Â鶹ԭ´´

Permits & Regulations

Policy for Unmanned Aerial System Operations (Â鶹ԭ´´S) at Toolik Field Station

Objectives:

To provide a safe operating environment for all researchers, aviators, and other people and property in
the area of Toolik Field Station (TFS),
To comply with all Federal Aviation Administration, Â鶹ԭ´´, and other applicable rules and
regulations,
To enable research development in the field of Â鶹ԭ´´S (including winged and rotary-wing aircraft, balloons,
and kites), as possible, once safety and regulatory requirements are fulfilled.

Requirements for ALL Â鶹ԭ´´S Operations at Toolik Field Station

1. All TFS residents who operate a Â鶹ԭ´´S should review Advisory Circular 107-2A and 60-22.
2. All TFS residents who operate a Â鶹ԭ´´S must be aware of special airspace restrictions as presented in
the “Restricted and Prohibited Â鶹ԭ´´S Airspace near Toolik Field Station" map attached to this policy
document. All Â鶹ԭ´´S pilots must also be aware of equipment in the Toolik Lake Research Natural Area
and take steps to mitigate risk of property damage.
3. All TFS residents who intend to operate a Â鶹ԭ´´S must contact the Â鶹ԭ´´S coordinator prior to their first
flight at the station to review proposed Â鶹ԭ´´S areas, Â鶹ԭ´´S operational plans, and safety plans.
4. In the morning before a Â鶹ԭ´´S flight(s), all Â鶹ԭ´´S pilots are expected to check the online PFS helicopter
calendar and be aware of PFS helicopter operational areas.
5. All Â鶹ԭ´´S pilots must file a weekly Drone Flight Plan with the Â鶹ԭ´´S Coordinator with a copy provided by
the Â鶹ԭ´´S Coordinator to the Battelle ARO, Toolik Helicopter Coordinator.
6. Â鶹ԭ´´S flights within 0.5 miles of Trans-Alaska Pipeline require permission from Alyeska Pipeline
Service Company (see attached map).
7. No Â鶹ԭ´´S flights are permitted within or over the Toolik Field Station BLM Lease Area (see attached
map) without prior approval from the Toolik Field Station Camp Manager.

Requirements for Recreational Â鶹ԭ´´S Operations at Toolik Field Station

1. TFS residents flying a Â鶹ԭ´´S for recreational purposes must hold a current FAA Trust certificate and
provide a digital copy of their certificate and Â鶹ԭ´´S registration number (unless Â鶹ԭ´´S weight <250g) to
the Â鶹ԭ´´S coordinator.
2. Recreational Â鶹ԭ´´S pilots must follow regulations outlined in 49 USC 44809 and review AC 91-57C.
3. Recreational Â鶹ԭ´´S pilots must first receive permission from the on-site helicopter coordinator before
operating their drone in the FAA FRIA surrounding Toolik Field Station.

4. In the event of a conflict in airspace use between a Â鶹ԭ´´S pilot flying recreationally and a Â鶹ԭ´´S pilot
flying for research purposes, the Â鶹ԭ´´S pilot flying for research will have priority.

Requirements for Research/Academic Â鶹ԭ´´S Operations at Toolik Field Station

1. TFS residents flying a Â鶹ԭ´´S for research or academic purposes must follow the rules stipulated in 14
CFR 107, 14 CFR 48, and must hold a current FAA small Â鶹ԭ´´S certificate (or hold a current Part 61
pilot certificate and complete an FAA Â鶹ԭ´´S on-line course).
2. TFS residents flying a Â鶹ԭ´´S for research or academic purposes must email a digital copy of their FAA
small Â鶹ԭ´´S certificate (or Part 61 pilot certificate with Â鶹ԭ´´S course completion) to the Â鶹ԭ´´S
Coordinator prior to arriving at Toolik Field Station (contact information below).
3. All Â鶹ԭ´´S platforms flown under Part 107 must be registered with the FAA and marked as per 14 CFR
48. The FAA registration number for each Â鶹ԭ´´S operated at Toolik Field Station must be emailed to
the Â鶹ԭ´´S Coordinator.
4. All Â鶹ԭ´´S research operations in the Toolik Lake Research Natural Area and on other lands managed
by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) must be disclosed to the BLM.
5. Upon arrival at the station and before the first flight, the research project’s Pilot(s) in Command
must meet with the Â鶹ԭ´´S coordinator and PFS helicopter coordinator to provide any updates on the
project’s Â鶹ԭ´´S areas, operational plans, and safety plans. At this meeting, the PFS Helicopter
Coordinator may establish daily reporting requirements for the project.
6. Â鶹ԭ´´S operations for academic or research purposes must designate a knowledgeable and
experienced radio operator to be in contact with the PFS helicopter coordinator and monitor local
air traffic frequencies. Projects are responsible for providing their own airband radio tuned to CTAF
122.9MHz while operating their Â鶹ԭ´´S in the field to monitor and respond to local air traffic
communication. TFS VHF helicopter coordinator radios operate on different public service
frequencies and cannot communicate with civilian aviation aircraft.

Support and Points of Contact:
Randy Fulweber Â鶹ԭ´´S Coordinator: rafulweber@alaska.edu
Battelle ARO, Toolik Helicopter Coordinator: toolikhelo@polarfield.com