Drones Use During a Game
Posted: 8/20/2015
Q: If a team has Drones above the field taking video, can officials ask for the drones to be behind the offensive team? If a team does use a drone and a Football hits the drone—Penalty on team with the drone?
A: Under no circumstances should drones be above the playing surface once officials take control of the contest with players and nonplayers on the field (including warm ups). Stop play and wait until the drone is no longer over the playing field. The penalty would be delay of game on the team with the drone or unsportsmanlike if they've been warned or assessed a penalty already. The drones should not interfere with the game. As far as a WIAA drone policy, it's still a work in progress. I don't believe that it's unreasonable that you provide guidelines as to what you are comfortable with for drone use during a game. Officials and game management should be aware of any use and address it prior to the game. It would be a good situation to address in your pre-game meeting with coaches.
Drone/UAV use at WIAA regular season sporting events:
It is a local decision. You will want to check with your district's legal counsel and insurance provider to determine whether you wish to allow a drone to be used during a district event. You'll also want to check with local authorities to make sure that local laws ,as well as all FAA regulations are being followed.
- Contest administration should identify specific parameters and space for use (not allowed in-doors, or over spectators or players, not directly over the field/course/playing surface or over parking areas.)
- Contest managers and contest officials are authorized to suspend play if necessary, to remove any UAV operating in prohibited areas, operating in an unsafe manner, disrupting the contest, or deemed an annoyance. Contest officials may apply penalty by rule – such as delay of game, or unsportsmanlike acts for uncooperative and persisting unauthorized operation of UAV.
- NOTE: FAA Regulations provide that News media use of a UAV is not for hobby or recreational purposes, so FAA authorization is necessary. Media organizations may hire a company that already has a Section 333 exemption; that company would have to apply for and obtain a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) to fly in a particular block of airspace. Media organizations also may apply for their own Section 333 exemptions.
The WIAA does not permit drones/UAVs to be used during WIAA tournament contests without written consent from the WIAA.
