FAA Drone Committee

Researchers at San Diego State University (SDSU) and San Diego State University Research Foundation (SDSURF) are required to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations while conducting research for SDSU or SDSURF. The FAA has guidelines and regulations regarding drones or other Unmanned Aerial Systems* (UAS). More information about these regulations and the FAA’s guidelines, are available under the “Resources” and "Guidance" sections.

In order to ensure compliance with the FAA’s regulations, researchers at SDSU and SDSURF are required to submit an application regarding their drone or other UAS use to the SDSU FAA Drone Committee. The FAA Drone Committee application, which can be found under “How to Apply” and at the following link https://sdsu.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1761770, is required for all faculty and staff using drones or UAS in their research at SDSU or SDSURF. A new application must be filled out per research project using drones. Researchers currently using drones or other UAS in their research may continue their research activities while awaiting committee approval.

*Examples of UAS or drones include Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPV), Unmanned Aircraft (UA), Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), Remote helicopters (including quadcopters, hexacopters, octocopters, etc.). UAS includes the unmanned aircraft and associated elements, including communication links and components that control the unmanned aircraft, required for the pilot-in-command to operate the UAS safely and efficiently.