Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

I. Policy Statement and Purpose

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) offer great potential as tools for research and teaching. This Policy establishes a framework for identifying, managing, and mitigating risk when using UAS on or above UNC Charlotte Premises, in accordance with all state and federal laws and regulations, and in furtherance of UNC Charlotte’s institutional goals and objectives.

II. Definitions

When used in this Policy, the following definitions apply:

1. “Departments” and “Units” include UNC Charlotte colleges, divisions, departments, units, programs, centers and institutes, as well as their designated University employees.
2. “Indoor” means inside an enclosed space that can be reasonably expected to prevent an Unmanned Aircraft from exiting the space while in flight.
3. “Major Events” are those events as defined in University Policy 601.6, Use of University Space.
4. “University Activity” means any activity or use by a UNC Charlotte Department or Unit, or by a third party operating a UAS for University business purposes under the direction and control of a University Department or Unit, for the purpose of education, instruction, photography, research, promotion, publicity, or other business purposes, including indoor and outdoor activity.
5. “University Premises” means buildings or grounds owned, leased, operated, controlled, or managed by UNC Charlotte.
6. “Unmanned Aircraft” means a device used or intended to be used for flight in the air that has no onboard pilot. Unmanned aircraft do not include balloons, rockets, unpowered gliders, or model aircraft, consistent with N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 63, Article 10, Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
7. “Unmanned Aircraft System” (“UAS”) means an Unmanned Aircraft and associated elements including, but not limited to, communication links and components that control the unmanned aircraft and are required for the pilot in command to operate safely and efficiently. These are commonly referred to as “drones.”

III. Applicability

This Policy applies to

1. All University Activities involving the use and operation of UAS;
2. Any individual(s) or group(s) operating a UAS for hobby or recreational purposes on or above University Premises.

IV. Procedures

A. General Requirements

All operators of UAS on University Premises, whether for a University Activity or for hobby or recreational use, must comply with all applicable federal and state statutes and regulations established by the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Division of Aviation.

B. University UAS Activities

1. As soon as practicable, but at least 2 business days in advance of any University UAS Activity, all individuals must complete and submit to the Office of Risk Management and Insurance (RMI), an online University Activities: UAS/Drone Flight Request Form. At a minimum, the following information is required:

• Proof of any required license;
• Proof of any required permit or authorization;
• Detailed flight plan, including proposed date(s) and location(s) of the UAS flight(s);
• Brief description of the purpose of the flight(s);
• List of individuals involved in the operation of the flight(s);
• Attestation that the Department or Unit will follow applicable University policies and federal and state statutes and regulations;
• Proof of insurance showing a minimum of $1M in applicable liability insurance and naming UNC Charlotte as an additional insured (Departments and Units must procure insurance through RMI for any University owned UAS); and
• Any additional information as requested by the Office of Risk Management and Insurance.

2. The completion of the University Activities: UAS/Drone Flight Request Form may authorize single flights or multiple flights that are part of the same scope of work or project.
3. Individuals must submit a new University Activities: UAS/Drone Flight Request Form if there are any substantial changes to proposed University Activities (e.g., change, location, date(s), or activities conducted).
4. The Director of RMI may require a safety risk assessment to be completed prior to approving any University UAS Activities.
5. In addition to a safety risk assessment, the Director of RMI may require modifications to be made to the UAS flight plan.
6. The operator of the UAS must report all UAS incidents (i.e. accidents, damage to University Premises, injuries, complaints) to the Department Head, Unit Director, or Dean of the applicable college; Police and Public Safety; and the Director of RMI immediately, but in any event no later than, twenty-four (24) hours after an incident has occurred.
7. If an individual or Department or Unit seeks to operate a UAS indoors, approval of such operation must be granted in advance by the building manager for the requested space, in consultation with the Director of RMI and the Director of Environmental Health and Safety.
8. If an individual or Department or Unit seeks to operate a UAS for a University Activity in airspace over land or property that is not owned or controlled by UNC Charlotte, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University and the landowner/property owner must be negotiated and signed by an authorized University official prior to UAS use over such land. The Department or Unit sponsoring the University Activity is responsible for consulting with the Office of Legal Affairs to negotiate and establish an MOU.
9. Any data recorded during the operation of a UAS for University Activity must be maintained in accordance with University Policy 605.3, Retention, Disposition, and Security of University Records.
10. The Director of RMI reserves the right to withdraw authorization for any University UAS Activity without notice, for any reason.
11. Written requests for exceptions to these requirements may be submitted to the Office of Risk Management and Insurance.

C. Hobby or Recreational Uses

1. Persons who wish to operate UAS on University Premises for hobby or recreational purposes must complete the RMI’s online Hobby and Recreational Use: UAS/Drone Flight Information Form at least 24 hours before the proposed date of the use. At a minimum the following information is required:
   1. the name of the UAS operator,
   2. the type of UAS to be flown,
   3. the dates, times, and locations where the UAS will be operated,
   4. the names of all individuals who will be participating in the activity, and
   5. certification that the operator will comply with all applicable University policies as well as any applicable state or federal laws, regulations, or rules.
2. A campus map is available online showing recommended areas for hobby or recreational uses if UAS at UNC Charlotte.
3. Hobby or recreational users who wish to record campus events or performances, must obtain additional advance written approval from the event or performance organizer, who will work in conjunction with University Communications.
4. The Director of RMI has the authority to require any UAS users to cease any hobby or recreational UAS operations on University Premises without notice, for any reason.

D. Prohibited Uses

The following uses of UAS are prohibited on University Premises, unless an exception is granted by an authorized University official:

1. For a business, commercial, or other enterprise that is not related to a University business purpose.
2. In, near, or above Jerry Richardson Stadium on the day of a football game, commencement, or any other Major Event.
3. In, near, or above University residence halls at any time.
4. To monitor or record sensitive institutional or personal areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, including, but not limited to, personal workspaces, restrooms, locker rooms, and health treatment rooms.
5. To monitor or record areas of University Premises where programs involving the participation of minors are taking place, unless expressly approved by the Office of Risk Management and Insurance.
6. When the University is in Operating Condition C1, C2, or C3. (See University Policy 701, Adverse Weather and Emergency Events.)

Exceptions to these prohibited uses must be requested in writing and may be granted by Office of Risk Management and Insurance, after consultation with appropriate University officials.

E. Standards

All UAS operators must comply with all laws and regulations promulgated by the NCDOT and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including but not limited to the following restrictions, which are subject to change as promulgated by state or federal law or regulation:

1. No flying over people (Note: this severely limits UAS flights on University Premises).
2. No flying more than 400 feet above ground or 400 feet above a structure, so long as the UAS remains within 400 feet of the structure.
3. No flying outside daytime hours, defined as 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset.
4. No flying in an unsafe manner.
5. No flying beyond the operator’s ability to see the UAS.
6. No flying while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
7. No flying in a manner that interferes with air traffic.
8. No flying close to another aircraft so as to create a collision hazard.
9. No photography or videography of spaces where an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

F. Compliance and Violations

1. All members of the UNC Charlotte community share the responsibility of compliance with all aspects of this Policy. Violations of this Policy can be reported to UNC Charlotte Police or the Office of Risk Management and Insurance.
2. Failure to comply with this Policy may result in the following consequences:
   1. Any person who operates a UAS on or above University Premises in violation of this Policy may be required to cease operation immediately.
   2. Any violation of this Policy may subject a University student or employee to appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the applicable disciplinary policy.
   3. Any violation of this Policy by individuals who are not UNC Charlotte students or employees may result in the individual being prohibited from future flights and/or the individual being trespassed from University Premises.
   4. Any person who fails to comply with applicable FAA regulations and/or state laws and regulations may face significant fines and personal liability enforced by the federal and/or state governments.

Related Resources

• Risk Management & Insurance (RMI)
• Hobby and Recreational Use: UAV/Drone Flight Information Form
• University Activities: UAV/Drone Flight Request Form
• Campus Maps
• UAS Approved Locations Map
• University Policy 601.6, Scheduling University Facilities
• Federal Aviation Administration
• North Carolina Division of Aviation
• N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 63, Article 10, Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 15A, Article 16B, Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• University Policy 701, Adverse Weather and Emergency Events

Authority

Chancellor

Policy Revisions