Drones and other Unmanned Aerial Systems
Drones, rockets and weather balloons are important tools in research and STEM education activities. Whether you're a novice pilot or have many years of aviation experience, regulations, rules and safety guidance exist to help you fly safely in the National Airspace System (NAS). In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates aspects of civil aviation. Anyone flying a drone, launching a rocket or releasing a weather balloon is responsible for flying within Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines and regulations.
Prior to conducting aerial activities outdoors for non-recreational use (i.e., educational use, research activities and university business operations) over campus property, the individual, campus unit, or other group must obtain approval from the Division of Public Safety by submitting a flight request.
Prior to conducting aerial activities inside campus property, the individual, campus unit, or other group must obtain approval from Code Compliance & Fire Safety, at fandscodefire@illinois.edu, in addition to obtaining facility approval. Indoor flights not in designated drone labs must use engineering controls to create a confined flight area for the drone. The Office of Safety has a limited number of drone tents available for loan to be used with indoor drone flights.
Check the weather in Urbana for the upcoming week here: National Weather Service IDSS Forecast Points.
Specific guidance for select aerial activities can be found below and general guidance for all aerial activities can be found in the Campus Administrative Manual.
Guidance for UAS (drone) Operations
Guidance for UAS (drone) operations can be found in the DRS Drone Safety Training.
Guidance for a Weather Balloon Launch
High altitude balloons (colloquially referred to as "weather balloons") are important tools in atmospheric science research and STEM education activities. Although High Altitude Balloon (HAB) launches can be fun and educational, care must be taken to abide by the governing laws and regulations to ensure the safety of aircraft flying in the same airspace and those that may be impacted by the launch and landing of HABs.
Campus Specific Requirements
To maintain the safety of our entire campus community, university policy (FO-05) requires that all HAB operators first obtain permission from the Division of Public Safety before launching them on campus property.
Submit a request now.
Researchers must maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specific to their HAB operation. All incidents and near-misses involving HABs in a research setting should be reported to the Division of Research Safety at 217-333-2755 or drs@illinois.edu.
Bodily injury or property damage resulting from the use of a University-owned HAB being utilized for University purposes should be reported to the Office of Claims Management.
FAA Requirements
The relevant FAA regulation for weather balloons is section 14 CFR Part 101.
PART 101—MOORED BALLOONS, KITES, AMATEUR ROCKETS, AND UNMANNED FREE BALLOONS
In the Federal Aviation regulations, weather balloons are referred to as Unmanned Free Balloons or UFBs. UFB launch operators are responsible for the safety of any airspace in the trajectory of their UFB. Winds can take UFBs into controlled airspace. Bear in mind that the university is within 5 miles of an airport (Willard Airport/CMI).
Prior to launching a UFB, launch operators must contact the FAA Part 101 team and inform them of your intent to launch at least 15 days before launch. The FAA Part 101 team have air traffic specialists that are in the best position to advise launch operators, and so contacting the FAA ahead of time is critical. They will typically ask UFB operators to perform one or more of the following:
- Fill out a form called a HIBAL worksheet, provided by the FAA Part 101 team. On this form, it is critical to designate a knowledgeable point-of-contact and provide an e-mail address and cellphone number so Part 101 specialists or air traffic control can reach them. The form also asks for launch date, site, balloon and payload information.
- Submit an estimated trajectory map. As UFB trajectory is wind-dependent, FAA will ask for updated maps as the launch date approaches. Here is a tool to predict the flight path and landing location of latex sounding balloons: https://predict.sondehub.org/
- Call-in a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions). FAA Part 101 team will provide instructions on filing a NOTAM if necessary.
- Coordinate with airports in the vicinity of launch, and other airports in the trajectory of the UFB. FAA will inform the point-of-contact of air-traffic facilities that need to be coordinated with by providing their email addresses or phone numbers.
Important contacts:
FAA Part 101 team
Willard Airport Air Traffic Control: Jim Melchior
Guidance for Model Rocket Launches
Model rocket launches may be a part of special events and STEM education activities. Although model rocket launches can be fun and educational, care must be taken to abide by the governing laws and regulations to ensure the safety of those that may be impacted by the launch and landing of model rockets.
Campus Specific Requirements
To maintain the safety of our entire campus community, university policy requires that all model rocket launchers obtain permission from Campus Code Compliance & Fire Safety (CCC&FS) and facility location approval before launching on campus property.
Model Rocket Launching Application (CCC&FS)
Reserve an Outdoor Space
Model rocket launchers must maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specific to their launch operation. SOPs should describe how you will ensure you will meet all of the relevant campus requirements and relevant regulations and standards.
Standards and Regulations
The relevant FAA regulation for model rockets is 14 CFR Part 101 Subpart C. Here you will find the definition of a Class 1—Model Rocket, the only type of model rocket that will be considered for approval and general operating limitations for Class 1 model rockets.
The relevant National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards are NFPA 1122 Code for Model Rocketry. NPFA 1122 includes information about model rocket construction, launch, and recovery as well as launch site selection, launch conditions, and spectator safety.
Prior to launching a model rocket you must review, understand, and plan to comply with the relevant standards and regulations.