OP 60.31: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drone) Flight Requests

[NEW OP–initial posting 6/8/26]

Texas Tech University Double T

Operating Policy and Procedure

OP 60.31: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drone) Flight Requests

DATE: June 8, 2026

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Operating Policy/Procedure (OP) is to establish the procedures to be followed when anyone intends to operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) on or over any Texas Tech University-owned or leased property.

REVIEW: This OP will be reviewed every two years after publication. The Assistant Vice President for Environmental Health & Safety and the Assistant Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer will coordinate revisions with the UAS Compliance Committee. Substantive revisions will be forwarded to the Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer (SVPAF/CFO) and the Provost and Senior Vice President.

APPLICABILITY

University employees and students operating unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS” or “drones”) under Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) Part 107 regulations or under recreational operations of unmanned aircraft in accordance with 49 USC § 44809 in any location as part of their employment or as part of TTU activities;
The operation by any person of UAS or model aircraft on or above TTU leased or owned property;
Flights of UAS by any guest or non-affiliated organizations or individuals (e.g., advertisements for vendors, broadcasts, or news agencies) on or above any TTU leased or owned property; and
The hiring for or contracting for any UAS services by a TTU department.
UAS operation at Reese National Security Complex will follow the UAS operation procedures of the Reese Airpark SXS8 and the rules for FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) identified as 2023-EDU-01584-FRIA.

DEFINITIONS

Remote Pilot in Command (PIC) – The person directly responsible for and is the final authority as to the operation of the UAS.

UAS – An unmanned aircraft system (UAS) without a human pilot onboard, controlled by the PIC on the ground. An aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

UAS Compliance Committee – Committee composed of Procurement Services, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Marketing and Communications, Information Technology, a representative from the Vice President for Research & Innovation, a representative from the Provost and Senior Vice President, Texas Tech Police Department (TTPD), and TTU System Risk Management. The committee meets semi-annually and reviews any relevant federal or state requirements or statutes that impact the operation of UAS.

University Property – The land and all real property owned, leased, or controlled, in accordance with federal policy, by the university.

University Sponsor – A university faculty or staff member with the authority to make departmental decisions and able to adhere to the responsibilities set forth in this policy.

Visual Observer – A person who is designated by the remote pilot in command to assist the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS to see and avoid other air traffic or objects aloft or on the ground.

POLICY/PROCEDURE

All university community members are personally responsible for complying with FAA regulations, state and federal laws, university policies related to the operation and purchase of UAS equipment (OP 72.22, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drone) and Parts Acquisitions), and TTU System Regulations.

UAS activities, including, but not limited to, hobbies, indoor and outdoor operations, testing, training, photography, surveying, and research, must comply with this policy.

1. Authorization

a. The FAA regulates the use of all aircraft, including UASs, in the National Airspace System. Texas Tech University faculty, staff, students, vendors, guests, and agents who wish to use UASs on or over university-owned or leased property must first apply and seek approval to operate a UAS.

b. In addition to the required FAA regulations, the university procedure and requirements for authorization outlined below must be followed.

Complete and submit a Drone Flight Request.
Acquire and provide documentation of liability insurance.
Provide Remote Pilot Certificate credentials.
Provide aircraft registration information.
Provide FAA Waiver for operations outside of Part 107, if applicable.

c. Any university employee, student, or unit operating a UAS (or the parts to assemble a UAS) or UAS services with university funds or funds being disbursed through a university account or grant funds must comply with the FAA rules and secure the necessary authorization from the FAA, as well as the TTPD through the Drone Flight Request. In addition, permission must be acquired from TTU Marketing & Communications for any recording and/or use of TTU images of the TTU campus for commercial purposes or for sale.

d. All UAS flight requests shall be made through the Drone Flight Request.

Requests that include potential commercial use of captured images should be submitted at least seven (7) days prior to the planned date(s) of the flight. Applications for the requested flight will be reviewed by Marketing & Communications, Texas Tech University System Risk Management, Information Technology, EHS, and the TTPD. The application is not approved until it is approved by all the required departments.
Requests that do not include potential commercial use of captured images are approved on submittal of completed forms. The form has a start date/time and end date/time for the flight window of potential UAS operation, as well as the duration of flight during that flight window.
After approval, the exact date of the drone flight may vary within the stated window (e.g., due to weather). The final dates may be modified due to weather and other logistical issues. The flight requester shall communicate with the TTPD on the final flight dates/times if a date modification is required. A new flight request is not required.

e. Third-Party UAS Requests

Any third party wishing to operate a UAS over university-owned or leased property or on behalf of the university must first receive written approval from the university at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the planned date(s) of the flight. Applications for requested flights will be reviewed by Marketing & Communications, Texas Tech University System Risk Management, Information Technology, EHS, and the TTPD. The application is not approved until it is approved by all the required departments. Third-party operators must be sponsored by a university department and provide and maintain proof of sufficient and compliant insurance, as well as evidence of compliance with FAA certifications.

f. TTU departments may coordinate with EHS and the TTPD for emergency requests (e.g., game broadcasts, televised events, emergency services). These requests must still follow the policies outlined in this OP.

2. Ineligible Uses

The following UAS uses on or over university-owned or leased property are prohibited:

a. Non-educational hobby or recreational use of a UAS on or over university property except in designated locations. Recreational/hobby use must still proceed through the standard review process and provide evidence of sufficient insurance and licenses;

b. Activities that do not have a university-affiliated sponsor;

c. Illegal surveillance or invasion of privacy;

d. Package delivery for compensation or hire unless approved in writing by the Office of the President and evidenced by a formal contract outlining the compliance requirements;

e. Any activity prohibited by law or university policy;

f. The collection or use of private information, including photos and videos, that violates the university’s brand guidelines, or is made without a properly executed sponsorship agreement; and

g. The use of any equipment in violation of Section 848 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Executive Order 13981.

3. Eligible Locations

This policy applies to all UAS flights on or over university-owned or leased property except the Reese National Security Complex (RNSC), which is governed by the Reese airfield and the FAA. All outdoor flights require approval. Unless an exemption applies, all indoor flights require EHS approval, including, but not limited to, flights occurring in common spaces and rooms that may be reserved (e.g., atriums, hallways, classrooms, athletic facilities) and those occurring in connection with academic courses, unless previous written approval has been granted by EHS. TTU will work to identify UAS-friendly flying spaces on campus, including, but not limited to the green space on the north side of the campus.

4. University No-Drone Zones

UAS flights are prohibited over or inside certain university-owned or leased buildings and properties. Restricted locations include, but are not limited to:

Central Heating & Cooling Plant;
Child Development Research Center;
Texas Tech Police Department;
Residence halls and residential buildings, unless approved in writing and in accordance with this policy;
Athletic and event facilities during any university-sanctioned event unless approved by the TTPD; and
Any location restricted or prohibited by the FAA (e.g., stadium events).

5. General Conditions of UAS Use

In general, the conditions that must be observed in all UAS operations permitted under this policy include those outlined in 14 CFR, Part 107, “Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” as amended from time to time. Refer to the UAS Standard Operating Procedure for Remote Pilot in Command and UAS conditions of use. The Office of Risk Management requires proof of a $1,000,000 drone liability insurance coverage policy for all drones operated by TTU (System Regulation 01.04).

6. Registration of UAS with the FAA

If flying outdoors, the UAS owner or PIC must register the UAS with the FAA and follow all FAA requirements, including marking the registration number on the outside of the UAS.

7. Accident and Injury Reporting

The following UAS-related accidents or injuries must be reported promptly to EHS by calling 806.742.3876:

An injury to any person; and
Damage to any property other than the UAS.

This requirement includes reports of accidents or injuries that occur during a university-related activity not conducted on or over university-owned or leased property (i.e., on or over third-party property).

EHS is responsible for reporting accidents or injuries to the FAA or National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per FAA or NTSB policy, regulation, rules, or university policies and procedures. EHS may contact the PIC to obtain information about the accident investigation. The PIC must comply with requests for information.

8. Responsibilities of PIC and the Visual Observer

All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this policy. University supervisors and employees with student oversight duties are responsible for promoting understanding of this policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure and enforce its compliance.

9. PIC and/or Visual Observer Shall:

a. Request and obtain approval prior to operating UAS on or over university-owned or leased property;

b. Follow the requirements of this policy, the UAS Standard Operating Procedure, and all applicable laws and regulations;

c. Maintain safe UAS operating conditions;

d. Always maintain possession of the approval letter from the university during UAS operation;

e. Maintain appropriate insurance, if operating for a vendor and/or for commercial use, as outlined in the Drone / UAS Standard Operating Procedure;

f. Always maintain possession of the FAA approval documentation during UAS use; and

g. Immediately report any UAS-related accident that results in injury or property damage.

10. University Sponsor Shall:

a. Ensure the PIC understands this policy and that the PIC submits an application for approval prior to operating the UAS;

b. Confirm that, when applicable, vendor contracts executed through the Office of Procurement Services (contracting@ttu.edu) are in place prior to UAS use; and

c. Ensure that UAS operations are for eligible uses only, which benefit the university.

11. Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Shall:

a. Administer this policy, including the review and approval of all applications for approval of UAS;

b. Respond to requests from university constituents for information and education about UAS use on or over university-owned or leased property;

c. Review this policy regularly and update it as necessary;

d. Identify instances of non-compliance with applicable laws or this policy, and bring such instances to the attention of the appropriate university personnel; and

e. Report accidents or injuries that the university is required to report to the FAA or NTSB.

12. Consequences for Violating this Policy

Failure to comply with these and related policies is subject to corrective action, up to and including termination of employment, in accordance with applicable corrective procedures (e.g., staff, faculty, student), or, for non-employees, may result in the suspension or revocation of the third party’s relationship with the university.

Violations of this policy by students shall be considered a violation of the university’s Student Code of Conduct or Academic Code. Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings through the Dean of Students Office.

13. Certificate of Authorization

Upon TTU’s written approval, the university will issue a certificate of authorization. The PIC shall always retain the certificate when operating a UAS on TTU campuses.

14. Related Policies

15. Other Related Information

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Texas Tech Downtown Center Room 218
Email
officialpublications@ttu.edu

OP 60.31: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drone) Flight Requests

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