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Policy Information

Policy Title	Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Policy
Responsible Office	Environmental Health and Safety Office
Policy Type	Facilities and Property
Policy Number	419
Last Revision Date	02/04/2026

Purpose

91���� will comply with current FAA regulations, state law, and any other locally applicable laws or regulations to ensure the safety and privacy of 91���� University students, employees, and visitors. The FAA Rule 107 was published in August 2016, and this policy illustrates the methods by which the University will achieve compliance. Inherent risks in the operation of such equipment require additional insurance provisions and policy considerations.

Scope

This policy applies to all persons operating a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) in airspace above 91���� property, including the Vestal campus, Downtown campus, Johnson City campus, and other properties owned or controlled by the University. Included are:

● Operating unmanned aircraft systems in any location as part of their University employment or as part of University activities;
● The purchase of unmanned aircraft systems with funding through 91����, including university accounts, grants, RF at 91���� or BU Foundation accounts, and;
● The hiring for or contracting for any unmanned aircraft services by a 91����
University unit.

Policy Statement

The operation of unmanned aircraft systems including drones and model aircraft is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and relevant state law. This policy exists to: support the use of UAS in research, education, and outreach within current laws and rules; protect the safety of 91���� students, faculty, and staff; and provide appropriate oversight regarding managing the risk of UAS operations at 91����.

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) must approve all UAS uses on or over University Property or in connection with University Related Activities, whether outdoors or indoors, prior to such use.

1. Eligible Individuals

This policy applies to 91���� owned and non-owned UAS when operated by:

● 91���� employees, students, and other individuals as part of University activities at any location (University User)
● Individuals performing contracted services for 91���� under FAA civil and governmental use at any location, as well any commercial entity operating on or
above 91���� property (Commercial Civil UAS User)
● The University does not permit recreational or hobbyist use of UAS on or above University property

2. Eligible Uses

The University may approve operation of UAS on or over University Property for the following purposes:

a. Research and development
b. Education (including flying for teaching purposes)
c. Student enrichment
d. Promotion or marketing for 91����-approved contractors
e. Infrastructure inspection
f. Public safety surveillance

3. Ineligible Uses

The following uses on or over University Property are prohibited:

a. Non-educational hobby or recreational use that is not a University-related Activity
b. Illegal surveillance or invasion of privacy
c. Any activity prohibited by law or University policy
d. The collection or use of sensitive institutional or personal information

4. Eligible locations

This policy applies to all UAS flights on or over University Property or in connection with a University Related Activity. All outdoor flights require EH&S approval. Unless an exemption applies, all indoor flights require EH&S approval, including but not limited to flights occurring in common spaces and rooms that may be reserved (e.g., atriums, hallways, classrooms, athletic facilities) and those occurring in connection with academic courses. Flights occurring in a drone research lab do not require submission of a Request to Operate UAS at 91����.

5. Exceptions

In case of a public safety emergency, a UAS may be operated by University Police or University Police-coordinated operator (in accordance with applicable FAA conditions of use) without EH&S approval.

EH&S reserves the right to make exceptions to this policy. Any other exceptions will be made by EH&S in writing.

Definitions

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the U.S. Department of Transportation is the federal oversight body ensuring aerospace safety. Information from the FAA specific to UAS can be found at
Part 107 is the section of the Code of Federal Regulations for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Policies, procedures, and regulations can be found at

Pilot in Command (PIC) - Pilots in Command (PIC) have full control for all UAS flight operations and must have an FAA remote pilot certificate, FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft Regulations (Part 107), or an FAA Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application) with a current FAA third-class airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government.

Small Unmanned Aircraft (UA) - means an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft. An unmanned aircraft is an aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) - means a small unmanned aircraft and its associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the small unmanned aircraft) that are required for the safe and efficient operation of the small unmanned aircraft in the national airspace system.

Note: A model aircraft is an unmanned aircraft that is one that meets all of the following conditions:

a. The aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use;
b. The aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization;

c. The aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a community-based organization;
d. The aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft; and
e. When flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport) with prior notice of the operation.

Use of UAS related to 91���� does not qualify as model aircraft regulations.

University property - Any land, grounds, buildings, or facilities owned, leased, managed or controlled by the University per formal contract or legal agreements. Also included are University owned streets, sidewalks, and bike paths.  

Visual Line of Sight - means that a person is able to: know the UAS location at all times; determine the attitude, altitude and direction of fight; and observe the airspace for other air traffic or hazards so as to not endanger the life or property of another.

Visual Observer - means a person who is designated by the remote pilot in command to assist the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS to see and avoid other air traffic or objects aloft or on the ground.

Procedures

1. Members of the 91���� community are personally responsible for complying with FAA regulations, state and federal laws, and university policies.  

2. Eligible Users:

1. 1. University Users: Any University User wishing to operate a UAS as part of their employment or as part of a University program, must first contact EH&S for coordination and permit.
   2. Commercial & Civil Third-Party Users: Any Commercial Civil Third-Party User wishing to operate a UAS on or above University property must first: 

1. 1. 1. operate as a Part 107 Pilot in Command, or
      2. a 333 exemption, or 
      3. obtain a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) issued by the FAA. Contact EH&S for coordination and approval.

Operation of a UAS by a Commercial Civil User over University property must be under a Revocable Permit / contract which holds the University harmless from any resulting claims or harm to individuals and damage to University property and provides insurance as required by University Counsel and Risk Management.

3.  Any third party wishing to use a UAS or model aircraft over University Property must first receive approval through EH&S. Third parties planning to use UAS must also provide proof of FAA UAS registration. In addition, operation of a UAS by a third party over University-owned or -controlled property must be under a Revocable Permit.  

4.  In operating a UAS for purposes of recording or transmitting visual images, operators must take all reasonable measures to avoid violations of an expectation of privacy.  Any data inadvertently obtained on non-consenting individuals or their property must be eliminated immediately.  New York State law provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally places a camera or electronic surveillance equipment that records images or data of any kind while unattended on the private property of another person without the consent of the owner or tenant of the private property commits a Class E felony.

5.  Use of UAS must comply with applicable University policies. Use of UAS for video or electronic surveillance must comply with Management Procedure # 809 Use of Video Monitoring System. 

6.   Operation of UAS by the University Police, or in coordination with local, county, or state law enforcement and emergency responding agencies for legitimate law enforcement purposes, is exempt from this policy.  Operators must have sufficient training on the specific model/s UAS to be used and adhere to FAA guidelines. UPD must notify EH&S of all flights under this section.

7.   Any damage resulting to any persons, personal or University property from the operation of a UAS on 91���� Property must be reported to University Police at 607-777-2393 and a police report made. 

Responsibilities 

The Office of Environmental Health & Safety is responsible for the following:

1. Publishing University protocols specifically related to scheduling flights and acquiring authorization to operate UAS.
2. Evaluating requests for operation of UAS on University property in accordance with any public safety related concerns for specific flight requests and de-conflict special event operations
3. Recording flight notifications and all relevant flight information in a records management system.
4. EH&S will remind pilots that any flights in Johnson City (Health Sciences campus and the JC Center (10 Gannett Dr.)) require notification to UHS Security at 607-743-3443 so proper warning can be given in the event of an inbound helicopter to the UHS Wilson Helipad. Upon notification of an inbound Helicopter the UAS must be landed immediately and not flown until an all clear is given. 
5. EH&S will notify University Police of any active drone permits on campus and if asked to do so by University Police due to a Public Safety Situation contact responsible parties to cancel planned flights. 

Restrictions and Prohibited Uses

• • UAS shall not be used to monitor or record areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy in accordance with accepted social norms. These areas include but are not limited to restrooms, locker rooms, individual residential rooms, changing or dressing rooms, and health treatment rooms.
  • UAS shall not be used to monitor or record residential hallways, residential lounges, or the insides of campus daycare facilities. 
  • UAS shall not be used to monitor or record sensitive institutional or personal information which may be found, for example, on an individual's workspaces, on computer or other electronic displays. 
  • UAS may not fly through, above or in the vicinity of University residential communities.
  • UAS may not operate over people in a manner that puts them at risk, unless they are part of the operation or are under a covered structure.
  • UAS may not fly above 400’ above ground level (AGL). 
  • Users may not fly a UAS under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Sanctions 

Violations of this policy will be addressed pursuant to applicable university policies and procedures. For employees, this may include action under the appropriate disciplinary process. For students, this may include sanctions under the Code of Student Conduct.

Legal prohibitions regarding physical presence on campus/trespassing and other legal action may also be pursued against third parties that operate UAS in violation of this policy.

Fines or damages incurred by individuals or units that do not comply with this policy will be the responsibility of those persons involved.

Forms / Instructions

Request to operate UAS at 91���� ( .PDF )

(links to an )

Cross Reference to Related Policies 

• 91���� Management Procedure #401: Property Control – State Buildings  (https:/binghamton.edu/operations/policies/policy-401.html)
  91���� Management Procedure #410: Guidelines for Non-Credit Use of Campus Facilities (https:/binghamton.edu/operations/policies/policy-410.html) 
  91���� Management Procedure # 809: Use of Video Monitoring System (https:/binghamton.edu/operations/policies/policy-809.html) 

Responsible University Office 

Office of Environmental Health & Safety (/offices/environmental-health-safety/)

Related Information 

 FAA Recommended guidelines for all UAS operators:

FAA B4UFLY app for iOS and Android:

FAA Rule 107:

 FAA Request for Waiver

Date	Description	Responsible Party
02/11/2025	Biennial review conducted.  No changes.	Environmental Health & Safety
02/04/2026	Revised policy to better define eligible individuals & eligible and ineligible uses.  Approved by SOG 2/03/2026.	Environmental Health & Safety