Complete the Drone Application 

Drone operations are strictly prohibited over the campus or inside campus buildings, except when approved by EH&S (see Drone Safety Policy for details).

• Departments and individuals who want to purchase and/or use a drone, or hire a contractor to perform drone activity, shall:
1. Familiarize themselves with FAA requirements and guidelines.
2. Submit a Drone Application and obtain approval from EH&S.
3. Complete all FAA requirements (i.e. aircraft registration, pilot certification, drone labeling, recurrent training etc.), as required.
4. Obtain required insurance, when required.
5. Operate the drone in accordance with FAA regulations and guidelines, the requirements outlined in the Drone Safety policy, and as stipulated in the approval from EH&S.

FAA Drone Homepage

FAA Drone Registration 

FAA Pilot Airman Certificate 

Read the full Drone Policy here.

• The increasing use of drones for commercial operations and private use can pose threats to the safety of others, such as injury to people, unwanted surveillance, interference with public events, collisions with other aircraft, damage to critical infrastructures and property, and threats to wildlife.
• The Drone Safety policy recognizes the beneficial use of drones for academic and research programs, commercial applications to support the strategic objectives, and emergency operations.
• The Drone Safety policy also addresses the safety, security and privacy concerns of people, facilities and operations, and to ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.Policy Key Points:
• • • The purchase or use of an UAS in connection with any University activity must be reviewed and approved by the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S).
    • UAS operations are strictly prohibited over the campus or inside campus buildings, except under the following circumstances, when approved by EH&S.
      1. Operations deemed to be necessary to support the mission of the Stony Brook University academic, research and medical programs.
      2. Operations that are essential to an administrative, business, facility maintenance, police, fire or emergency function of the University.
      3. Students who are members of a Stony Brook club or program that is directly related to flying UAS (e.g. Innovation Lab, RC Flying Club, etc.), may request to fly their UAS “For Fun” at a designated location at the R&D Park.
      4. Hobby or recreational use of UAS by others is not permitted.
    • To limit the number of individuals flying drones on campus, Marketing and Communications can assist departments and groups who are looking to obtain aerial drone videography or photography.
    • The Policy establishes responsibilities and requirements for drone operations on campus, including:
    1. Submit a Drone Application and obtain approval from EH&S.
    2. Complete all FAA requirements (i.e. aircraft registration, pilot certification, drone labeling, recurrent training etc.), as required.
    3. Obtain required insurance, when required.
    4. Operate the drone in accordance with FAA regulations and guidelines, the requirements outlined in this policy, and as stipulated in the approval from EH&S.