Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS)

RPAS Charter

Purpose:

This group will build community, collaborate and share remotely piloted aerial systems policies, procedures and best practices among interested EDUCAUSE members.

Objectives:

• Encourage new members (national and international level) to join the group, to broaden perspective and effects;

• Maintain and develop the group leadership (co-leaders and executive committee members);

• Facilitate information sharing and discussion using a variety of communications methods, such as the email list, online meetings and participation at EDUCAUSE conferences;

• Discuss approach, impacts and implementation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules;

• Advocate about regulations and legislation affecting the education RPAS community.

Meetings:

• Virtual meetings during the academic year.

• Group meeting at EDUCAUSE annual conference (as funding and budgets permit).

Scope and Major Activities:

• Exchange information to:

  • • Develop or enhance remotely piloted aerial system compliance and safety training programs.

    • Understand how other higher education institutes are interpreting, approaching and implementing regulations.

    • Collaborate with others in the remotely piloted aerial system field, as well as key stakeholders.

• Discuss remotely piloted aerial system industry and academic trends.

• Discuss and share information about new remotely piloted aerial system technologies.

• Determine needs to advocate about legislation.

• Develop and share safe flying techniques.

• Invite occasional guest speakers from industry, government and/or academia counterparts.

• Write articles related to remotely piloted aerial systems.

Out of Scope Activities:

• Perform work for or on behalf of a specific college or university.

Membership:

• Group members are EDUCAUSE members who self-select to participate, but anyone is welcome to join, even if they are not directly in a remotely piloted aerial system role. EDUCAUSE members encompass all types of institutions, and industry influencers from corporations, associations, and organizations serving higher education.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Co-leaders share all of the following activities:

• Lead meetings, including online meetings and physical meetings at EDUCAUSE conferences, if given the opportunity, and if funding and budgets permit).

• Maintain focus on meeting topic.

• Ensure that meetings begin and end on time.

• Encourage discussions and postings on the CG listserv to keep communications open among CG participants.

RPAS CG members participate in most of the following activities:

• Attend meetings. Members should, at a minimum, notify a co-leader if they are unable to attend a meeting. Declining the calendar invitation is sufficient notification.

• Contribute to developing meeting agendas.

• Contribute to the on-going improvement of the group.

• Provide time and expertise towards development of the team’s deliverables.

• Work collaboratively and cooperatively as a team.

• Understand the implications and outcomes of projects and initiatives being pursued.

• Contribute to the planning and coordination of CG’s participation at EDUCAUSE events, such as the national conference and regional or topical conferences, if funding and budgets permit.

RPAS Resources

• Educause CG Guidelines

• RPAS CG Google Drive Folder

  • RPAS Member Contact List

RPAS CG Meetings

• May 27, 2021