Blog

Updates From the Field

Information on the use of UAS at Princeton for fieldwork, research, coursework—and fun.
Student flying drone in field.
FRIA Approved For Forrestal Helistop
Sept. 29, 2023

The FAA has approved a specially-designated area at Princeton’s Forrestal campus for research and recreational flights to take place without the need for Remote ID capability.

Remote ID required on all drones by March 16, 2024
Sept. 14, 2023

Remote ID requires, with very limited exceptions, that drones be registered with the FAA and operate with the ability to broadcast identifying information.

Student Research Improves Drone Stability
May 18, 2023

A Princeton PhD student may be unlocking the key to improved drone stability in windy conditions. 

Drone Flights For Research, Recreation Move to Forrestal
March 16, 2022

The Princeton small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) program has arranged for academic and recreational UAS flights to move to the James Forrestal Campus in Plainsboro.

New FAA Rules Require Certification For All Drone Pilots
Aug. 27, 2021

Whether you are flying a drone for recreation, education or business purposes, the FAA now requires certification through one of several options. 

Factor Cybersecurity Into UAS Purchasing, Operations
March 18, 2024

Cybersecurity is seen as an increasing threat to critical infrastructure and national security, and UAS (drones) have been identified as a potential area of vulnerability to foreign hacking and data breaches.

The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)…

New FAA Rules Coming Into Effect
Sept. 30, 2019

New FAA rules for flying drones were instituted in 2018 and are in the process of coming into effect. Most relevant to educational flyers are the updated “special rule” recreational drone standards.

TFRs: What They Are, Why They Matter
Sept. 5, 2018

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are issued by the FAA for various hazards (such as wildfires), security reasons and presidential or vice-presidential travel.

The latter type, called VIP TFRs, consist of rings of restricted airspace extending out three nautical miles from the vice president and 30 nautical miles from the president…

Students Explore Ecology Close to Home
March 1, 2018

Since last year, Princeton students have been doing intensive field work to study the impact of land-use change over a diverse and fast-changing landscape of forest, field, stream and lake. 

What might be surprising is that all this work was done right here at Princeton. Undertaken in partnership with Facilities and the Office of…

PEI Research Tracks Vegetation Changes With Drones
Nov. 1, 2017

In an article highlighting research projects by Princeton University undergraduates, the Princeton Environmental Institute (PEI) shines a spotlight on important field data collection techniques utilizing drones. 

Working at the Mpala Research Centre in Kenya, ecology and…

Got an idea for a blog post? Send your stories, projects and tips to: [email protected]