UAS Operations

The initial step to flying on Liberty University campus is for you, the remote pilot in command, to become certified.

As per the university UAS (or unmanned aerial systems) policy, all operators must become certified as an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot before flying on campus.

Becoming an FAA certified Remote Pilot under Part 107 means you will learn all about the federal rules & regulations governing drone operations (including approved airspace, altitudes, weather, operations, and more).

Learn about how to become an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot.

Need a testing center to take your FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot exam? Look no further!

Liberty University testing center is an approved testing site for FAA knowledge tests and offers a wide variety of exams, including the Part 107 Remote Pilot exam.

Learn about how to take your FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot exam here at Liberty University through the CASAS Testing Center.

Now that you are a certified pilot, it’s time to register your drone!

The Liberty University UAS policy requires all drones operating on campus to be registered with the FAA and visibly labeled with the designated registration number.

Learn how to register your drone with the FAA.

Liberty University School of Aeronautics has developed a UAS Training Evaluation process for newly certified pilots conducting drone operations for the university to maintain currency and proficiency.

The program will consist of 3-phases:

• • Ground Lesson
  • Quiz
  • Flight Evaluation

Upon successful completion of the UAS Training Evaluation, you will receive a Liberty University certificate of approval, validating your authorization as a Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) on Liberty campus.

The training is required annually, other than the evaluation flight itself, and the certificate is valid for one academic year. Each new academic year and upon reaching the deadline of your LU certificate, the UAS Training Evaluation process must be completed once again.

Learn about how to become enrolled in the UAS Training Evaluation program by sending us an email at: UASOperations@libety.edu

For the purpose of maintaining safety for students, workers, and bystanders, Liberty University has developed a drone policy for flying on campus.

The policy outlines specific permissions and restrictions for UAS operations. The policy also provides the appropriate contact information for requesting to fly on campus and if any questions or concerns arise during flight operations.

PLEAE NOTE: The Liberty University drone policy is not a suggested guideline, but mandatory operating limitations and procedures that will be enforced.

Please view and study the LU UAS Policy before operating on campus.

The next step is creating a Liberty University UAS Campus Operation Approval request.

The approval request will require information about the RPIC and details about the flight:

• • Name
  • Contact information
  • Certificate verifications
  • Areas of your flight, and
  • Purpose of your flight

Upon submission, the School of Aeronautics will evaluate your request. Your type of request will determine the amount of time it takes through the review process. The School of Aeronautics asks for a 24-hour notice of your flight request for optimal review time. Once reviewed, you will receive an authorization email in the address you provided in the original flight request.

The authorization email will display one of the following messages:

• • Flight Approved
  • Flight Approved with Restrictions (which will include your designated set of parameters in the email)
  • Flight Unauthorized

Please submit a flight request!

PLEASE NOTE: A new request must created and approved before each UAS flight on campus.

PLEASE NOTE: During certain planned or unplanned events occurring on campus, all UAS operations may be ceased or strictly limited, resulting in requests being denied or with heavy restrictions. 

With the considerable size of Liberty University grounds, all of Liberty’s main campus is located within a Class D or E controlled airspace, as seen in the image below:

Airspace is strategically designated and managed by the Federal Aviation Administration for aircraft operations. Before flying a drone within this controlled airspace, operators need to obtain permission to fly from the FAA. The process involves acquiring LAANC: Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability.

You can acquire LAANC through various FAA approved apps. The application is quite simple and takes but a few minutes to complete. Whenever operating on Liberty University campus within the FAA controlled airspace, LAANC approval is required.

Learn more about how LAANC operates and the steps for acquiring LAANC approvals to fly in controlled airspace.

PLEASE NOTE: A new LAANC request must be created and approved before each UAS flight on campus within the controlled airspace.

In order to remain safe and legal here on Liberty University campus, each department actively partners with our LU Police Department. When conducting drone operations at Liberty, each UAS operator is required to notify LUPD of his or her flight plan before each operation.

Please save the number listed below to your phone and call before each flight. After dialing the number, press 9 on the keypad to be directed to the correct office: (434) 592-7641

When calling LUPD please provide the following mandatory information:

• • Your first and Last Name
  • What you are doing (flying a drone)
  • Where you are flying the drone
  • How long you will be flying
  • That you have approval from the School of Aeronautics to fly on campus
  • Your LU ID Number

LUPD will record the information you provide for safety and tracking purposes. Please cooperate with LUPD if asked for any additional information.