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MANAGEMENT
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MANAGEMENT
Integrated Risk Management

CSUSM Protocol for Drone Flight Approval

Each flight request is required to be reviewed and approved by Integrated Risk Management and University Police.
Requesting party action items:
  • Gather and prepare the following items before submitting the registration form: Flight plan and map, UAS equipment and owner informaiton, drone registration, flight plan purpose, data types collected and goals, names of all remote pilots and their drone license or TRUST Certificate. Ensure that all documents are complete and ready for submission to avoid delays in processing
  • Review: CSUSM User Guide: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)
  • Complete and submit the Unmanned Aircraft Request Form
Once Flight Plan is submitted and if no further information is required, IRM will forward the reviewed request to UPD for final review and approval. Please allow 5-7 business days to process your request; IRM will contact you directly via email, once your Flight Request is approved. Third-party vendors shall work in conjunction with Procurement to furnish the correct insurance requirements to operate a drone on campus. Depending on factors such as location, timing, purpose, campus traffic, etc., a notice may be provided to the campus community through the Tue/Thu staff announcements or other means. For more information regarding drones, please visit the Federal Aviation Administration: https://www.faa.gov/uas

 

Purchasing Restrictions | DJI Drones Use: Memo released by CSU Systemwide Risk Management related to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2024 that bans the use of certain drones for CSU campuses.

Part 107                            Recreational Exception
  • Drone license required
  • Can fly for any purpose
  • Special permissions: can request special permisions for operations in controlled airspace, over people, Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), and flying more than one drone at a time
  • Any drone requiring registration, must operate in accordance with the rule on Remote ID, Most drones manufactured after December 2022 have Remote ID already built-in
  • TRUST certificate is required for all flyers
  • Can fly for recreation or approved academic activities*
  • Registration exception for drones that weigh .55 pounds or less (less than 250 grams)
  • Restrictions: No allowances for advanced operations. Must adhere to basic flight operation rules
  • May not fly over persons or moving vehicle and no closer than 25ft to an individuals
  • Must stay within visual line of sight
  • Allowable to academic staff, students or academic support staff
*Approved academic activities: coursework, instruction of students, academic or research related uses of unmanned aircraft systems that have been approved by the institution, activites undertaken by the institution as part of the research projects, other academic activities approved by the institution.
Aviation (Drone) Program, Coverage and Exclusions:
  • Liability arising out of ownership, maintenance, or use of any owned, hired, or borrowed drone in compliance with recreational purposes and Part 107 and under 55 lbs. Excludes any use for which anyone under this policy expects to or does receive compensation.
  • Physical damage to the drone hull is NOT covered unless specifically added to the schedule. Please consult with IRM.

IRM is required to provide an updated listing of all campus-owned or operated drones to the campus broker. Please email risk@csusm.edu to register your drone and include the following: make/model, value/cost, size and weight (include detailed specifications), fixed wing or rotor wing, annual hours of operations, and a description of purpose and use.