INTRODUCTION
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governs the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, for all recreational, educational, and commercial use. FAA regulations include drone registration, pilot certification, and compliance with airspace restrictions. All University employees, students, and visitors must comply with FAA regulations and CSUN policy in order to operate a UAS on University property or at University sanctioned events.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT (NDAA OF 2024)
As a recipient of Federal grant funding, CSUN must be in compliance with NDAA 2024. This law bans the use of certain drones, including those made by DJI. Important points of this law include:
1. Starting December 2023, the federal government is prohibited from purchasing drones made in China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, or drones that use certain components made in those countries.
2. Starting December 2025, anyone receiving federal grant funding will also be prohibited from purchasing drones made in China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea or drones that use certain components made in those countries.
3. Starting December 2025, the government, as well as anyone receiving federal grant funding, are prohibited from operating drones made in those countries.
4. The ban is in place at least through December 2028.
You will find the full announcement from the CSU Chancellor's office with additional information on this document, along with recommendations for alternative drones.
RESOURCES
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
Code of Federal Regulations / Part 107: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
CSUN requires all UAS operators to obtain permission from the campus UAS Committee prior to any flight with a privately owned UAS, or any UAS owned by the University or its auxiliaries. This permission must be granted prior to any flight on University property, or at any University sanctioned events off-campus.
Access the registration and flight application forms through Environmental Health & Safety.
