Adopted: March 1994
Revised: May 2019
Download 708.6AR - Drone use on or over District 196 property
1. Drone Operation
Drones may be operated on or over District 196 property only in accordance with this regulation and applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. For the purposes of this regulation, “drone” or “drones” shall mean aircraft weighing less than 55 lbs. that are operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
2. Drone Use On or Over District 196 Property
2.1 Curricular Use of Drones – District 196 staff and students may operate drones on or over District 196 property for curricular purposes only as detailed below. This section applies to all classes operating drones for curricular purposes, no matter how minimal or infrequent the operations.
2.1.1 All curricular drone operations shall be conducted under the close supervision of a staff person holding a Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) remote pilot license.
2.1.2 Staff persons using drones for curricular purposes shall be responsible for complying, and should familiarize themselves, with this regulation and federal, state and local laws, regulations and safety guidelines relating to the operation of drones. Information relating to operational and safety guidelines is located in Section 4 below.
2.1.3 Students operating drones for curricular purposes must have permission from their teacher, and must hold a remote pilot license or operate the drone under the “direct supervision” (as defined by FAA regulations) of a staff person holding a remote pilot license.
2.1.4 The FAA imposes several requirements when drones are operated under a remote pilot license. A summary of these requirements is available on the FAA’s website.
2.2 Use of Drones by Staff, Students and Members of the Public for Extracurricular, Cocurricular or Non-Curricular Purposes –
2.2.1 Except as provided in Section 2.1 above, no person, including staff, students or members of the public, may operate a drone on or over District 196 property, including at any extracurricular or cocurricular school event, unless prior permission is obtained from a school administrator, the Director of Community Education (in the case of facility rentals) or the Coordinator of Facilities (in the case of building facility operations). Prior to approval of any drone operations, the district may ask for proof that the operator has properly registered the drone, has appropriate authority to fly the drone for the contemplated operations (e.g., is operating under a remote pilot license or other lawful authority) and maintains adequate liability insurance.
2.2.2 If a drone is sought to be used during an event sponsored by an outside organization (such as the Minnesota State High School League), any additional restrictions or bans imposed by the outside organization must be observed.
2.2.3 District 196 reserves the right to refuse, or revoke, permission to use a drone.
3. Using District-owned Drones Off District 196 Property
Drones owned by District 196 may not be flown on or over non-district property unless approval is given by an appropriate administrator and the relevant property owner. All relevant provisions of this regulation and other government laws and regulations shall be adhered to during such operations.
4. Safety and Operational Requirements
Unless otherwise permitted by law, the following restrictions shall apply for all drone purchases or drone operations conducted on or over District 196 property.
4.1 The drone shall:
4.1.1 Be properly registered with the FAA and the Minnesota Department of Transportation if weighing more than 0.55 lbs.
4.1.2 Be operated by a person with appropriate authority to fly the drone for its intended use.
4.1.3 Weigh less than 55 pounds.
4.1.4 Not fly within restricted or controlled airspace unless approval has first been obtained from appropriate airport and/or FAA authorities. Users flying with, or under the direct supervision of someone holding, a remote pilot license must obtain air traffic control permission when operating in Class B, C, D and E airspace. Different restrictions may apply to operations conducted under another type of license or authority.
4.1.5 Be flown within the visual line of sight of the operator, and in accordance with FAA height and speed restrictions.
4.1.6 Yield the right of way to manned aircraft and never fly near other aircraft.
4.1.7 Never be flown directly over people or near buildings.
4.1.8 Never be flown at night.
4.1.9 Not be operated in a reckless or hazardous manner, cause a nuisance or infringe upon the privacy of others.
4.2 Federal, state and local law provide additional rules on drone use, which may be more restrictive than the above. Individuals shall comply with all such rules when operating drones on district property.
References:
- Public Law 112-95, Section 336, FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012