Policy Statement: 16-04
California State University, Long BeachJune 14, 2016
Policy Statement: 16-04
California State University Long Beach
Policy on Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The following policy statement was recommended by the Academic Senate in its meeting April 7, 2016 and approved by the President on May 31, 2016.
California State University Long Beach Policy on Unmanned Aircraft Systems
1.0Policy Rationale
TheFederal AviationAdministration(FAA)hasjurisdictionoverallnavigable airspace intheUnited States.TheFAAsprimarymission istoensurethesafe andefficientoversightandmanagementofthenationalairspacesystem.Allaircrafts,whethermannedorunmanned,aresubjecttoFAArulesandregulations,and violationscarryseverefederal penalties.Additionally,boththeDepartmentofStateandtheDepartmentofCommerce(ITAR/EAR)regulateexportcontrolovervariousformsofunmannedaircraftsystems(UAS) as defined by the FAA.
CaliforniaStateUniversityLongBeach(CSULB)must complywithFAArequirements,statelaw,and anyother locallyapplicable lawsorregulationsregardingUAS.Inherentrisksintheoperationofsuchequipmentrequireadditionalinsuranceprovisionsandpolicyconsiderations.CSULBwillfollowestablishedproceduresrequired to ensurecompliancewith thoselegalobligationsandtoreduce riskstosafety,security, andprivacy.
TheFAAallowspublicuniversitiestooperateUASsforgovernmentalresearch functions.InorderforaUniversitytooperateaUASfor governmentalresearchpurposes,theymust applyforandbegranted aCertificate ofAuthorization(COA) fromtheFAA. COAs are grantedtotheUniversity,notto individuals.Furthermore,inorderto be eligiblefora COA,theunmannedaircraftmustbeusedforanon-commercialpurpose.
To obtain aCOA from theFAA, CSUapplicantsmustfirstobtainaletterofdeclarationfromtheChancellor’sOffice– Office of GeneralCounsel (OGC).ThislettermustaccompanyanyCOAapplication(andservesasasubstitutionfortheletterfromtheStateAttorneyGeneral).
Individualsmaynotdirectlyrequest aletterofdeclarationfromtheOGC; it mustbe requestedbya campusUASEvaluationBoard.The purpose of thisPolicytherefore is toprovide CSULBpersonnelthestructuretorequest aletterofdeclarationfromtheOGC.
Additionally,CSULBmustcomplywithLongBeachAirportFlightRegulations.Theentire CSULBcampusresideswithintheLongBeach Airport controlairspace.TheFAAhasestablished theairspacesurroundingLongBeachAirport asa ClassD airspace, whichrequiresallaircraftpilotstomaintaintwo-waycommunicationwiththe controltowerwhenoperatingwithin a5mileradiusatan altitude of2,500feetorlessabovethe ground.Two-waycommunicationwiththeLongBeachAirportcontroltowermustbeestablishedbeforeenteringtheLongBeachAirportairspace.BecauseanyUAS issubjecttoFAAregulation,no flightshouldtake placeunlesspriorapprovalisobtained fromthe LongBeachAirport administration.
Currently,theFAAconsiders the use ofanunmannedaircraft foreducational ortrainingpurposes to becommercial innature andhas indicatedit willnotgrantpublicuseCOAsforeducational ortraining uses.
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Policy Statement: 16-04
2.0Scope
Thispolicyappliestoanyindividualoperating UASin FAA airspace aspartoftheir Universityemploymentoraspartof Universityactivities.
3.0 UnmannedAircraftSystemsEvaluationBoardRoleand Composition
3.1 TheUnmannedAircraftSystemsEvaluation Board(UASEB)isresponsiblefortheoversightofCSULB-UASoperationsincaseswhere a COA isrequired bytheFAA.AnyUASactivityinFAAregulatedairspacemustbereviewed andapprovedbytheUASEB.ThisoversightprovidesaminimumlevelofassurancethattheallUniversityUASoperatorsareawareofthepermittingrequirements(i.e.,FAA),cognizantofsafetyandprivacyconsiderations,andpreparedandcapableofoperatingthe UASsafelyandresponsibly.
OGCisinvolvedonly inprovidingthepublic declarationletter, notthe subsequent applicationtotheFAA.A COA applicationtothe FAAwill be completedby the applicantand mustbesubmittedforeachaircrafttobeoperatedinaspecificair space.ORSP is responsible forcoordinatingthe submissionofand serving as the formalcustodianfor allCOAs.
3.2 TheCSULBUASEBmembershipensuresthattheinterestsofthevariousstakeholdersarerepresented and iscomprised ofthefollowing:
- AssociateVicePresidentforResearch SponsoredPrograms,ordesignee(chair,exofficio);
- PoliceChief,ordesignee;
- Directorof EnvironmentalHealth Safety,ordesignee;
- RiskManagement,ordesignee;
- CollegeDean,ordesignee; and
- Twofacultymembersandtwoalternatefacultymembers
FacultymemberswillbeelectedbytheAcademicSenateand serveatwoyearterm.Alternatefacultymemberswillservewheneveraregularmemberisfaced with aconflictofinterest andthusmustrecusethemselvesfromthedeliberations.
4.0 Theproceduresandtheapplicationforapprovalfromthe UASEBcanbefoundinAttachmentsAandB.Theattachmentsthatfollowaredocumentsthatare partofthepolicybutthatmaybemodified bytheExecutiveCommitteeoftheAcademicSenateinconsultationwiththeUASEB.
Definitions:
-COA:CertificateofAuthorization
-FAA:FederalAviationAdministration
-OGC:OfficeofGeneralCouncil
-ORSP:OfficeofResearchandSponsoredPrograms
-UAS:UnmannedAircraftSystems
-UASEB:UnmannedAircraftSystemsEvaluationBoard
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Policy Statement: 16-04
AttachmentA - ProtocolsandProceduresforCOAApplicationRequest
InternalRequest for aCOA Application
1.Priorto submittingtheInternal Requestfora COAApplication, it isstronglyrecommendedthattheapplicantreviewtheFAAsmostrecentUASFAQandinformationonlineat:.
2.It istheresponsibilityoftheindividual applicantseekinga COAtoprovideallthepertinentinformationrequiredbytheUASEB.TheAssociateVicePresidentforResearchandSponsored Programs(ordesignee)isthepointof contactregardingtechnicalguidanceon questionsrelatedtotheInternalCOAApplication requestprocess.ApplicationsaretobesubmittedtoORSP.
3.Boththeapplicantandthecampusshouldensure thatproposedUASoperations:
- Complywithapplicablelaws, governmentregulations,and Universitypolicies;
- Donotpose athreatto health,safety,privacy, ortheenvironment;
- Includeappropriatestepstomanageandmitigate associatedrisks;and
- Serve themissionoftheUniversityandinterestsofthepublic atlarge.
4.InternalCOA Applicationsbeingsoughtforairspace over landnotownedbytheUniversityrequiretheapplicantincludelettersofagreement asapplicablefromtheexternalpartythatspecifiestheirconsenttotheproposed activitywhichmayincludelegal responsibilitiesand/or obligationsofallofthe involvedparties.Theletter ofagreementshouldbeattachedtotherequestforthepublicdeclarationletter.
5.TheInternalCOAApplicationrequest istobesubmittedtothe UASEBforreviewforapproval.
ProceduresforApprovalfromtheUASEB
1.AnyCSULBaffiliatedpersonnelintendingto flyaUAS in FAA-controlledairspace mustsubmitanInternalCOAApplication(AttachmentB)request totheUASEB.UASusagerequiresa COAfromtheFAA.TheCOA requestfrom CSULBmustincludeapublic letterofdeclarationfrom theOGC.The UASEBwillformallyreviewandapprove InternalApplicationsseekingaCOA.
2.Individualsengaging inUAS activitywill completetheCSULBCOAApplication(AttachmentB)requestand submittothe UASEB.
3.TheCSULBCOAApplicationrequestcontainsthefollowing:
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Policy Statement: 16-04
i.Purpose,nature (e.g.research,instruction, orother),andgoalsofthe worktobeundertaken;
ii.NeedforUAS;
iii.Typeofvehicle(s)/equipmenttobe utilizedandthemanner inwhich it/theywillbeoperated,airworthiness;
iv.Theidentityofpilot(s)orotherremoteoperator(s),requisitequalified visualobservers,and appropriatetrainingsofthoseidentified;
v.Dates/scheduleofactivitiestobeundertaken;
vi.Locale(s)andflightplanfor operationsand studyarea summary;
vii.Datatobecollectedforthepurposesofthe proposedproject;
viii.Provisionsforsecurityofthe equipment(bothduring andoutsideofoperation)andofanysensitivedatacollected;
ix.Provisionsformanagingassociatedrisk,includingappropriateinsuranceconsiderations(seeRiskManagement);
x.Sourcesandnatureoffinancial support, ifappropriate;
xi.Communicationsplanfor notifyinglocal landownersand/orpoliceagencies, asappropriate, intheoverflightradiusofplannedoperationseachtime aUASisflown;
xii.Written affirmationthattheUASmissionwillbeused onlyfornoncommercial,researchpurposes;
xiii.ProposalsforflightsinairspaceoverlandnotownedbytheUniversityshouldprovidecontact informationforinvolvedparties;and
xiv.ProposalsforflightsinairspaceoverlandnotownedbytheUniversityshouldincludelettersofagreementthatspecifyacknowledgement.
4.UASEBwill reviewtheprotocolandnotifythe applicantoftheUASEBapproval withinten(10)workingdaysofreceipt.
5.Upon approvalbythe UASEB, theUASEBChair willrequestapublicdeclarationletterfromtheOGC.
RequestforaPublicDeclarationLetterfromOGC
Requestsfor apublicdeclarationletterto accompanya COA applicationtotheFAA willonlybeconsideredoncetheInternal COAApplicationrequesthasbeen reviewedand approvedbytheCSULBUASEB.Once approved,the requestfora letter ofdeclarationwillbeforwardedtotheOGC.Therequestwill include assurancesthatthe applicant isapartofthe state government,andthatthe UAS willbeusedasa "publicaircraft"fora "governmentalfunction” andwillnotbeusedfor"commercialpurposes.”TherequestwillincludethefullCOAApplicationrequestand associated documentationper section 5.1.Request willbefacilitatedbytheORSP.Therequest willbesubmitted totheOGCwithinfive(5)workingdaysof UASEBapproval.
RequestforCOAfromFAA
COAsare heldbythe University, notbyindividuals.ORSP isresponsiblefor coordinatingthesubmissionofandservingastheformalcustodianforallCOAs.ACOA applicationtothe
FAAwill be completedbytheapplicantand mustbe submittedforeachaircrafttobeoperatedin a specificairspace.
UASRegistration,Acquisition,and Insurance
1.ORSPwill retain copiesof eachCOA permit.
2.FollowingCOAapprovalandpriortobeginningoperations,appropriateinsurancecoveragemustbeobtainedforregisteredUAS.InformationonobtaininginsurancecanbeobtainedfromRiskManagement.
3.AllUAS mustberegisteredwithORSP.AllUASand system component acquisitionsaretobeprocessed via requisitionsandregistered withtheORSPupon receipt.
Proofof COAPermit/Complaintsand/orAccidents
1.WheneveraCOAapplicationisapprovedbytheFAA,thepilot orremoteoperatoraretobeinphysical possessionofa copyofthevalidauthorizationpermitforsuchoperationandpreparedtodisplaythepermit upon requestfromlawenforcement orotherappropriateauthorities.
2.Anycomplaintagainst authorized COA activityoranyaccidentsordamagerelatedtoCOAactivitymust immediatelybereportedtothe AssociateVicePresidentforResearchand SponsoredPrograms(ordesignee)andanyotherrelevantpartiesinaccordancewith campuspoliciesandprocedures.
Definitions:
-COA:CertificateofAuthorization
-FAA:FederalAviationAdministration
-OGC:OfficeofGeneralCouncil
-ORSP:OfficeofResearchandSponsoredPrograms
-UAS:UnmannedAircraftSystems
-UASEB:UnmannedAircraftSystemsEvaluationBoard
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Policy Statement: 16-04
AttachmentB
Attachment B - Unmanned Aircraft Systems COA Request Application
ThisapplicationisintendedtobeutilizedtofacilitatethereviewbytheUnmannedAircraftSystemsResearchEvaluationBoard(UASEB)ofresearchusingunmannedaircraftsystems.UASEBapprovalmustbeobtainedandaCertificateofAuthorization(COA)awardedpriortothecommencementofanyUASrelatedresearchflights.PleasecompletethefollowingapplicationandsubmitittotheOfficeof
ResearchandSponsoredPrograms.PleasereviewtheCSULBUASPolicypriortocompletingtheapplication.
CSULBmustcomplywithLongBeachAirportFlightRegulations.TheentireCSULBcampusresideswithintheLongBeachAirportcontrolairspace.TheFAAhasestablishedtheairspacesurroundingLongBeachAirportasaClassDairspace,whichrequiresallaircraftpilotstomaintaintwo-waycommunicationwiththecontroltowerwhenoperatingwithina5mileradiusatanaltitudeof2,500feetorlessabovetheground.
BecauseanyUASoperationonUniversitypropertyisconsideredtobepublicuseandthereforeissubject
toFAAregulation,noflightshouldtakeplaceunlesspriorapprovalisobtainedfromtheLongBeachAirportadministration.
Currently,theFAAconsiderstheuseofanunmannedaircraftforeducationalortrainingpurposestobecommercialinnatureandhasindicateditwillnotgrantpublicuseCOAsforeducationalortraininguses.
Date:
ProjectName:
Applicant:
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Telephone:
Email:
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Department:
FundingAgenciesSupportingthisResearch:
KeyProjectPersonnel(includeanyonewhowillbepresentduringresearchflights,aswellasanyone withaccesstothedataaftertheresearchflights):
ProposedResearchDates:
(researchbeginningdate)(researchcompletiondate)
AnticipatedFirstResearchFlightDate:
ProjectDescription:
Policy Statement: 16-04
ExplanationforNeedofProject/ProjectPurpose:
Type(s)ofUAStobeUtilized(ifbuiltin-house,UASmusthaveanexperimentalairworthinesscertificatebeforeapplying):
Type(s)ofSensorSystemstobeUtilized
Foreachofthefollowingcheckyesorno.Inthespaceprovided,pleaseprovideadescriptionofthemaximumresolution/rangeavailableandthelevelofdetailvisible/audibleatvariousheights.(Pleasenote:Youmaybeaskedtoprovideexamplesofimages,videostills,etc.takenfromaltitudesatwhichtheUASwillbeflownforthisresearch.)
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Digitalcamera:_
_Yes_
_No
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Description:_
Videocamera:_Yes_No
Description:_
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Infraredcamera:_Yes_
_No
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Description:_
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Microphone:_
_Yes_
_No
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Description:_
Other(listtype,name,andmanufacturer):
Description:_
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TypeofSoftwaretobeUtilizedinHandling,Management,andUseofResearchData
Inthespaceprovided,pleaseprovideathoroughdescriptionoftheintendedhandling,management,anduseoftheresearchdataandthesoftwaresystemsthatwillbeusedtosupportthiswork.
EquipmentandData:ManagementandSecurity
ManagementandsecurityofequipmentanddatamustbeconsideredbothduringandfollowingtheUASoperation.PleaseprovideadetaileddescriptionofthetypeofdatayouwillberecordingduringUASoperationsandprovisionsforsecurityofequipment,bothduringandoutsideofoperations.
Includealistingofallresearchpersonnelwhowillhaveaccesstotheequipment/dataduringUASoperations.IfyouwillbekeepinganyresearchdatabeyondtheUASoperation,pleaseprovideadetailedexplanationincludingwhereandhowdatawillbestored,howlongdatawillbestored,whowillhaveaccesstothedata,andhowdatawillbedestroyed.
AltitudeRangeforUASOperations:FEETAGLTO_FEETAGL.LocationofOperationsi.e.,coordinates(Ifmultiple,listalllocations):
Provisionsformanagingassociatedrisk,includingappropriateinsuranceconsiderations:
Communicationsplanfornotifyinglocallandownersand/orpoliceagencies,asappropriateintheoverflightradiusofplannedoperationseachtimeaUASisflown:
*PleaseattachanyMOUsoragreements
Policy Statement: 16-04
Bysigningthisapplication,youareverifyingthattheinformationprovidedonthisUASEBCOARequestApplicationandattachedinformationisaccurateandthattheprojectwillbecompletedas indicated.Inaddition,youareaffirmingthattheUASmissionwillonlybeusedfornon-commercial,researchpurposes.
Policy Statement: 16-04
SignatureofApplicant
Date
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UASEBREVIEW:
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Approved
ConditionalApproval(modificationsrequired)Disapproved
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Conditions:
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UASEBChair
Date
Policy Statement: 16-04
November 2015