Flying Drones for Schools: Educational Use Exemptions Under Part 107

Drones in Education: Transforming Learning and STEM Engagement

Educational institutions from elementary schools through universities increasingly incorporate drones into curricula, recognizing their value for teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts. However, flying drones in educational settings requires careful navigation of FAA regulations that distinguish between recreational, educational, and commercial operations. Understanding when exemptions apply, what compliance requirements exist, and how to structure programs safely and legally is essential for educators developing drone programs.

The educational value of drones extends beyond learning to fly. Students engage with physics principles through flight dynamics, practice engineering design by building and modifying aircraft, develop coding skills through autonomous programming, and apply mathematical concepts to flight planning and data analysis. Done properly, educational drone programs create hands-on learning experiences that dramatically increase student engagement while teaching critical 21st-century skills.

Educational Exemptions and When They Apply

The Recreational Flying Exception

The Exception for Recreational Flyers (codified as 49 USC 44809) allows flying drones without Part 107 certification when operations are purely recreational. Some educational programs attempt to leverage this exception, but critical limitations apply.

Recreational exception requirements include:

Flying strictly for hobby or recreational purposes
Operating under a community-based organization’s safety guidelines
Passing The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Maintaining visual line of sight
Yielding right-of-way to manned aircraft
Operating in accordance with or requesting authorization in controlled airspace
Registering drones over 250 grams

When the recreational exception applies to education:

After-school drone clubs operating purely for student enjoyment
Informal flying during recess or free time without structured learning objectives
Personal student projects outside assigned coursework
Voluntary participation activities with no academic credit or assessment

When the recreational exception does NOT apply:

Graded coursework or activities contributing to academic evaluation
Required curriculum components students must complete
Activities generating data or content used for institutional purposes
Demonstrations at school events showcasing programs to parents or funders
Any flying in furtherance of the school’s mission or operations

The FAA has clarified that educational activities directly connected to curricula, assessment, or institutional objectives constitute non-recreational use requiring Part 107 compliance.

Educational Research Exemptions

Universities and research institutions conducting drone-related research may operate under limited exemptions or waivers. However, these apply narrowly to specific research projects, not general educational programs. Research exemptions require demonstrating that:

Operations are necessary for research purposes
Equivalent safety levels to Part 107 are maintained
Research could not be conducted under standard Part 107 rules
Public interest is served by the research

Most educational programs cannot meet these criteria and should not rely on research exemptions.

Part 107 Requirements for School Programs

Educational drone programs integrated into curricula generally must comply with Part 107 commercial regulations.

Who Needs Part 107 Certification?

The remote pilot in command during flight operations must hold a Part 107 certificate. For school programs, this typically means:

Teachers operating drones: Must obtain Part 107 certificates before conducting classroom demonstrations or supervising students
Students operating drones: Students under 16 cannot obtain Part 107 certificates; those 16+ can earn certificates but most educational programs don’t require this
Practical approach: Teachers serve as certified remote pilots in command while students operate under direct supervision

Operational Requirements

School drone programs must follow all Part 107 operational rules:

Maximum altitude 400 feet AGL
Visual line of sight operations
Operations only during daylight or civil twilight with anti-collision lighting
Yielding right-of-way to manned aircraft
No operations from moving vehicles
Maximum groundspeed 100 mph
Careful operations over people (typically Category 1 or 3 compliance in educational settings)
Controlled airspace operations only with authorization (LAANC or airspace waiver)

Remote Pilot in Command Responsibilities

The certificated teacher serving as remote pilot in command must:

Maintain ultimate control authority over the drone
Ensure all operations comply with Part 107
Conduct pre-flight inspections and safety assessments
Make go/no-go decisions about flight operations
Supervise student operators to prevent unsafe operations
Take immediate control if students operate unsafely
Report accidents meeting FAA thresholds

This can be challenging in classroom settings with multiple students wanting to fly. Effective programs limit simultaneous operations to numbers the certificated pilot can safely supervise—typically 1-3 drones depending on environment and student skill levels.

TRUST Test for Recreational Educational Flying

When educational activities qualify as recreational (after-school clubs, voluntary activities), participants must pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST).

What TRUST Covers

TRUST is a free online course and test covering:

Applicable regulations and airspace restrictions
Operating safely in the National Airspace System
Proper flight preparation procedures
Awareness of community-based safety guidelines
Respect for privacy and security

Taking TRUST

The test is available through FAA-approved test administrators including:

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)
Pilot Institute
DroneZone (FAA)
Trust Pilots
Various other approved providers

Students as young as elementary age can complete TRUST with parental assistance. The test takes approximately 30-45 minutes and participants receive immediate electronic proof of completion.

TRUST in Educational Programs

Schools operating recreational drone clubs should:

Require all participating students to complete TRUST
Maintain records of TRUST completion certificates
Ensure students understand they must carry proof of completion during operations
Integrate TRUST content into program orientation
Use TRUST as a baseline, adding school-specific safety training

Liability and Insurance for Schools

Educational drone programs create potential liability exposures requiring careful risk management.

Liability Risks

Schools face liability for:

Student injuries: Propeller strikes, crashes, other operational accidents
Bystander injuries: Injuries to non-participating students, staff, or visitors
Property damage: Damage to school property, vehicles, or neighboring property
Privacy violations: Inappropriate recording of individuals
Supervisory negligence: Inadequate oversight leading to accidents

Insurance Coverage

Verify that existing school insurance covers drone operations:

General liability: Confirm drones aren’t excluded from coverage
Coverage limits: Ensure adequate limits for potential drone incidents
Educational activities endorsement: Specific coverage for instructional programs
Equipment coverage: Protection for damaged or stolen drones

Many schools’ existing policies exclude or limit aviation activities. Options include:

Obtaining aviation endorsements to existing policies
Purchasing standalone drone liability insurance
Working with specialized educational insurance providers familiar with drone programs

Typical coverage ranges from $1-5 million in liability protection, with annual premiums of $500-2,000 depending on program size and scope.

Waivers and Consent Forms

While liability waivers have limited legal effectiveness for minors, schools should still obtain:

Parental consent forms: Informing parents of drone program activities and risks
Photo/video release forms: Authorization to record students during activities
Acknowledgment of rules: Students and parents acknowledge program safety rules
Medical information: Disclosure of conditions that might affect participation

Curriculum Integration Ideas

Drones provide versatile teaching tools across multiple disciplines.

Science Applications

Physics: Forces of flight, Newton’s laws, energy and momentum
Weather: Wind effects on flight, atmospheric conditions, meteorology
Environmental science: Aerial surveys, habitat monitoring, conservation applications
Biology: Wildlife observation without disturbance, nest monitoring
Earth science: Topography mapping, erosion studies, geological formations

Technology and Engineering

Coding and programming: Autonomous flight programming, mission planning
Robotics: Sensors, control systems, feedback loops
CAD and design: Modeling components, designing modifications
Electrical systems: Batteries, motors, electronic speed controllers
Build projects: Assembling drones from kits or scratch

Mathematics

Geometry: Flight paths, angles, spatial relationships
Trigonometry: Calculating distances and heights from imagery
Data analysis: Processing flight logs, analyzing performance data
Statistics: Battery life analysis, flight time optimization
Scale and measurement: Photogrammetry, area calculations from aerial imagery

Arts and Humanities

Photography and videography: Composition, editing, storytelling
Geography: Mapping, spatial analysis, GIS integration
History: Historical site documentation, archaeological applications
English/Writing: Technical writing, flight plans, documentation
Ethics: Privacy, responsible use, societal impacts

Career and Technical Education

Aviation careers: Pathways to professional drone operations
Agriculture: Precision agriculture applications
Construction: Site surveying, progress monitoring
Public safety: Emergency response applications
Media production: Aerial filming for commercial purposes

Safety Protocols for Student Operations

Comprehensive safety procedures are essential for educational programs.

Pre-Flight Procedures

Weather assessment: Students check conditions and make go/no-go decisions
Airspace verification: Confirm operations are authorized in current location
Site survey: Identify hazards, obstacles, and people
Equipment inspection: Systematic pre-flight checklists
Communication plan: Establish who is pilot, visual observer, and safety officer

Operational Safety Rules

Designated flying areas: Specific locations approved for operations
Safety perimeters: No unauthorized people within designated distances
Altitude restrictions: Often lower than 400 feet for student operations
Line of sight maintenance: Visual contact at all times
Emergency procedures: Practiced responses to equipment failures
Landing protocols: Clear communications before landing

Behavioral Expectations

No horseplay or distraction of active pilots
Professional attitude and focus during operations
Immediate cessation of flight upon instructor command
Honest reporting of mistakes or close calls
Respect for equipment and proper handling

Progressive Skill Development

Structure programs with skill progression:

Ground school: Regulations, safety, basic aerodynamics before any flying
Simulator training: Practice controls in zero-risk environment
Tethered flight: Indoor flying with physical tether limiting range
Hover practice: Basic control in stable hover
Basic maneuvers: Controlled movements in designated patterns
Advanced operations: Mission-based flights after demonstrated proficiency

Equipment Selection for Educational Programs

Recommended Drone Characteristics

Durability: Withstand student crashes and rough handling
Propeller guards: Reduce injury risk and protect components
Intuitive controls: Simplified operation for novice pilots
Stability features: GPS hover, altitude hold, return-to-home
Classroom-appropriate size: Small enough for indoor practice if needed
Reasonable cost: Affordable replacement given likely damage
Educational features: Programmability, expandability, learning resources

Platform Recommendations by Education Level

Elementary (K-5):

Tello EDU ($100-130): Programmable, extremely durable, classroom-sized
Ryze Tello ($100): Basic version for pure flight practice
Indoor mini drones with full guards ($20-50): Entry-level practice

Middle School (6-8):

DJI Mini series ($300-500): Capable outdoor operations, good cameras
Tello EDU for coding integration
Build-your-own kits ($150-300): Hands-on assembly and learning

High School (9-12):

DJI Mini or Air series ($500-1000): Professional capabilities at accessible price
Build kits and racing drones ($200-500): Advanced customization
Agricultural/surveying platforms ($1000+): Career-focused programs

University:

Professional platforms specific to program focus (surveying, agriculture, inspection)
Research-grade platforms with sensor integration
Fleet management for multiple simultaneous operations

Supporting Equipment

Extra batteries: Minimum 3-4 per drone for continuous operations
Charging infrastructure: Multi-bay chargers, power management
Spare parts: Propellers, landing gear, common failure items
Storage and transport: Cases protecting equipment and enabling field trips
Simulators: Desktop or tablet flight simulators for practice

Funding and Grant Opportunities

Educational drone programs can access various funding sources:

STEM education grants: National Science Foundation, state education departments
Career and technical education funding: Perkins grants, vocational education budgets
Industry partnerships: Drone manufacturers and service providers supporting education
Parent organizations: PTAs, booster clubs, educational foundations
Community foundations: Local grants for innovative educational programs
Crowdfunding: DonorsChoose and similar platforms for specific equipment

Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Effective programs include clear learning objectives and assessment methods:

Knowledge Assessments

Written tests on regulations, safety, and technical concepts
TRUST certification completion
Part 107 practice exams for advanced students
Research projects applying drone-collected data

Skills Assessments

Flight proficiency demonstrations
Pre-flight inspection checklists
Mission planning exercises
Emergency procedure simulations

Project-Based Assessment

Aerial photography projects with written analysis
Mapping and surveying projects with data processing
Drone design and build projects
Programming autonomous flight missions

Conclusion

Flying drones in educational settings offers tremendous learning opportunities while requiring careful attention to regulatory compliance, safety protocols, and liability management. Understanding when recreational exceptions apply versus when Part 107 requirements govern, ensuring appropriate insurance coverage, implementing comprehensive safety procedures, and integrating drones meaningfully into curricula rather than as novelties create successful programs that enhance student engagement and prepare them for careers in growing drone industries. Schools investing in proper certification for instructors, quality equipment, and thoughtful program design reap rewards in increased STEM interest, hands-on learning experiences, and students equipped with valuable 21st-century skills applicable across diverse career paths.