Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are aircraft that can be controlled remotely by a controller, or by preprogrammed plans or automation systems that enable them to fly autonomously with the ability to reach remote areas without a pilot. Initially designed and developed for military purposes, drone technology has become more affordable and is now used by various industries and organizations including higher education.

Request approval to operate a drone.

All personnel, including faculty, staff, students and third parties (contractors) wishing to operate drones on Penn State property, or as part of a Penn State activity must go through the proper channels to request approval. Drone operations are not permitted until approval is granted by the central Drone Operations Team within the Office for Research Protections (Email [email protected] | 814-865-1775). Please submit your request to fly at least one week in advance.

See more on the procedures to fly.

I want to fly a drone. Where do I begin?

Are you interested in flying a drone but don’t know where to begin? Check out the Drone Operations Getting Started guide.

Can I fly a drone on a Penn State campus?

Yes, but only if approval is granted by the central Drone Operations Team within the Office for Research Protections. Such approval is at the sole discretion of the University.

This applies to Penn State students, faculty, staff and third parties. 

Submit a request to fly a drone.

Please submit your request to fly at least one week in advance.

Are there specific requirements for using a drone on PSU property or elsewhere for PSU Affiliated Activities?

Yes. Anyone using a drone, for any purpose, regardless of the size of the Drone or whether the mission is being conducted indoors or outdoors, must abide by University Policy SY45: Use of Drones, as well as the applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization.

Is there any required training before operating a drone?

All pilots must complete the required training on Canvas. In addition to completing the online training modules in Canvas, Penn State employees and students will need to demonstrate their qualifications with one of our standardized pilots. Review the SOP on Training and Qualification Requirements for additional information.

What will I need before I can request permission to fly a drone?

All personnel, including faculty, staff, students and third parties (contractors) wishing to operate drones on Penn State property, Penn State-affiliated property, or as part of a Penn State activity must go through the proper channels to request approval. Drone operations are not permitted until approval is granted by the central Drone Operations Team within the Office for Research Protections.

Please submit your request to fly at least one week in advance.

Submit request to fly

There will be a number of items that will be needed as part of your submission (see list below). Please do not email these items, rather, upload them into our Drones RSS system as part of your request to fly.

  • Copy of Part 107 Certificate (applies to PSU & 3rd parties)
  • Copy of Drone Registration Card (applies to PSU & 3rd parties). Reference: SOP for Registering a Penn State-owned Drone
  • USAIG UAV Vehicle Questionnaire if the vehicle has not yet been added to Penn State's fleet of insured (applies to PSU only)  Contact [email protected] to request.
  • Approval to Use Site/Location (applies to PSU & 3rd parties)
  • Letter from department verifying flight mission falls within employment responsibilities (applies to PSU students who are flying for purposes that fall within employment responsibilities)
  • PSU employee must be onsite to supervise (applies to PSU students flying for research or education purposes)
  • Evidence of Insurance (3rd parties only). Reference: 3. Insurance Requirements in the SOP
  • Unit Sponsor Letter (3rd parties only; email is sufficient)
  • Film Agreement (3rd parties only - required if taking photos or videos)
  • Indemnification Agreement (3rd parties only - required if NOT taking photos or videos)

Who can I contact at Penn State Scranton about flying a Drone?

When your flight is approved, the campus contact is informed. The campus contact can also address any questions you may have.

The campus contact is Marilee Mulvey, Director of Information technology at Penn State Scranton. Email: [email protected] Phone: 570-963-2552