Chapter 6 Flight Planning Procedures

The following section outlines the Flight Planning Procedures for UAS activity operating under 1) Grant of Exemption pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, 2) any Public Agency Operation when operating a Public Aircraft, 3) any other operations conducted under a COA including an Airspace Authorization, Airspace Waiver or Operational Waiver, or 4) any operation categorized as a moderate and above Risk Level. The procedures below do not apply to UAS activity in uncontrolled airspace scored as minor or low Risk Level.

6.1 General

  • A Normal UAS activity is any flight that is not conducted for training or maintenance purposes.
  • All UAS activity are limited to speeds at or below the amount specified in the applicable Grant of Exemption, COA,Operational Waiver, regulations as specified within 14 CFR 107, or as described within the Manufacturer’s Manual.
  • All UAS activity are limited to altitudes at or below the amount specified in the applicable Grant of Exemption, COA,Operational Waiver, regulations as specified within 14 CFR 107, or as described within the Manufacturer’s Manual.
  • The RPIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough power for the unmanned aircraft to conduct the intended operation and to operate with sufficient reserve power as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Per Policy, all UAS activity requires prior approval granted via the submission of a UAS Activity Request Form.
  • It is the responsibility of the RPIC to evaluate each UAS activity in detail prior to operation.
  • The Systemwide Designated UAS Authority or Designated Local Authority will evaluate a UAS Activity Request Form for regulatory compliance, identify campus coordination requirements or other requirements necessary to enable UAS activity.

6.2 Flight Request

Per Policy, all UAS activity requires prior approval granted via the submission of a UAS Activity Request Form. A UAS Activity Request Form must contain all pertinent information to evaluate compliance with Policy. Upon submission of a UAS Activity Request Form, a flight request may be scored with a Risk Level by the Systemwide Designated UAS Authority or Designated Local Authority.

For UAS activity with a Risk Level of moderate and above, additional documentation and analysis is necessary. A satisfactory UAS Activity Request Form must contain the following information:

  • Date and times of flights
  • Purpose of the flights
  • Name(s) and certificate number(s) of the RPIC(s).
  • Registration of the unmanned aircraft to be flown
  • Name of the Point of Contact or Project Manager
  • Expected field time
  • GPS coordinates of the flight area
  • Planned flight trajectories (as appropriate)
  • Max flight distance (away from the RPIC)
  • Max flight altitude
  • Project specific conditions (Flight over people, near buildings, at night, etc)
  • A Site Assessment or description of hazards and hazard mitigation plan
  • A copy of a Field Safety Plan (if off-campus), including documentation on contact information for local first responders.

All documentation, including the UAS Activity Request Form must be accessible either electronically or with a hard-copy by the RPIC during UAS activity.