When you fly an Unmanned Aircraft System (aka UAS or “drone”), or in an airplane for that matter, you are using the U.S. national airspace system (NAS).
If you want to take a look at the airspace at UNF, there is a handy site that the FAA and a company called Kittyhawk have set up to see where it’s safe to fly or where there are restrictions. It’s called B4UFLY.
As you can see, there are two types of airspace on the UNF campus. Now, that doesn’t mean you can rush to the south end of UNF campus and take your drone out for a flight anytime you want. The UNF Department of Environmental Health & Safety needs to be aware of any drones on campus, so that means that several steps need to be taken PRIOR to flying ANYWHERE on campus. In general the steps are:
- Notify UNF Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) prior to purchasing a UAS.
- Obtain certification as a Remote Pilot (an FAA Part 107 certificate) – The FAA website is still catching up to its new rules, but they have basic information for getting a drone pilot license.
- Register the UAS with the FAA ( go to https://faadronezone.faa.gov/)
- Follow all FAA Part 107 operational restrictions and requirements (the FAA Getting Started page has good info)
- In addition, UNF requires the following for EH&S approval:
- Submission of a flight operations plan
- Proof of Part 107 certification (a plastic card is issued by the FAA and should be with you when flying)
- Proof of UAS registration (print the small PDF card the FAA issues you and keep that with you too)
- Proof of Airspace Authorization from KCRG (Use B4UFLY/Kittyhawk to get authorization for Jacksonville Executive Airport at Craig).
- Review of liability and property insurance requirements based upon the intended UAS operations.
We have more information about Part 107 licensing on the certification page. As part of your certification, you will need to be generally aware of airspace rules. The FAA has a good starter page on “Rules of the Sky”.
Once you have followed the steps above, you can not only fly in the “Clear Airspace” at the south end of campus, but with Part 107 certification, you will be authorized to fly in the “Controlled Airspace” as well. Your certification as a Part 107 pilot is valid for 2 years, and the registration of your drone is valid for 3 years. You must also keep current on the liability and property insurance requirements. However, be aware, you will need to get airspace authorization from Craig airport, AND submit a “flight operations plan” to the UNF Department of Environmental Health & Safety EVERY TIME YOU FLY!
