Oregon Releases UAS Operations Manual Template to Help Public Agencies Standardize Drone Programs

Oregon Releases UAS Operations Manual Template for Public Agencies

The Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) has published a new Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations and Policy Manual template, designed to help state agencies, cities, counties, special districts, and other public entities build safe and consistent drone programs.

Broad Range of Applications

According to the official press release, "The template is designed as a practical starting framework for agencies that already use drones or are evaluating their use, across applications including public works, transportation, emergency management, natural resources, infrastructure inspection, surveying, environmental monitoring, training, and other government functions."

The statement further noted: "As drone use expands across government, public agencies need more than just aircraft and qualified pilots — they need clear policies, defined roles, safety procedures, training standards, maintenance protocols, privacy controls, data handling rules, and reporting processes. This new template brings all of those elements together in a single document while allowing agencies to customize it to fit their specific operations."

Agency Director Highlights Value

ODAV Director Kenji Sugahara said: "Drones are becoming everyday tools for Oregon public agencies. This template is intended to help agencies build flight programs that are safe, responsible, and compliant with Oregon and federal requirements — giving them a solid foundation without having to start from scratch."

What the Manual Covers

The template includes the following key sections:

• Program Governance
• Pilot Qualifications
• Aircraft Registration
• Remote ID
• Oregon Public Agency Registration and Reporting
• Mission Planning
• Operational Controls
• Risk Assessment
• Airspace Review
• Contractor Use
• Emergency Response Procedures
• Maintenance
• Recordkeeping
• Privacy Protections
• Data Management
• Public Communications

Flexible Appendices for Law Enforcement Needs

The template also accounts for differences in agency mission. Public safety and law enforcement provisions are presented as optional appendices, allowing general government agencies to avoid adopting procedures that do not apply to their operations. Law enforcement-specific sections are separately identified, as Oregon law imposes additional restrictions and requirements on those operations.

Designed for Agencies of All Sizes and Inter-Agency Collaboration

The document is intended to help agencies resolve fundamental operational questions before flights take place — including who is in charge of a mission, under what authority it is conducted, what airspace authorizations are required, how data is stored, what reports must be filed, and how the agency should respond if an incident occurs.

For smaller agencies, the template reduces the administrative burden of building a drone program. For larger organizations, it helps align internal departments around a shared framework for safety and compliance. For agencies collaborating on regional projects, mutual aid, emergency response, or contracted missions, the template also provides a common language for operational controls, mission review, risk management, and post-flight documentation.

The UAS Operations and Policy Manual template is now publicly available on the Oregon Department of Aviation's official website.

Image credit: Shutterstock

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