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Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Sam Houston State University has established an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Advisory Committee (UASAC) to ensure UAS/UAV’s operated on behalf of SHSU meet all state, federal, safety, institutional, ethical, and community standards and requirements related to research.

Vision

A world where unmanned aircraft systems are safely and responsibly used to improve lives.

Mission

To develop university policy governing research involving UAS while ensuring that activities involving UAS are safe, responsible, and legally complies with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

 

Goals

  • Serve as the oversight committee that reviews requests from individual researchers whose research will involve UAS.
  • Monitor the FAA and other state and federal regulations regarding UAS to ensure that the University is up-to-date all current UAS legislation.
  • Review complaints from individuals who allege that studies conducted at the University have been in violation of University policy on research with UAS.
  • Provide training and education to University researchers interested in utilizing UAS technology in their research.
  • Recommends policy or procedures pertaining to UAS operations in research to the University’s Office of the President.
  • Conduct safe, efficient, effective operations in support of our mission.


IMPORTANT UPDATE

Texas State University System (TSUS) policy prohibits the purchase and/or use of technologies and/or manufacturers of technologies listed on the Department of Information Resources (DIR) Prohibited Technologies website as required by Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s December 7, 2022 directive to all Texas state agencies. Sam Houston State University, as a TSUS member institution, must comply with this System policy.

The UAS committee has identified SZ DJI, the maker of DJI drones, on the DIR Prohibited Technologies list. As these drones are now prohibited from purchase and use, effective immediately the UAS committee will not approve flight requests using DJI drones nor the SHSU purchase of DJI drones. The committee recommends, and can assist with, identifying an alternate manufacturer.

For more information, please see the SHSU Prohibited Technologies website.

Resources

Follow the links below to open:

For questions, issues, or concerns regarding the process for obtaining approval for use of an UAS, please contact the following individuals:

Sharla Miles, Coordinator, UAS Committee
Phone: 936.294.4875

UAS Committee Members

Haley Carter - Committee Chair

Chris Standerfer

Mark Shiflet

Art Wolfskill

Paul Morris

Mauri Smith

Steven Frey

Ex-officio Member: Chad Hargrave

FAA and Federal Regulations 

The FAA is requiring UAS registration. All owners of small UAS weighing more than 250 grams (0.55 lbs.) and less than 55 lbs. must register using this new system. For all other UAS, registration is required prior to operation. Click here to register and learn more about.

State of Texas Laws

Please download and review them.

Online Resources

  • Don’t Fly UAS Here: This No-Fly Zones map represent where it is not recommended to fly UAS due to regulations. It is not comprehensive.
  • UAS Law Journal