Educational and Research Operations Included in 'Recreational Purpose'

In plain language

Educational and research flights by schools, universities, JROTC programmes and CBO-chartered educational programmes count as 'recreational purpose' for the limited recreational rules in 49 U.S.C. 44809. It is a scope definition, not a duty.

Requirement as structured

For the purposes of 49 U.S.C. 44809, a 'recreational purpose' as distinguished in subsection (a)(1) of that section shall include an unmanned aircraft system operated by an institution of higher education for educational or research purposes; operated by an elementary school, a secondary school or an institution of higher education for educational or research purposes; flown as part of an established Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program for education or research purposes; or flown as part of an educational program chartered by a recognized community-based organization (as defined in 44809(h)).

Original regulatory text

"(a) Educational and Research Purposes .—For the purposes of section 44809 of title 49, United States Code, as added by this Act, a 'recreational purpose' as distinguished in subsection (a)(1) of such section shall include an unmanned aircraft system— "(1) operated by an institution of higher education for educational or research purposes; "(2) operated by an elementary school, a secondary school, or an institution of higher education for educational or research purposes; "(3) flown as part of an established Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program for education or research purposes; or "(4) flown as part of an educational program that is chartered by a recognized community-based organization (as defined in subsection (h) of such section).

Applies when

country

United States

operation

Part 107 small UAS operation

operation regime

part_107

aircraft category

small unmanned aircraft (under 55 lb)

regulatory category

General