Whether you are a unit on campus wishing to hire a drone pilot to film marketing footage or a student who wants to fly their personal drone for a University research project, here is what you'll need to do before any flying happens!  In all cases, please reach out to Jeremy or Bart (contact info at bottom of page) for any questions.  We're here to help!

Please submit documentation here.  This includes FAA UAS registration, FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot License, and Certificate of Liability Insurance (if not affiliated with UM).

Everyone will also need to consider

• University Brand guidelines
• University property use

I am a Part 107 pilot without UM affiliation

Current FAA Part 107 pilots who are not faculty/staff/students of UM who wish to fly on campus for any non-hobbyist activities, need to do the following:

• Contact AASO (aaso@umt.edu, or use contact information at bottom of this page) to discuss your flight plan and risk management measures
• Provide AASO with a copy of your current Part 107 certificate/license
• Provide AASO with a Certificate of Insurance with University of Montana listed as additional insured. The State of Montana requires a $2 million liability policy
• If you plan to fly at one of the Campus Recreation fields, you will need to contact Brian Fruit to fill out a request form, which may require a fee if your flight is not for a UM-related activity
• Call UM Police (243-6131) and inform them of your plans and that you have been in contact with AASO
• We strongly recommend a Visual Observer

I am a Part 107 pilot and am UM faculty/staff/student

• Contact AASO (aaso@umt.edu, or use contact information at bottom of this page) to discuss your flight plan and risk management measures
• If you are planning to fly a personal UAS (one not owned by the University), UM needs to lease your UAS in order to properly insure your activity under the University's liability insurance policy.  The process of leasing your personal UAS may take up to two weeks, so start early 
• Provide AASO with a copy of your current Part 107 certificate/license
• UM related activities are covered by the University's liability insurance policy
• If you plan to fly at one of the Campus Recreation fields, you will need to contact Brian Fruit to fill out a request form
• Call UM Police (243-6131) and inform them of your plans and that you have been in contact with AASO
• We strongly recommend a Visual Observer

I work for UM and we want to hire a drone pilot

If you work for UM and you want some drone footage, you can hire an external Part 107 pilot or you can hire one of AASO's Part 107 pilots.  If you are doing anything for marketing, for example, per FAA regulations you must use a Part 107 pilot and not a hobbyist (e.g. your neighbor kid with their drone).

• Contact AASO (aaso@umt.edu, or use contact information at bottom of this page) to discuss your plans
• If hiring an external Part 107 pilot/company, refer them to the above list of requirements and put them in contact with Jeremy or Bart

I do not have a Part 107 license

If you wish to fly as a hobbyist, for recreational purposes only, please contact our office to discuss your plans. Safety is our top concern!  

• We strongly recommend a Visual Observer
• If you plan to fly at one of the Campus Recreation fields, you will need to contact Brian Fruit to fill out a request form.  If your activity is not UM related, there may be a charge for the use of the fields
• Call UM Police (243-6131) and inform them of your plans and that you have been in contact with AASO

If you are doing anything for marketing or research, for example, per FAA regulations you must use a Part 107 pilot or obtain a Part 107 certification for yourself.

• Contact us and we can assist you in finding a Part 107 pilot, or
• If you'd like to obtain your own Part 107 license, you can self-study or find an online course. The FAA website provides a multitude of resources including a study guide and many sample test questions.