Drones/Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Mines has a UAS/Drone policy  which is available in the Policy Library, under the Facilities, Property, and Safety category.  Unmanned Aircraft Systems or Drones may be used in accordance with this policy.  Recreational or hobby flight is not currently allowed at Mines.  Please read the policy and ensure the appropriate registrations, insurance, and certifications are obtained.  Any questions may be directed to the Office of Compliance & Policy by emailing compliance@mines.edu.

Contact us

Compliance and Policy Office

compliance@mines.edu

1600 Jackson Street
Suite 240
Golden, CO 80401

Faculty & Staff

Faculty and Staff interested in using Drones weighing between .5lb. and 55 lbs. for research, education, or service to Mines and the community must do the following PRIOR to flight of the UAS:

      • Registration: Register craft with the FAA as Mines owned equipment and affix appropriate “tail” numbers to vehicle/system.
      • Insurance:  Complete the information for the Compliance & Policy Office regarding the UAS, the pilot, usage, and location.
        1. UAS must be in Visual Line of Sight (unaided) and flown between 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes prior to sunset at the location and not exceed 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL).
        2. One pilot per UAS in flight only.
      • Piloting:  To fly a Drone for Mines activities, research, educational efforts, the pilot must be a UAS licensed pilot or a regular sport or recreational pilot in good standing and provide proof of licensing to Compliance & Policy Office.
  1. Two Usages:  Research use (including sponsored or non-sponsored research) or Educational use (see below under Student).
  2. Safety:  The pilot or department that engages a pilot is responsible for the maintenance and use (including recommended Mines Safety Procedures) of the UAS.
    *Licenses must be current and on the person when flying the UAS.
      1. Planning:  Create a safety plan, maintenance schedule, and document all.  Keep all documentation with you during UAS usage.
      2. Location:  On campus, UAS may ONLY be flown in limited locations, including the Mines Survey Field (south of Mines Park and West of Highway 6).   With appropriate approval, the North IM Field may be used if unoccupied and cordoned off.
          1. UAS may not be flown over people.
          2.  Permission must be obtained from state, local, and Federal authorities. (For example, Jefferson County Open Space)
          3. UAS may not be flown within 5 miles of an airport, heliport, etc. without prior permission as required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
          4. For all indoor flight or usage in the EDGAR Mines, the pilot should obtain approval to use the space.  Some spaces have restrictions regarding usage.
            Contact the Building Proctor and Facilities Management in advance for more information.
          5. Outside of Mines, airspace is categorized as restricted or allowable. Check with the FAA to determine the location of each type of airspace.

         

      3. No hazardous materials may be in or attached to the UAS. Weight of the UAS may not exceed 55 lbs. including payload. If the payload is Export Controlled equipment, additional review is required prior to use by Office of Research Administration.

     

  3. Travel with a Mines owned UAS/Drone Outside of the Continental US: Prior to hand-carrying, shipping, sending in luggage a Drone/UAS. out of the continental US, please consult with ORA or Compliance & Policy Office regarding the UAS.  See also Export Controls.
  4. Recording:  Video and photographic recording of people must be pre-approved and may require waivers or other documentation.

Insurance & Licensing

Licensing small UAS/drones: FAA licensing of the craft is handled through the Federal Aviation Administration and the cost is minimal.  The registration (aka Tail) numbers must be on the UAS and registered with the Compliance & Policy Office for tracking.  Please update the Compliance Office on crafts that are no longer in service or newly acquired crafts.

Pilots:  FAA requires small UAS pilots to be licensed to fly for research or commercial purposes.  If the Pilot has a certification for manned aircraft, they do not need to take the UAS pilot exam.

Insurance for Mines UAS: Insurance on the usage of the UAS is available through Mines additional insurance policy.  The policy is no cost to the employee unless specific hull or payload coverage is requested. Registration of the UAS with the Compliance & Policy Office is required for approved flight and to ensure insurance coverage.

Student/Educational Use

The FAA published an interpretation of “Educational Usage” that specifies when the usage is allowed and the requirements of such usage.  The Compliance & Policy Office assists the faculty and staff to determine appropriate usage. See the form below.  Regular, recreational/hobbyist use is not currently allowed on, over, or from/to campus.  This small usage category applies when a student operates a UAS to further their aviation-related education at an accredited educational institution, and not merely for hobby or recreation.

Generally, the student hobbyist may not (1) fly UAS on behalf of Mines’ or a faculty/staff member in place of proper licensing or (2) receive any compensation (e.g., on/from a research project) related to that person’s operation of the aircraft at such events.  This would transform the use to commercial or research, which has specific guidelines provided above.

Location and Recording requirements identified above apply to the Student use of UAS.  Faculty may not pilot the UAS for Student/Educational use except in emergency circumstances.

FAA Memorandum on Educational Use of UAS

Visitors

Due to the nature of the UAS and the risk to the person(s) and structures on campus, no use by visitors is allowed.

Accident Reporting

Mines wants to ensure the safety of its community. Should you have an accident while operating a UAS, notify the Compliance & Policy Office by email or phone.

Resources

Submit a Request for Approval to Fly

Would you like to request a drone flight on campus? Please fill out our online request form today!