1. Drones for Staff, Journalism, and Facilities Management
Brandon Stark, Director
Unmanned Aircraft System Safety
Center of Excellence
University of California

2. A Drone’s Potential on Campus
Staff may have a variety of reasons to employ a UAS as a way to
Serve as a tool for training staff in safe UAS operation
Report news via drone in ways that were previously not possible
Inspect areas that are conventionally difficult to reach
Be used by first responders on campus

3. Facility Management
Inspection of areas that are conventionally difficult to reach with people will reduce the risk to the inspectors by using a UAS as a replacement. A UAS can go into hazardous areas to assess potential dangers for a crew before they enter.

4. Journalism
A UAS can aid in the reporting of news by filming subject matter with angles and movements that were previously impossible for a journalist to perform. Drone Filming also has the potential to reduce costs as the entire platform can cost the same as just the camera traditionally.

5. First Responders
University first responders may find the use of a UAS essential in high risk situation or where rapid hazard identification is critical. By replacing people with drones there is less risk to the first responders on the scene.

6. Training Programs
Having operators that are both confident and competent in their abilities will be better pilots for the University. Training programs help the entire campus community by
Reducing the risk a drone poses by mitigating pilot error
Giving pilots experience in responding to problems correctly

7. Following the Law
All UAS flights by University staff for official University business is not recreational. It is a commercial operation and requires adherence to the FAA’s Part 107 on small UAS.
Details in a separate presentations

8. Part 107 and What it Means There are restrictions on the UAS, such as
A 100mph top speed
55lbs weight limit
Having the UAS registered with the FAA.
Not carrying hazardous materials or weapons

9. Part 107 and What it Means
Other restrictions concern the operation, including
A 400ft maximum height
Reckless flight stipulations
Not flying over people
Staying within visual range
Having a sUAS license.
Not flying past civil twilight

10. UC UAS Insurance
UC has an Unmanned Aircraft Liability policy with $5M limit, including $1M Personal Injury sublimit.
Automatic coverage for aircraft
Under 55 lbs
Flown within line of sight
Flown under 400 ft
For official UC activities
All other operations must be reported to and approved by the underwriter in order to be covered

11. UC UAS Insurance
UC Insurance only covers UC-owned and registered equipment
Does not automatically cover personally owned vehicles used for UC activities
A personally-owned UAS intended for UC activities must be reported to and approved by the underwriter in order to be covered

12. “Legal” ≠ “Safe”
Just because you follow the letter of the law does not mean that you are guaranteed to be safe

13. UAS Safety & Oversight

14. Safety and Risk Management
In every operation ask:
What is considered safe?
How can we ensure low risk and safety?
Must keep track of UAS activity on the campuses

15. UAS Safety Management System
Safety Policies
Policies establish the organizational hierarchy and responsibilities at each level. They establish oversight requirements and processes to meet safety goals
Safety Risk Management
Provides a workflow for a formal process to describe the system, identify hazards, assess risk, and control/minimize risk.
Safety Assurance
Enable the evaluation of the effectiveness of risk management strategies and ensure compliance with other oversight entities, including the FAA, the Center, and OPRM.
Safety Promotion
Educational outreach on UAS policies and FAA regulations, training on UAS Risk Management and Safety Assurance. Developing a safety culture at all levels of UAS operations.
Details in a separate presentations

16. Lack of oversight puts the University at significant and unnecessary risk

17. How to provide oversight?

18. Three Steps to Provide Oversight
Coordinate to register all aircraft in the UC system
Coordinate prior to flights
Keep track and report flights

19. Campus Point of Contact
Campuses should decide on what works best for them
Can handle registrations, flight requests or reporting if desired
UAS Safety is building an online toolset for all three free-of- charge for all campuses.
Campuses may implement their own if they would prefer

20. What does safe mean for a drone?

21. Safety Safety is not one challenge
The goal is to minimize a multitude of risks

22. Safety at the Aircraft Link
Things that can go wrong at the aircraft link
Poor maintenance
Unknown condition of components
Incorrect software or configurations
Mitigation Strategies
Preflight Checklists
Detailed records and maintenance logs

23. Safety at the Environment Link
Things that can go wrong at the environment link
Unsuitable weather conditions
Other air traffic
Hazards to people and property
Mitigation Strategies
Weather/Airspace Assessments as part of the preflight procedures
Ensuring suitable flying locations

24. Safety at the Human Link
Human error contributes to the majority of UAS accidents!
All participants should know what's going on
Brief everyone on all details
Pilots should have sufficient training

25. Summary of Mitigation Strategies
All pilots and ground crews are briefed before each flight
Pilots must have sufficient training
Preflight procedures should include
Weather Assessment
Airspace Assessment
Aircraft Assessment/Preflight Checklist
Operate only in open/clear areas
Follow-up after each operation with
Flight records
Maintenance records

26. Best Practices to Be Prepared
Always bring a fire extinguisher and/or a bucket of sand as appropriate
Always bring a first aid kit
Never fly over people
Never fly in a manner that creates a hazard to people or property

27. The Expectation of Privacy

28. Privacy
Working with UAS on campus requires not only understanding safety, but also privacy. Pilots should consider the expectation of privacy that people in the area have.
Operators should follow the privacy best practices issued by the University. Pilots should also have a privacy policy concerning their capture of images.

29. Best Practices DO be considerate of other people’s privacy concerns
DO make a reasonable effort to provide prior notice
DO ensure the security of any sored data
Do create and publish a privacy policy
DO NOT use a UAS for unapproved recording
DO NOT fly over private property without permission
DO NOT intentionally cause harm
DO NOT share data without a reasonable effort to de- identify nonconsenting parties

30. Privacy and News
While news reporting does not require waivers to be signed it is still important to have a privacy policy and a code of ethics to protect individuals
Respect people that choose not to be filmed and avoid harassing behavior
Do not keep data longer than necessary for the approved project

31. Operation Obtain permission from the University prior to flying
This requires having a registered drone and a sUAS license
Designate an area of operation and estimated altitude so people know where you will be
Identify risks and hazards
Make a plan on how to avoid and handle emergencies

32. What can you do to make sure your official campus UAS flights are legal and safe?

33. Campus Specific Requirements
Campuses can create programs that determine the requirements to fly under their guidance
Including training required prior to flight
UAS air worthiness inspection
Additional knowledge testing

34. Visual Observers Fulfils the see and avoid requirement
Allows for FPV operation
Cannot be “daisy-chained”
Does not need any additional licenses

35. Be aware of the Hidden Danger of Drones
Beyond Line of Sight
Large drones
Tethered Systems
Wind layers

36. For the Future Regulations will change
The number and types of pilots will be different
The need for safety and privacy will evolve

37. Creating a Lasting System
It is important to create a adaptable foundation for change
Authorizing flights and pilots will depend on new qualifications
Policies beyond the scope of the law will need to be created to address certain issues

38. Safety is the Primary Concern
Visual observers can aid in safe operation
Fly only with the correct permissions
Have safety measures in place to respond to accidents
Log all flights and crashes to a log book

39. Drones Working for the University
The possible roles for drones as part of the University’s equipment allow for a new level of safety and efficiency
By establishing a foundation of trained professionals the University will remain current with technology as well as fostering future developments

40. Questions? Other Presentations: Drones in the UC System
Phone: (209)
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Other Presentations:
Drones in the UC System
UAS Safety Management System
SUAS Remote Pilot Certificate Exam
Drones for Student Clubs
Drones for Researchers