Unmanned Aerial/Aircraft Systems (UAS) - Drones
If you want to fly a drone or other unmanned aerial/aircraft systems (UAS) on property owned by SIUE or off-campus for University business, you must obtain permission. SIUE’s policy outlines permitted uses, including recreational and hobby. See below for more specific information. Also see the Drones FAQs.
Flying a Drone for University-Related Activities
To fly a drone or other UAS on property owned by SIUE or for University business anywhere in the world, you must first do the following before any flights occur.
- Obtain SIUE approval by completing and submitting the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Application form or the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Use Application for Indoor Use Only Form located here.
- If the drone is not yet registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), complete and submit the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Registration Form. Small UAS Registration is valid for three years. Please contact researchcompliance@siue.edu if you need to renew your certificate of registration. **Registration of University purchased drones must be done by SIUE and not yourself.
- Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge exam at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center and submit the certificate along with the completed UAV and UAS forms.
Become a certified drone/UAS pilot.
The nearest testing center to SIUE is:
Southwestern Illinois College
4950 Maryville Rd.
Granite City, IL
(618)931-0600
If you have previously taken and passed the Part 107 Pilot's exam, you can now take the recertification every two years for free online! For more information, check out the FAA courses webpage and look for the ALC-677: Part 107 Small UAS Recurrent Non-Part 61 Pilots course.
Note: As part of the drone registration process, Export Controls will determine the export control classification of the equipment. For more information on drone classification, please click here.
Flying a Drone Indoors
Indoor flights may only occur in the mezzanine areas of the First Community Arena.
Indoor flights must be scheduled with the Manager of Sports Facilities, Eric Crist, via email at ecrist@siue.edu. Submit an application by clicking here. You will need to upload a confirmation email from Eric Crist listing the approved flight time(s) before you can submit your application.
Obtaining Approval
Note: Allow five business days for review and processing. To obtain University approval to fly a drone, complete and submit all required forms through the online application. The online application can be accessed by clicking here. The application uses progressive display to determine which forms are required, including:
- SIUE Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Registration Form
- SIUE Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Use Application Form, or the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Use Application Form for Indoor Use Only Form (include indoor scheduling confirmation email with Eric Crist)
- UAS Pilot/Operator Qualifications Form
Flying a Drone for Hobby or Recreational Activities
To fly a drone or other UAS for recreational activities not associated with SIUE business, see section III of University Policy 6F4. To fill out the required Facility Use License Agreement, please click here and choose that this application is for “Recreational Use.”
All recreational flyers are required to pass the FAA's Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) before flying. Testing information and the FAA approved test administrators of TRUST can be found here. Under 49 U.S.C. §44809, proof of test passage must be made available to the FAA or law enforcement upon request.
