天天吃瓜's College of Aeronautics and Engineering has achieved a significant milestone in advanced air mobility research, receiving a specialized Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waiver for drone operations over people and moving vehicles. This waiver positions 天天吃瓜 State at the forefront of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) innovation and research.
Under current FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 107), drone operations are strictly limited to visual line of sight and are prohibited from flying over people or moving vehicles without special authorization. These restrictions are designed to protect public safety. The FAA requires an extensive evaluation process before granting waivers that allow certified pilots to conduct such operations, reviewing detailed safety protocols and risk mitigation strategies.
Secured through the efforts of aviation law specialist Jason Lorenzon, Esq., and his student research team, including aerospace engineering sophomore Emily Lorenzon, aerospace engineering senior Jaden Lepp, and professional pilot senior Reilly Ferrie, the waiver enables the college to conduct unprecedented drone research and operations on campus.
"This waiver represents a crucial step forward in our mission to advance air mobility technology while maintaining the highest safety standards," said Jason Lorenzon, a board-certified specialist in aviation law and assistant professor in the College. "It demonstrates our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in aerospace education and research."
The College of Aeronautics and Engineering will begin conducting authorized drone flights over people and vehicles in the coming weeks and months on the 天天吃瓜 State campus. These operations will be strictly controlled and performed exclusively by authorized faculty and students under the waiver's specific conditions.
Community members should note that while they may observe drone operations over populated areas and roadways, these flights are conducted under strict FAA oversight and safety protocols. Only designated 天天吃瓜 State personnel operating under this specific waiver have permission to conduct such flights.
The waiver will support various research initiatives at the university. Researchers will focus on developing comprehensive safety protocols for urban air mobility while conducting advanced flight testing and data collection. The program will explore methods for integrating unmanned aircraft into populated areas and provide hands-on training opportunities for future aviation professionals in advanced drone operations.
This achievement aligns with the mission of 天天吃瓜 State's Center for Advanced Air Mobility, led by Rub茅n Del Rosario, Ph.D., director and professor, which focuses on fostering research, testing and development in advanced air mobility technologies. The data collected through these waiver-authorized flights will directly contribute to informing future rulemaking and policy decisions for the emerging aviation industry at both local and national levels. As a prominent hub for expertise in advanced air mobility, the Center leverages strategic partnerships to create unique workforce development opportunities in this rapidly growing field.
"This process has been an incredible journey, offering deep insights into the UAS industry and the regulatory framework of the FAA,鈥 said Emily Lorenzon. 鈥淲hile working on these projects has been rewarding, the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams and institutions has been truly extraordinary. The exchange of ideas with other professionals and students has elevated our efforts and reinforced the importance of collaboration in advancing UAS technology.鈥
This is particularly notable given the selective nature of the FAA waiver process. 鈥淎ccording to industry data, only a staggering 3% of waiver applications for operations over people receive FAA approval," said Ferrie, who played a key role in the application process. "This approval demonstrates where 天天吃瓜 State stands in this industry and opens many doors for the growth of our program. We're helping lay the groundwork for a rapidly developing unmanned aircraft program that will soon be at the forefront of advanced air mobility."
The College emphasizes that all drone operations will be conducted with safety as the primary consideration, following strict protocols and risk mitigation strategies developed in compliance with FAA requirements.
For more information about 天天吃瓜 State's drone research programs or to learn more about upcoming flight operations, please contact Jason Lorenzon.