Texas Tech University

Drones

To purchase any drone or drone components at Texas Tech University you must first receive approval from the Department of Environmental Health & Safety for the purchase. Employees wishing to purchase a drone can request approval by submitting the Drone Notification Form to EHS.  The following restrictions apply to purchasing commercial drones:

  1. As of May 29, 2020, funds from Department of Defense contract research are prohibited from procurement of Chinese-made drone systems DARS: 2020-O0015.
  2. As of January 23, 2023, the State of Texas has placed the SZ DJI Technology Company on the prohibited technologies list, preventing DJI drones from being purchased and used on state-owned devices or networks. 

After approval is obtained:

  1. The user must register the aircraft with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if it weighs more than 0.55 lbs. (250 grams) and less than 55 lbs. (25 kg) and obtain a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) or a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA.
  2. The user must obtain a certificate of insurance with a $1,000,000 liability limit and provide that to the Office of Risk Management.
  3. The user must receive written approval from the Texas Tech Police Department before flying the drone on or over university property.

Resources

Drone Notification Form

TTU OP 76.07

FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems