators must conduct a thorough preflight inspection before flying indoors, ensuring the drone is in proper working order and no risks are posed to individuals or equipment.

Non-Educational/Not Affiliated with SUNY Canton

  1. The operator and/or company must submit a Flight Permit Application to SUNY Canton’s Environmental, Health & Safety Office covering their planned flights.
  2. The operator must possess a valid FAA Part 107 Certificate and be at least 16 years old.
  3. Drone operators must show proof of liability insurance.
  4. Drones may not be flown within 400 feet of power lines.
  5. Flight altitude must not exceed 400 feet above ground level (AGL) and flight speed must not exceed 100 mph.
  6. Drones may not be flown directly over the athletic fields while being used for practice or games.
  7. Drones over 0.55 pounds must be registered with the FAA and equipped with a remote ID.
  8. Visual line-of-sight (VLOS) must be maintained for all flights and use a visual observer to assist if needed.
  9. The operator may not intentionally fly over and must remain at least 25 feet away from people, moving vehicles, and sensitive infrastructure (ex: substation, water tower, rooftop of MacArthur Hall, residential dorms).
  10. Flights of autonomous drones must have a provision for emergency flight termination.
  11. Operators must obey any FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).
  12. Drone night operations may be conducted if the drone is equipped with anticollision lights that are visible for 3 SM.
  13. Operators are responsible for performing preflight inspections.
  14. Operators must wear high-visibility garments (vest, shirt, jacket).

DEFINITIONS

FAA Terminology

Definition

Autonomous Drone

Drones that are programmed and fly without direct control of a pilot.

Certificate of Authorization (COA)

A document issued by the FAA that authorizes a specific drone operation under certain conditions, typically for public operators or operations that are not covered under standard Part 107 rules.

Drone

Otherwise known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV).

Educational Drone Use

Use of drones for purposes that involve learning, training, or research, especially within a structured environment such as a classroom, educational program, or academic institution.

FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA)

It is a designated geographic area for educational or training purposes where drones can operate without the requirement for Remote ID.

Flight Permit Application (FPA)

A formal request submitted by a drone operator to obtain approval from the EH&S Office to conduct drone flights on the campus grounds or specific areas designated for drone use.

Operator

Individual responsible for the control and safe operation of a drone.  The operator may not necessarily be the one physically flying the drone but is responsible for ensuring that the drone is operated in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations.

Part 107 Certificate

A Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA that allows the certificate holder to act as a remote pilot in command (PIC) of a small UAS in operations conducted under Part 107 rules.  This includes commercial, educational, research, and other non-recreational drone uses.

Recreational Drone Use

Flying a drone purely for personal enjoyment or as a hobby, without any educational, commercial, or professional purpose.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)

A regulatory actional issued by the FAA that temporarily restricts air traffic from flying in a specific area for a designated period.

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)

The requirement that the operator must be able to see the drone with their unaided eyes (without the use of binoculars, scopes, or other visual aids) through the flight. This ensures the operator can maintain control of the drone.

OTHER RELATED INFORMATION

Applicable Guidelines and Resources

FAA recommended guidelines for all drone operators - www.knowbeforeyoufly.org

SUNY Canton safety policies and guidance documents - https://www.canton.edu/ehs/forms.html

FAA B4UFLY app for iOS and Android - https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly

FAA Part 107 - https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/part-107-summary

In certain circumstances, drone operations may not meet standard FAA Part 107 requirements. In these cases, operators may be required to submit a waiver request directly to the FAA. For example, operations such as flying over large groups of people or beyond the operator’s visual line-of-sight may require an FAA Request for Waiver.

PROCEDURES

Educational Use
Before educational use of drones outside and/or inside, the Drone Flight Form must be completed. This form may be completed for a range of dates (e.g. full semester dates) but cannot extend greater than six months per form.

Non-Educational/Not Affiliated with SUNY Canton

Before non-educational/not affiliated with SUNY Canton use of drones, the inquiring person must complete the Flight Permit Application, submit a copy of the Part 107 certificate, and show proof of liability insurance.

FORMS

FAA Request for Waiver https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_waivers

Drone Flight Form (use for educational use requests) https://www.canton.edu/drone/

Flight Permit Application (use for non-educational/not affiliated with SUNY Canton use requests) https://www.canton.edu/media/pdf/Drone-Flight-Application-Form.pdf

AUTHORITY

SUNY Canton University Police

SUNY Canton University Police are authorized to order operators to suspend operation that is not consistent with this policy or FAA rules. All crashes and injuries related to drone operation must be reported to SUNY Canton University Police.

SUNY Canton Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S)

SUNY Canton EH&S will maintain this policy, provide guidance to operators, and approve all flight plans and commercial/research use. (Note – all research activities must have prior approval by the relevant Dean and/or Division Head.)

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