Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The Texas A&M University System Office and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) require that all unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) be placed on inventory and have an asset number assigned to them regardless of their dollar amount.
Inventory Asset Number
- Unmanned aircraft systems that cost $0-$4,999.99 should be coded 5784.
- Unmanned aircraft systems that cost $5,000 or more should be coded 8431.
When completing a preliminary fixed asset for an unmanned aircraft system, please make sure that you include a very detailed description of the asset, along with the model and serial number. This information is vital when it comes to tracking these types of assets.
If you own one of these aircraft, please contact the TEES Property Office to confirm we have it on inventory.
Registration
As of Dec. 21, 2015, unmanned aircraft systems weighing more than .55 pounds (250 grams or 8.8 oz) up to 55 pounds are required to be registered with the FAA. The cost to register your drone is $5.00. See Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) drone registration information. Note the requirements for paper registration versus electronic registration.
Once you have registered your UAS, please send a copy of the Small UAS Certificate of Registration you receive from the FAA to the TEES Property Office at mail stop 3124, or via email to jcaddel@tamu.edu. It can be kept on file with the asset documentation. Additionally, the FAMIS/Canopy fixed-asset record will be updated with the assigned registered number.
License to Operate
Effective Aug. 29, 2016, new pilot and operating rules are:
A person operating a small UAS must either hold a remote pilot airman certificate with a small UAS rating or be under the direct supervision of a person who does hold a remote pilot certificate (remote pilot in command). See information about getting started with UAFs.
Preparing for UAS Flights at Texas A&M University
In order to ensure safe and compliant drone use on university property and on university business, Texas A&M University has established University Rule, 24.01.07.M0.01, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), which delineates the requirements to oversee safe and compliant UAS activity on or above university property or on university business.
Due to our proximity to Easterwood Airport, campus properties are in stringently regulated/controlled airspace, which impacts all UAS operations and limits flight ceiling height. At this time, Texas A&M does not permit hobbyist or recreational UAS flights on university properties. Below are helpful links to UAS flight information at Texas A&M and to the online flight request form:
The university’s supervising authority (SA) committee meets monthly to consider application requests. UAS flight request applications must be submitted to the SA Committee for compliance review a minimum of 15 days prior to planned flight operations. Approvals are granted by the designated university SA. Any unapproved UAS/UAV flights are disruptive to university operations and will be referred for appropriate disciplinary action.
For further information on using UAS safely at Texas A&M, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Department at 979-845-2132 or visit the Unmanned Aerial Systems page on the Texas A&M Environmental Health and Safety website.