Various university operations fly under a COA but to fly on campus pilots must complete an additional short training with a current Examiner. A desription of the additional training is outlined Chapter 11 of the Flight Operations Training Manual, which can be found under the Manuals tab. The procedures for obtaining permission to fly on campus differ depending on whether or not you are affiliated with the University and what flight rules you are flying under. This policy applies to CU Main Campus, CU East Campus, Williams Village, and CU South Boulder. Small auxiliary campus facilities, such as the CU Mountain Research Station, are not covered by this policy.

On campus flight request form here (completed example form). 

Please also see the document here detailing on-campus flight request procedures for third parties.

I am a CU-trained COA pilot flying under either a CU COA or Part 107:

This applies to those who have attended both days of ground school, completed a training event(s), and passed the initial checkride. 

In this case, we require the following:

  • On-campus training from a CU flight instructor
  • Detailed safety plan to include times of operation, plans to avoid flights over people, plans for takeoff and landing, etc.
  • If the flight obstructs access to any facility, or requires any facility to be closed, you must coordinate with the appropriate facilities manager; Flight Operations cannot give approval for obstructing access to or closing a facility.
  • This plan must be submitted to the Director of Flight Operations no less than 48 hours in advance of the desired flight time (not including weekends and holidays).

I am a third-party Part 107 operator:

In this case, we require the following:

  • Certificate of UAS insurance
  • Proof of UAS registration
  • Detailed safety plan to include times of operation, plans to avoid flights over people, plans for takeoff and landing, etc.
  • If the flight obstructs access to any facility, or requires any facility to be closed, you must coordinate with the appropriate facilities manager; Flight Operations cannot give approval for obstructing access to or closing a facility.
  • This plan must be submitted to the Director of Flight Operations no less than 10 business days in advance of the desired flight time; we strongly recommend submitting this proposal 14 business days in advance of the desired flight time.

I am a hobbyist user:

Recognized student organizations may operate UAS on campus under hobbyist rules. Individuals may not operate on campus under hobbyist rules.

In this case, we require the following:

  • Certificate of UAS insurance
  • Proof of UAS registration
  • Proof of AMA membership for the pilot
  • Proof of status as recognized student organization
  • Detailed safety plan to include times of operation, plans to avoid flights over people, plans for takeoff and landing, etc.
  • If the flight obstructs access to any facility, or requires any facility to be closed, you must coordinate with the appropriate facilities manager; Flight Operations cannot give approval for obstructing access to or closing a facility.
  • This plan must be submitted no less than 30 days in advance of the desired flight day
  • Hobbyists can fly in an area near Potts field to a limit of 100 feet. Details are available on page 45 of the Flight Operations Manual.

Additional information regarding the AES COA (2022-WSA-11698-COA): 

  • The FAA has granted a Certificate of Authorization or waiver for an area behind AES which is limited to 80 feet. The marked area on the COA map is hard to see (under the “A” in the stadium marker) and attached is a map which contains a better view of the location.