UAV Program and Reports
The Utah National Guard supports search efforts on Sept. 18, 2015, following the Hildale Flood four days earlier. A video showing the flood path is available here and a video paying tribute to searchers is here.
The Division of Emergency Management maintains a DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter with an attached GoPro Hero 3 for documenting emergencies, disasters and for creating informational, social media and marketing materials. Information about starting a UAV program for public agencies is below.
The Utah DEM unmanned aerial vehicle, a DJI Phantom 2
Reports
We are required to report each use of our quadcopter, which we have yet to nickname, to UCJIS and on this website. These reports aren’t terribly exciting, but they demonstrate our increasing proficiency and great upcoming projects with this video-gathering platform.
The snow-covered campus of the State Capitol, as seen from the air, hours before 1,000 state employees would evacuate during the 2015 Great Utah ShakeOut earthquake drill. Captured with our UAV.
Maximum height we fly: 400 feet above ground level
Total number of flights since the program began: 19
Total flight time since the program began: 4 hours 04 minutes
2017 Reports
0 flights
Total flight time: 0 minutes
2016 Reports*
0 flights
Total flight time: 0 minutes
*no flights took place during 2016 while Joe was in training
2015 Reports
9 missions
Total flight time: 2 hours 8 minutes
2014 Reports
10 flights
Total flight time: 1 hour 56 minutes
Videos
Hildale Responders Tribute 2015
For public agencies seeking to start a UAV program
Public agencies are required to receive a Certificate of Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration. It is a lengthy process, and the FAA is receiving scads of requests, but we can help you out. Please download/view the following documents to get started. We’ll add more as appropriate.
FAA Small UAS resources (becoming a pilot)
KnowBeforeYouFly.org (FAA resource)
Don’t Fly Drones Here (Mapbox)
Utah reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies (State Code)
Drones in Wildland Fires Fact Sheet
Utah Drone Legislation 2016
HB0126 Unmanned Aircraft Revisions
This bill prohibits an individual from flying an unmanned aircraft within a specified distance of a wildland fire.
House Sponsor: Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber City
Status: Governor signed 3/21/16
This bill modifies penalties relating to operating an unmanned aircraft system in a manner that causes an unmanned aircraft to fly within certain wildland fire areas; makes it a class A misdemeanor to operate an unmanned aircraft system in a manner that prevents an aircraft, intended for use in containing or controlling a wildland fire, from taking flight; authorizes a judge to order a person convicted under the provisions of this bill to pay restitution; authorizes neutralization of an unmanned aircraft under certain circumstances
House Sponsor: Rep. Don Ipson, R-St. George
Status: Governor signed 7/17/16