I. Scope:
This policy applies to all George Mason University employees, students, contractors, volunteers, and visitors operating Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) on property owned, leased, or controlled by George Mason University.
II. Policy Statement:
George Mason University supports the safe use of UAS, also known as drones, for research, academic, and operational purposes. UAS may not be operated from, on, in or over university facilities or property without approval from Risk, Safety, & Resilience (RSR). Operation of UAS shall only be permitted once prior approval has been granted and when flight will not interfere with the academic enclave. Outdoor flights taking place on any university property must adhere to current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and university policy.
Authorization by the FAA to operate a UAS does not constitute permission from the university. Certificates of Authorization issued by the FAA to UAS operators shall only be used in accordance with the terms under which they were issued and in conjunction with university approval. Also, all FAA and university-authorized UAS operators will conduct flights following all applicable FAA regulations pertaining to the operations and certification of small UAS Title 14 CFR Part 107.
Pilots (Operators) of UAS on property owned, leased, or controlled by George Mason University must:
- Adhere to this policy
- Follow George Mason University’s Procedures to Operate Unmanned Aerial Systems On or From University Property
- Complete at UAS Flight Authorization Request for each Operational Session
- Appoint an Observer
- Complete an Unmanned Aerial System Flight Safety Checklist prior to each flight
UAS operations conducted by George Mason University Police Department or other public safety agencies in support of emergency or event/incident management, as well as indoor operations in a laboratory registered with Environmental Health and Safety, are exempt from the application requirements.
III. Definitions:
Observers: means individuals assigned by the Pilot to observe the perimeter of the active flight environment and its surroundings.
Operational Session: means a 24-hour timeframe during which at least one UAS flight is attempted or completed. Multiple consecutive flights in the same location over the course of several hours, but not more than 24 consecutive hours, qualify as a single operational session.
Pilot: means any individual(s) that operates or controls the drone before, during, and after operation.
Unmanned Aerial System (UAS): means unmanned aircraft and all associated support equipment, control station, data links, telemetry, communications and navigation equipment, etc., necessary to operate the unmanned aircraft.
IV. Responsibilities:
Risk, Safety, & Resilience is responsible for the implementation and oversight of this policy. Individuals will follow the published procedures governing the implementation of this policy.
V. Compliance:
Faculty, staff, and students found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to corrective or disciplinary actions in accordance with university Standards of Conduct.
VI. Timetable for Review:
This policy, and any related procedures, shall be reviewed every two years.
VII. Amendments:
Amendments will be approved by the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and the Provost and Executive Vice President.
VIII. Dates:
Approved and effective: April 4, 2017
Revised: August 24, 2026