WESTLAKE, Ohio --- Students participating in Westlake High School’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Drone Technology class will be able to operate drones as part of their curriculum, thanks to approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The district recently received notice of approved FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs), which are defined geographic zones where drones can be flown without remote ID equipment -- now required for most drone use.
Regulations mandate that both the drone and pilot be located within the FRIA’s boundaries throughout operation. Additionally, the drone pilot must be able to see the device at all times while it is in operation.
This map shows the geographical area where Westlake High School students are allowed to fly drones as part of their curriculum.Courtesy of Scott Kutz
In Westlake’s case, the area is basically confined to school district property around the high school.
Westlake High School is the first educational institution in Cuyahoga County to receive approval for a FRIA designation. There are eight other approved educational FRIAs in Ohio.
FRIAs are currently limited to FAA-recognized community-based organizations and educational institutions.
Scott Kutz, a teacher in Westlake High School’s technology and engineering department, explained that approval was a detailed process. The district submitted four amendments to its application and waited more than four weeks before receiving acceptance.
Approval is limited to the Westlake High School drone class and is not available to the public. Additionally, the approval requires the district to secure airspace authorization prior to each flight, since the school is located in a Class B airspace.
The FAA details that no flights are to be conducted over people, residential homes or roads, and students are required to hold a current Part 107 license or pass the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) before operating a drone.
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