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AGENCY NEWS

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The Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) is sharing updated guidance to address growing public interest and concerns regarding drones and unidentified aerial phenomena. With drone activity increasing across Oregon for public safety, infrastructure inspections, and recreational purposes, it’s important for the public to understand drone regulations, safe practices, and appropriate ways to report concerns.
 
Please find attached:
 
1. Press Release: Overview of ODAV’s key public guidance and safety reminders.
2. Drone FAQ Document: Detailed answers to common questions about drones, aerial sightings, and reporting procedures.
 
We encourage you to share this information with your communities and networks to help ensure a better understanding of drone activity and promote public safety.
 
For additional resources on drone regulations, visit the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems webpage: https://www.faa.gov/uas.

Correction to Drone FAQ- 

"Three federally designated drone testing areas are located Pendleton, Tillamook and Northwest UAV. Testing here includes balloons that can operate up to 100,000 feet day and night."



Posted 12.17.24 
Updated 12.18.24


​The Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) requires an annual report of UAS/Drone usage per calendar year. Per ORS 837.360(7)(a)(A), (B), & (C) , our report only needs to summarize the (A) frequency of use, (B) purpose of use, and (C) how the public can access the policies and procedures. You may send any comformation with additional fields if it is easier for you. The preferred file types are word, excel or adobe pdf.


Reports may be submitted by email to mail.aviation@odav.oregon.gov

or by mail to:

Oregon Department of Aviation
UAS/Drone Annual Report
3040 25th St SE
Salem, OR 97302-1125

Here is the citation of the statute this report request falls under:


ORS 837.360


 (5)   Established Registry

(a) The Oregon Department of Aviation shall establish a registry of unmanned aircraft systems registered under subsection (2)(a) of this section and may charge a fee sufficient to reimburse the department for the maintenance of the registry.

​(b) The department may not charge a fee to an educational institution under this subsection.


 (6) The Oregon Department of Aviation shall require the following information for registration of an unmanned aircraft system under subsection (2)(a) of this section:

(a) The name of the public body that owns or operates the unmanned aircraft system.

(b) The name and contact information of the individuals who operate the unmanned aircraft system.

​(c) Identifying information for the unmanned aircraft system as required by the department by rule.


(7)   Annual report

(a) A public body that registers one or more unmanned aircraft systems under subsection (2)(a) of this section shall provide an annual report to the Oregon Department of Aviation that:


(A) Summarizes the frequency of use of the unmanned aircraft systems by the public body during the preceding calendar year;

(B) Summarizes the purposes for which the unmanned aircraft systems have been used by the public body during the preceding calendar year; and

​(C) Indicates how the public can access the policies and procedures established under ORS 837.362.

​You can now register a new aircraft or drone online using the payment portal! A paper registration form is no longer needed to pay your registration fee. 

Go to https://or.accessgov.com/aviation/Forms/Edit/aviation/4a3727ce-ce99-4029-a666-d49b38631228/0 and select "Aircraft Registration or Renewal" on the next page select "New Registration". 

If you are unable to use the online system we will continue to take the paper form via postal mail, email or in person. Once the form has been submitted payment is accepted via cash, check or credit card.

Aircraft/Drone Registration Form

​Posted: November 12, 2024​

​No, you're not seeing things. The ODAV website is being updated! With this update we are hoping to remove, update and improve all aspects of our website. Over time you will see small changes while we are working on our full website redesign!

Help us improve! 

Email marketing@odav.oregon.gov​ with any suggestions for what you would like to see or any issues you have regarding the website!

Posted: September 23, 2024 

Updated: December 3, 2024


​

Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) the future of the Aurora State Airport

Contact: Oregon Department of Aviation
Alex Thomas | ODAV Planning & Programs Manager
Email: Alex.R.Thomas@odav.oregon.gov

More information: Aurora State Airport Master Plan (https://publicproject.net/AuroraAirport)

​https://publicproject.net/AuroraAirport on the “Public Meetings Page"

About the project

An Airport Master Plan is a facility planning study that represents an airport's “blueprint" or plan for long-term, mid-range and short-term development on the airport.  As required by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Aurora State Airport Master Plan will provide specific guidance in making the improvements necessary to maintain a safe and efficient airport that is economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable. The Airport Master Plan will define the needs of the Airport through a comprehensive evaluation of facilities, conditions, and federal airport planning and design standards.  It will also consider what is happening around the Airport that could affect the future plans, development, and operation of the Airport.



For the most up to date information regarding the Aurora Master Plan please visit the Project Overview page linked below: 

AURORA STATE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN PROJECT OVERVIEW

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Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) the future of the Aurora State Airport

Contact: Oregon Department of Aviation
Alex Thomas | ODAV Planning & Programs Manager
Email: Alex.R.Thomas@odav.oregon.gov

More information: Aurora State Airport Master Plan (https://publicproject.net/AuroraAirport)

​https://publicproject.net/AuroraAirport on the “Public Meetings Page"

About the project

An Airport Master Plan is a facility planning study that represents an airport's “blueprint" or plan for long-term, mid-range and short-term development on the airport.  As required by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Aurora State Airport Master Plan will provide specific guidance in making the improvements necessary to maintain a safe and efficient airport that is economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable. The Airport Master Plan will define the needs of the Airport through a comprehensive evaluation of facilities, conditions, and federal airport planning and design standards.  It will also consider what is happening around the Airport that could affect the future plans, development, and operation of the Airport.

OregonBuys

OregonBuys, the state of Oregon's new eProcurement system, is now live.  This system replaces the Oregon Procurement Information Network (ORPIN).

Oregon Buys is a full procure-to-pay eProcurement solution that automates procurement processes using web-based applications.  This technology-enabled solution allows the state to procure goods and services at the best value.

To receive orders from the Department of Aviation and other state agencies, you must register as a vendor in OregonBuys.  If you have not yet registered please visit the OregonBuys system page here​.  Registering in OregonBuys is free and only takes a few moments.

If you have any questions or need registration support, please reach out to OregonBuys at oregonbuys.support@oregon.gov.

 OregonBuys eNewsletters

​​Initial Drone Registrations About to Expire

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reminding everyone whose drone registrations expire in December that the DroneZone is the FAA's official website for registration.

If you completed your drone registration directly with the FAA before the DroneZone was established in January 2018, a DroneZone account was created for you using the information you provided. Access your account by entering the same email address you used when you first registered, and by using the “forgot password" tool to establish a new password.

If you registered using a third-party service, contact that company to request your DroneZone login credentials. Otherwise, you will have to create a new account in the DroneZone and get a new registration.

Registration on the DroneZone is fast and easy and the fee is only $5 for a three-year period. All drones must be registered, except those that weigh .55 pounds or less (less than 250 grams) and are flown exclusively under the Exception for Recreational Flyers (PDF). Please do your part to keep the skies safe and renew your registration today.​

For information on the on-going planning projects for the state owned airports, please click here​.  ​​

The Streaked Horned Lark (SHL) is currently considered a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Streaked Horned Lark population is centered in parts of the Willamette Valley and the Northern Oregon Coast. Their habitat includes areas which are classified as sparsely vegetated grasslands for nesting such as airports. Oregon Department of Aviation's (ODAV) goal is to identify and protect nesting sites yet allow for airport projects to move forward to maintain the system of airports within Oregon. ODAV is closely working with both the FAA and USFWS to identify habitat locations at the various airports throughout Oregon that have been identified as potential habitat.

Streak Horned Lark and Airports.pdfStreak Horned Lark and Airports
SHL Occupancy and Abundance Protocols.pdfSHL Occupancy and Abundance Protocols
SHL Special Rules.pdfSHL Special Rules

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STATEWIDE NEWS