La. Admin. Code tit. 70 § IX-701

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section IX-701 - Introduction

A. Program Intent. The intent of the program is to manage the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Program for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and to stimulate innovation and provide efficiencies for project delivery and program development. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Aviation Division, hereinafter referred to as (DOTD), will foster UAS operational safety and protect the health and safety of persons and property of the citizens of Louisiana and those engaged in UAS operations. Further, the program will promote UAS statewide, assist with inspection of facilities, and provide guidance for operational safety protocols to local governments, which operate their own UAS equipment.

B. Definitions

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)-unmanned aircraft and its associated elements (including communications links and the components that control the small-unmanned aircraft) that are required for the safe and efficient operation of the unmanned aircraft in the national airspace system.

Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV)-aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

C. Purpose. The primary role of the UAS Program is to obtain terrestrial imagery of the state's infrastructure to inform various workflows within the Department.

D. Flight/Mission Request Procedures. A request may be submitted to the UAS Program through the online "Drone Flight Request" Form or the UAS Program GIS Portal.

1. The link to the online Drone Flight Request Form and the UAS Program GIS Portal may be found on the Drone's and Unmanned Aircraft System's (UAS) area of the DOTD Aviation Website.

2. Flight information to be submitted shall include:

a. name;

b. agency/section;

c. contact information;

d. date/time/location;

e. expected deliverables;

f. mission description;

g. special areas of concern; and

h. an area map.

La. Admin. Code tit. 70, § IX-701

Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Multimodal Commerce, LR 491432 (8/1/2023).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 2:2 and R.S. 2.6.