Student Clubs and Drones Brandon Stark, Director Unmanned Aircraft System Safety Center of Excellence University of California

Want to Fly Drones? Drones give a different perspective Take a group selfie See what you can’t Record unforgettable moments They’re also a lot of fun

Recent News: Cal Fire Eric Wamser, a drone ‘hobbyist’ Posted video of wildfire Arrested for flying near Foresthill, CA wildfire Flying near wildfire can result in $27,500 in civil penalties

Don’t Be This Guy Mical Caterina, a ‘good guy helping a friend’ Asked to take some aerial shots of Human Lion Tribute –”Cecil” the lion Wasn’t paid $55,000 dollar fine by the FAA

What is a drone? Drone/Unmanned Aircraft – an aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft This includes model aircraft built by student clubs for competitions! Details in a separate presentations

FAA Regulations All unmanned aircraft are aircrafts All model aircraft are unmanned aircraft Model aircraft are determined by the purpose of the flight, not by any other characteristic such as size or autopilot.

How to know which rules to fall under? Model Aircraft Recreational – Flown strictly for hobby or recreational use Hobby – Pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation Recreation – A refreshment of strength and spirits after work, a means of refreshment or diversion Unmanned Aircraft Non-Recreational - Flying for a purpose that is not recreational Includes commercial and research. Selling photos or videos taken from a drone Using a drone to provide contract services Using a drone to provide professional services

RCO Recreational Setting Flying a drone must be set within club purpose Common examples Photography Club – Using drone to take pictures Videography Club – Using drone to take videos Engineering Club/Organization – Build and Fly drones

RCO Commercial Setting Tip: If you can hire someone, it is commercial Examples: Drone recording/photography at RCO event Drone demonstration at paid event Drone recording/photography at RCO recreational activity Drone training and schooling program

More Example Flights An organization hosts an event and records the event – commercial An organization flies a drone for fun – recreational Taking a picture of organization members at a club specified party – commercial Taking a picture of organization members hanging out – recreational A club uses a drone for demonstrations at a paid event – commercial A club uses a drone for demonstrations at a free event – recreational Journalism club covers an event and records and takes pictures with a drone – recreational Photography club takes pictures and records an event with a drone and receives compensation – commercial

What are the rules?

Recreational Rules Aircraft over 0.55 lbs must be registered Registration number must appear on the aircraft Must follow community-based safety guidelines Must notify airport and air traffic control tower before flying within 5 miles of an airport- Class B, C, D and E airspace UC template available

Recreational Rules Must ALWAYS yield right of way to manned aircraft Must keep the aircraft in sight (visual line-of-sight) Must not fly over people Must not fly recklessly or endanger surrounding people and property

Drone organizations There are many organizations that use drones First Person View (FPV) Racing AUVSI AIAA These organizations mainly fly under recreational laws Recreational laws are not limited to these organizations. Drones can be incorporated into different clubs

AMA Academy of Model Aeronautics Members of the AMA may follow community based guidelines for drones over FAA rulings Registration Card Issued $75 a year Adult Membership ($15 for a student club)

Commercial Rules Must have Remote Pilot Airman Certificate Must keep the aircraft in sight (visual line-of-sight) Must fly under 400 feet Must fly during the day Must fly at or below 100 mph Details in a separate presentations

Commercial Rules Must yield right of way to manned aircraft Must NOT fly over people Must NOT fly from a moving vehicle Aircraft must be under 55 lbs. Aircraft must undergo pre-flight inspection Class G Airspace or Class B, C, D, or E Airspace with permission

Commercial License Remote Pilot Certificate with SUAS Rating Effective August 29, 2016 sUAS License requires $200 – $150 for test and $50 for vetting Gives license holder the power to operate commercially Nearly 700 testing centers in the US

Follow UC Merced Policy on Drones Any UAS flight on UC Merced must have prior authorization from the Office of Campus and Public Safety Flight Request form at

UC Merced Policy on Drones Any flight MUST have prior authorization The aspects of operations must be reported Flights must follow Federal laws accordingly All flights must ensure public safety, right to privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties

UC Merced Policy on Drones Any accidents or collisions during flight must be reported Each drone that is bought or used by a club or organization must be registered with the Office of Campus and Public Safety and FAA Indoor flights must have prior approval from Office of Campus and Public Safety

What can I get in trouble for? Flying without registering yourself or your drone Flying without the appropriate license Flying beyond line of sight Flying over people Flying recklessly or dangerously Flying in restricted areas

If someone stops you what do you do? Land in the safest manner possible Both FAA and Local Law enforcement has the right to inspect your registration Campus and authoritative figure have the right to check your Identification Campus has authority to approve or deny activities on Campus Grounds Be prepared to show Identification and Proof of Authorization

Respect Privacy Privacy – where someone believes they are not being publicly watched Do not fly drones that invade other people’s privacy California Paparazzi drone law – illegal to fly drones over another person’s property Fined 3x over the initial illegal drone flight fine Regardless of pictures taken Considered spying

What Items Do You Need To Legally Fly? Recreational License number registered with FAA displayed on aircrafts Registration fee $5 per person

What Items Do You Need To Legally Fly? Commercial sUAS Pilot License Certificate of Authorization (COA) Aircraft Registrations and Markings Registration $5 per aircraft

Commercial or Recreational? Club/Organization Dinner DJI Phantom records the event and takes pictures The operator is a club member

Commercial or Recreational? A couple of your club friends decide to hang out. More club members invited and hanging out turns into a potluck for the club Someone brings their Parrot Bebop to take pictures

Is My Flight Allowed? Cheat sheet on where your flight applies

Questions? UC Center of Excellence on UAS Safety Phone : (209) Website : Like Us On Facebook: