(from Bolton & Company) As unmanned aerial vehicles known as drones proliferate on campuses, independent schools are taking a closer look at how the devices might affect their insurance policies and more. Growing numbers of insurance companies are including premiums for drones based on size and use. As for how drones are used on school campuses, Bolton & Company notes this:
In May of 2016, the FAA issued an interpretation memorandum regarding educational use, which can be found
here. Under this document, the FAA clarified that a student may operate a UAV under the FAA recreational classification at an accredited institution if it is part of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), television and film production or the arts coursework. Any use of the drone with
commercial intent or for
financial gain is not permitted under this classification.
The FAA interpretation, however, was much more restrictive on the operation of drones by faculty. They concluded that because faculty members are compensated for their work they are to be considered commercial operators. They do allow for very minimal faculty participation while the student is operating the drone, such as taking temporary control to avoid a collision or similar situation.
Accordingly, those faculty members using drones in their curriculum will need to be trained as to what is considered acceptable participation without crossing that fine line into the commercial FAA category—if they have not met the qualifications as a commercial operator.
By law, schools are required to registering drones weighing between .55 and 55 pounds with the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition, they must ensure the use of any drone falls within the appropriate FAA classification (recreational, commercial, etc.) and meets all FAA requirements for that classification.
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