They hover over football games and marching band performances. Media classes use them as part a school television show or other productions. The maintenance department could use them to inspect buildings and grounds. Drones have even become part of the curriculum.
But not every school welcomes drones on campus. Many school boards have adopted policies banning unmanned aircraft and more are considering them. And there are good reasons to be cautious about using drones: they can fall out of the sky and injure people or property, can be used to take pictures illegally, and are generally not covered under standard insurance.
Even if a school doesn’t want to ban drones, its board should weigh in on the matter. Adopting a policy requiring approval before a drone is used on campus and detailing operating procedures can help limit the risk of flying a drone.
Those operating procedures might include the following safety measures:
- Don’t fly the drone more than 400 feet above the ground;
- Keep the drone within the operator’s line of sight;
- Do not operate the drone within 5 miles of an airport;
- Avoid flying over areas where people have congregated;
- Do not fly the drone at night;
- Do not fly the drone within 25 feet of another person; and
- Take off and land from a designated area free of people.
For more information on the risks associated with drone use and risk management considerations, take a look at our blog Drone Use: What Are The Risks?
