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Policy for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operation on Bradley University Property

UAS Operation Request Form

The university allows the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, on campus, if the following conditions are met:

1. Drone Registration: All UAS weighing greater than 0.55 pounds must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prior to operation. Information available at: https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/

2. FAA Notification: The FAA must be notified at least two hours prior to each flight. All of Bradley’s campus and off-campus facilities, with the exception of the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex, are within 5 nautical miles of the Peoria International Airport, which is Class C federally restricted airspace from the surface to 4,700 feet above ground level. It is recommended that drone operators register with and use the AIRMAP mobile app to request permission to operate.

3. University Permission:

  1. Third-party commercial use: Non-university employees wishing to operate a drone on campus must possess FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification, complete an agreement with the Office of General Counsel at least 10 business days prior to the planned flight, and abide by the terms of the agreement.
  2. 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. Students are required to submit a UAS Operation Request Form including date, time, duration, operational area and maximum planned altitude of the operation, to the University Police Department at least 2 business days prior to the planned operation.
  3. Faculty and staff use:
    1. Faculty and staff use of drones on campus as part of an educational experience are considered to be hobbyists, and are not required to have FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification. Students are required to submit a UAS Operation Request Form including date, time, duration, operational area and maximum planned altitude of the operation, to the University Police Department at least 2 business days prior to the planned operation.
    2. All other faculty and staff use of drones on campus are considered to be commercial use, and the operator must possess FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification. Faculty and staff are required to submit a UAS Operation Request Form including date, time, duration, operational area and maximum planned altitude of the operation, to the University Police Department at least 2 business days prior to the planned operation. Faculty and staff may supervise student educational use of a drone, provided that the student maintains operational control, without possessing FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification.
  4. First responder use: This Policy does not apply to UAS operations by the University Police Department or other first responder operations conducted in accordance with applicable law.
  5. Non-university affiliated public use: Public use of drones by operators not affiliated with the university, except for commercial use as outlined above, is prohibited.
  6. All drone operators are fully responsible for any and all damage to person 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.

4. Compliance with FAA rules on UAS operations: UAS operators must follow all the above notification and permission requirements, and abide by the FAA rules regulating UAS operation along with any relevant state laws, including but not limited to:

  1. Maximum altitude and speed.
  2. Having an observer present to maintain visual contact with the UAS at all times.
  3. Daytime and civil twilight operation only. Civil twilight is defined as approximately 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.
  4. Procurement of any required written FAA waivers for operation outside of the FAA rules. This includes, but is not limited to, nighttime drone operations.
  5. Reporting personal injury or property damage in accordance with FAA requirements.
  6. Any regulations regarding landowners’ rights, operational safety and privacy rights.

5. Compliance with university rules on UAS operations:

  1. Reasonable Expectation of Privacy: Operator shall not fly and/or record within any area in which Bradley University students have an expectation of privacy, including but not limited to within 100 feet of any residence halls, without prior written permission from the University. A campus map showing the location of residence halls is available at https://www.bradley.edu/offices/communications/pr/for-media/campus-maps/ or upon request.
  2. Scheduled and approved 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.
  3. Operation near people: Drones may not be operated within close proximity to people not involved in the drone operations.
  4. d. Operation under an FAA Waiver: If operating under an FAA Waiver to engage in certain activities, e.g., flying at night, the operator must be in possession of a written copy of that waiver. The FAA recommends applying for a waiver at least 90 days prior to the planned date of operation.

6. Enforcement and Penalties for noncompliance:

  1. Operators may be stopped, questioned and required to show proof of approval and that they are operating within the approved submitted plan (altitude, area, time, etc.) at any time.
  2. Operators operating outside the approved plan may be stopped from operating and, if necessary, have their equipment confiscated.
  3. Operators must acknowledge that they have read, understood and agreed to abide by University policy.
  4. Operators will notify University Police immediately if they or their equipment causes any damage or harm to any person or property. Operators also assume responsibility for any said damage.
  5. Failure to register and operate a UAS in accordance with FAA rules may result in regulatory and criminal sanctions.
  6. Failure to follow this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment and/or disciplinary sanctions as outlined in the Student Handbook.