An unmanned aircraft system is an unmanned aircraft and the equipment necessary for
the safe and efficient operation of that aircraft. An unmanned aircraft is a component
of a system—the UAS. It is defined by statute as an aircraft that is operated without
the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft (Public
Law 112-95, Section 331(8)).
Pilots may fly for non-recreational purposes without further FAA authorization if
they possess a small UAS rating certificate issued by the FAA, operate under the Part
107 regulations and receive approval through UNT Risk Management Services (RMS) by
submitting a UAS Use Permit Application. Find this application on our Forms page.
Drones must be properly registered with the FAA, weigh under 55 lbs, cannot exceed 100
mph groundspeed, stay under 400 feet AGL (above ground level), fly within Class G
airspace during the daytime and may not fly over people or otherwise pose a threat
to participants on the ground.
If your proposed UAS operation does not meet those requirements, the FAA has implemented
a case-by-case review process that may enable them. Please send an email to AskRMS@unt.edu if you would like to explore this option.
Students may fly a UAS for part of a class curriculum only with UNT RMS approval.
For classroom or educational activities, the professor or teaching assistant is required
to have a small drone license; the individual students are not. For guidance on how
to fly UAS for a class, contact UNT RMS.
Part 107 is the set of federal regulations that is an easier process for UAS flights.
It creates a new small drone operating license and simplified procedures for operating
a drone.
The remote pilot certificate with small UAS rating, Small Drone License, enables the
holder to operate a small drone for commercial purposes. Similar to a driver license,
this license will require the applicant to pass a knowledge test and pass a security
vetting. Additional information on the license can be found by reading more on the
Federal Aviation Administration's UAS web page.
The FAA provides a summary of the new rule, while the full text also is available.
The FAA will issue waivers/authorizations to certain requirements of Part 107 if an
applicant demonstrates they can fly safely under the waiver without endangering people
or property on the ground or in the air. Due to that most of UNT is within Class D
airspace, a COA is required for all commercial UAS operations.
The FAA will strive to review and issue decisions on waiver/authorization requests
within 90 days. Processing times will vary based on the complexity of your request.
https://www.faa.gov/uas/request_waiver/
Federal law requires that small unmanned aircraft weighing more than .55 pounds that
do not fly exclusively under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, be registered with
the FAA and marked with a registration number, either by registering online or by using the legacy paper-based registration process.
It must be registered using the FAA's paper-based registration process if it is not operated exclusively under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, (Section
336 of the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act).
If you complete registration using the web-based registration process and satisfy
the registration requirements, you may use a permanent marker, label, or engraving,
as long as the number remains affixed to the aircraft during routine handling and
all operating conditions and is readily accessible and legible upon close visual inspection.
Refer to this PDF for additional details.
Requirements for marking unmanned aircraft registered in accordance with the legacy
registration system can be found in 14 CFR Part 45, subpart C. Guidance material on aircraft marking requirements in Part 45 can be found in Advisory Circular No. 45-2E Identification and Registration Marking.
Failure to register an unmanned aircraft that is required to be registered may result in regulatory and criminal penalties. The FAA may assess civil penalties
up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment
for up to three years.
There is no one-size-fits-all enforcement action for violations. All aspects of a
violation will be considered, along with mitigating and aggravating circumstances
surrounding the violation. In general, the FAA will attempt to educate operators who
fail to comply with registration requirements. However, fines will remain an option
when egregious circumstances are present.
University of North Texas 
