Purchase and use of Unmanned Air Systems (Drones)

The operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones, is subject to regulation by the Federal Aviation Administration and may pose safety, security and privacy risks. Accordingly, Yale University regulates UAS flights from/on University property and/or in connection with University activities on or off campus. All UAS operations require prior approval from Yale Environmental Health and Safety and the Office of Risk Management and must be conducted in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations, as well as any additional requirements imposed by Environmental Health and Safety.

The Unmanned Aerial System Use Policy sets forth the steps that members of the Yale community should follow when seeking to fly an UAS and explains the operating restrictions of the flight. Flight requests must be completed by submitting an Unmanned Air System Flight Request Form. Purchasing Unmanned Aerial Systems also requires pre-order approval by Yale Environmental Health and Safety according to the Purchasing Policy 3201.5 Purchase of Restricted Goods and Services.

For more information, see Unmanned Air Systems on the EHS website. If you have any questions, please contact ehs@yale.edu.