SUU Seal (for official use only)
 

POLICY #5.5 
SUBJECT: Helicopter Policy

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Policy is to define the regulations for the general operation, such as landing, departure, and the low flyover, of helicopters on University property.

II. REFERENCES

N/A

III. DEFINITIONS

N/A

IV. POLICY

  1. Helicopters – The University has established the following guidelines for safe helicopter landings and low flyovers on and over campus:
    1. In an emergency:
      1. In the instance of a medical or law enforcement emergency, prior authorization, as explained below, is not governed by this Policy. However, coordination with the University Police and/or local law enforcement is necessary.
    2. In non-emergencies:
      1. The President or the Vice President of Operations has the authority to approve helicopter landings, departures, and low flyovers. In considering a request, the President or the Vice President may consult with the University Police and/or the University Risk Management Official to review the proposed arrangements and to receive recommendations.
      2. The Executive Director of the SUU Aviation Program or designee (SUU Aviation) must submit the following documentation to the University Police and/or the University Risk Management Official with enough time prior to the event for approval (varies by event):
        1. Flight Plan: SUU Aviation must coordinate its flight path with Air Traffic Control Authorities and minimize risk to campus buildings. The flight plan shall include, but not limited to, a map with a description narrative of the flight path, altitude, airspeed, number of aircraft involved, landing zone (if applicable), emergency landing locations, data and time, etc.
        2. Plan for Ground Control: SUU Aviation must provide sufficient ground support to ensure a safe landing and departure. A minimum of two (2) qualified ground control personnel are required. Ground control will be coordinated with SUU Police and University Risk Management.
        3. Flight Crew Competency: SUU Aviation must confirm the flight crew is qualified and competent to safely land and take off at the proposed campus location in the expected conditions.
        4. All flights and landings involving a mix of SUU Aviation and aircraft owned by other parties or agencies shall operate under the command of SUU Aviation. Other sections of this Policy may apply in mixed flight situations.
      3. The private or corporate helicopter owner must complete a facility use agreement with the Office of Centralized Scheduling and Guest Services a minimum of 10 business days prior to the event and submit the following documents five (5) business days prior to the event:
        1. Insurance: The helicopter owner must provide a certificate of general liability insurance with a combined single limit of at least $2,000,000 and a general aggregate of at least $5,000,000. The State of Utah, Southern Utah University and their respective employees, officers, agents and volunteers must be listed as Additionally Insured on the certificate and accompanied by an Additional Insured Endorsement.
        2. Written indemnification agreement: The helicopter owner must agree in writing that it assumes all liability and will pay for any claim arising from the general operation of the helicopter.
        3. Flight Plan: The helicopter owner must coordinate its flight path with Air Traffic Control Authorities and minimize risk to campus buildings. The flight plan shall include, but not limited to, a map with a description narrative of the flight path, altitude, airspeed, number of aircraft involved, landing zone (if applicable), emergency landing locations, date and time, etc.
        4. Plan for Ground Control: The helicopter owner must provide sufficient ground support to ensure a safe landing and departure. A minimum of two (2) grounds control personnel are required. The helicopter owner is also responsible for taking steps to keep the helicopter and landing site safe at all times while the helicopter is on campus. Ground control will be coordinated with SUU Police and University Risk Management.
        5. Pilot Report: The helicopter owner must submit information about the pilot, including: name, address, a current pilot's license, the number of flight hours per type of aircraft and other related information to certify that the pilot is qualified and competent to safely land and take off at the proposed campus location in the expected conditions.
      4. Military helicopters making promotional visits must:
        1. Also be addressed in a facility use agreement to be completed by the local promotional beneficiary with the Office of Centralized Scheduling and Guest Services a minimum of 10 business days prior to the event;
        2. Within five (5) business days prior to the event, provide to the Office of Centralized Scheduling and Guest Services appropriate documentation by which the military branch, agency or entity will assume liability and financial responsibility for, and will indemnify the University, students, patrons, and private citizenry from any and all damage that is directly caused by the military helicopters or associated military personnel; and,
        3. Provide assurance that the helicopter's flight path will be coordinated with Air Traffic Control Authorities, and minimize risk to campus buildings and structures.
    3. The recommended helicopter-landing sites for the University are: the Upper and Lower Practice Fields, the Thunderbird Park, and the Bowman Intramural Fields. The President or the Vice President for Operations has the authority to approve alternative locations.
    4. The University Police will utilize sufficient staffing and equipment to assist in the landing and departure.

V. RELEVANT FORMS/LINKS

VI. QUESTIONS/RESPONSIBLE OFFICE

The responsible office for this Policy is the Vice President for Operations. For questions about this Policy, contact the Office of Enterprise Risk Management.

VII. POLICY ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT DATES

Date Approved: January 30, 2015

Amended: December 8, 2023