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5.1 FAA and State Requirements

All UAS weighing greater than 0.55 pounds must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prior to operation. Information is available from the .

Drone operators should use FAA compliant applications, such as , to check and request airspace requirements and obtain authorization.

For all UAS flying within an area covered by FAA controlled airspace, FAA airspace authorization must be obtained prior to each flight, as required based on the size of the UAS and the operating altitude. See the statewide UAS operations map which includes WSU property boundaries at .

UAS operators must abide by FAA rules regulating UAS operation along with any applicable state laws, including but not limited to:

• Maximum altitude and speed.
• Having an observer present to maintain visual contact with the UAS at all times.
• Procurement of any required written FAA waivers for operation outside of the FAA Part 107 rules. The FAA recommends applying for a waiver at least 90 days prior to the planned date of operation.
• Strict adherence to current FAA guidelines regarding Operation Over People (OOP), including:
  • ; and
  • Verification that the UAS is certified with the FAA for OOP by using the Filter by “OOP” to see if the UAS is FAA certified for OOP.

Important! All UAS must be listed as OOP certified and Remote ID compliant to operate over people.

• Reporting personal injury or property damage in accordance with FAA requirements ().
• Any federal, state, or local laws or regulations regarding landowners’ rights, operational safety, and privacy rights.

See Section 7.0 for penalties for noncompliance.

5.2 University Requirements

UAS operators must submit a WSU UAS Operation Request to the University police or campus security department that has jurisdiction over the area in which the UAS operation is being requested (see Table 1). The UAS Operation Request must be submitted:

• At least two (2) business days prior to the planned flight; or
• At the same time an FAA authorization request is submitted, whichever is longer.

As part of the University’s UAS Operation Request, all operators are required to acknowledge in writing that they have read, understood, and agree to abide by this policy.

If an FAA authorization request is submitted, the UAS operator must notify the applicable University police or campus security department before the flight to:

• Provide proof that FAA authorization was received; or
• Give notification that the authorization was denied.

5.2.a University Use for Teaching and Research

University faculty and staff use of drones on University property as part of an educational experience or to conduct research is considered part of the recreational use exception. Pilots are therefore not required to have .

Faculty and staff must submit a UAS Operation Request including date, time, duration, operational area and maximum planned altitude of the operation, to the applicable University police or campus security department at least two (2) business days prior to the planned operation. No UAS use may occur until written prior approval is obtained.

5.2.b University Use Unrelated to Teaching or Research

Administrative use of drones on campus as part of university business operations (for example, marketing photography or videography) is considered commercial use. This applies whether the operator is a University employee or is a contracted external entity. Pilots are therefore required to have FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification.

Users are required to submit a UAS Operation Request including date, time, duration, operational area, and maximum planned altitude of the operation, to the applicable University police or campus security department at least two (2) business days prior to the planned operation. No UAS use may occur until written prior approval is obtained.

5.2.c Student Use

Students operating drones on campus for educational or recreational use are considered to be hobbyists and are not required to have FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification, as long as such use complies with . Students are required to submit a UAS Operation Request including date, time, duration, operational area, and maximum planned altitude of the operation, to the applicable University police or campus security department at least two (2) business days prior to the planned operation. No UAS use may occur until written prior approval is obtained, and such use must follow the requirements in Section 5.1.

Student UAS operators must have at least $1 million per occurrence in liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage. A certificate of insurance naming WSU as additional insured must be submitted to university police or campus security before operating a drone on any WSU campus.

5.2.d Use by Third Parties Not Affiliated with WSU

Persons who are not employed by WSU and not a current WSU student wishing to operate a drone on or above a WSU location or campus must submit a completed UAS Operation Request and Assumption of Risk, Release, and Indemnification Form and include the following information at least two (2) business days prior to the proposed flight:

• Copy of the pilot’s ; and
• Certificate of insurance naming WSU as an additional insured and evidencing at least $2 million per occurrence in liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage.

No UAS use may occur until written prior approval is obtained. All drone operators are fully responsible for any and all damage to persons or property caused by the drone usage and/or any fines or violations incurred.

By granting permission to operate the drone, the University assumes no liability for the operations of the drone and any liability remains with the operator. By operating a drone, the operator agrees to indemnify the University for any liability, loss, or damage arising out of the drone use.

5.2.f Additional University Requirements

UAS operators are not permitted to fly or record within any area in which WSU students, faculty, or staff may have a reasonable expectation of privacy, including but not limited to within 100 feet of any residence halls or other campus housing, without prior written permission from the University. Note: A Pullman campus map showing the location of residence halls is available at .

Scheduled and approved University activities take priority over recreational drone activities. If a drone activity is part of an academic experience, it is recommended that the requestor reserve the space in advance with the applicable campus event services office.

5.2.g Exceptions

The WSU Pullman Chief of Police or designee may grant exceptions to any component of this (Section 5.0) when warranted by exceptional circumstances unless the requirement is imposed by law. Exceptions must be obtained in advance and documented in writing on the UAS Request Form.

Any request to waive insurance requirements also must be approved by Risk Management, which reviews the proposed activity to determine whether it poses minimal risk to property or persons.