[UAS] Policy on Unmanned Aerial Systems Use for the Santa Rita Experimental Range

[Rahr, Matt - (rahr)]

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to share a UAS policy that is being drafted by the Santa Rita Experimental Range, a UA property south of campus. The policy is based on the principle that the UA does not have the resources to police UAS use across the SRER, and that public safety is the responsibility of the pilot in command. A remote pilot license is required (as defined in Part 107<https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/AC_107-2_AFS-1_Signed.pdf>).

Please take a look and feel free to reply with your feedback.

Thanks,
Matt

Matt Rahr
Director, CALS Communications and Cyber Technologies (CCT)
Director, Cyber Experiment Station
http://cct.cals.arizona.edu<http://cct.cals.arizona.edu/> - 520-626-0329

From: srer [mailto:srer-bounces at list.cals.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of Mcclaran, Mitchel P - (mcclaran)
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2017 6:18 PM
To: srer at list.cals.arizona.edu
Subject: [srer] draft policy on Unmanned Aerial Systems Use for the Santa Rita Experimental Range


Date: 18 August 2017

To: Santa Rita Experimental Range Community of Users

From: Mitch McClaran: Director for Research, Santa Rita Experimental Range

Subject: Draft Policy of Best Practices for Unmanned Aerial Systems Use



Given the increasing use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS; i.e. Drones) on the Santa Rita, we are developing some best practices policies to ensure their legal and safe use by researchers and instructors.  The last thing we want is a crash of two UASs, or worse yet an incident endangering humans or other aircraft.



Therefore, we are considering a best practices policy that addresses the license status of the UAS pilot, registration status of the UAS, and entry of flight plans in the public domain so that other users can be prepared for possible encounters.

Specifically, the policy will apply to the content and review of a Range Use Application<https://taac.arizona.edu/SRER/forms-and-applications> for a research or instruction projects that includes UAS activity.


The policy is based on the principles that:

  1.  safe UAS operations is the responsibility of the pilot in command,
  2.  the University of Arizona does not have the resources to police UAS use across the 20,000 ha Santa Rita Experimental Range, and
  3.  the University does have a responsibility to facilitate safe and legal use of UASs through the establishment of best practices and the assistance for achieving those best practices.

The attached file is the draft of the best practices policy that is being considered. We ask that you review it, and share your comments with me.  Most importantly, we ask that you NOW begin to you follow it to the best of your ability, especially the flight plan registration to avoid in-flight collisions.



I look forward to hearing from you about this draft policy.



Cheers,

Mitch


Mitch McClaran
Professor of Range Management, School of Natural Resources and the Environment
Director for Research, Santa Rita Experimental Range
Associate Director for Strategy and Rangelands, Arizona Experiment Station
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
University of Arizona
520-390-9801 (cell)
520-621-1673 (office)
http://snre.arizona.edu/people/mitch-mcclaran
Office Location: 112 Biological Sciences East

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