Drone Class Participation Waiver, Release & Flight-Area Agreement
FAA Compliant Drones, a ministry of Nieto Ministries · Pathfinder Drone Honor class
Event date: Saturday, November 14, 2026 · Location: Mount Aetna Retreat Center, Hagerstown, MD · Time: to be announced
Who signs: every student, every adult staff member or volunteer, and every person who will be inside the marked flight area. A parent or legal guardian signs for anyone under 18.
1. The activity
The class teaches drone safety, FAA rules and basic flight skills, and may include a supervised flight session using small training drones. The flight session is run by an FAA-certificated remote pilot (14 CFR Part 107) who is responsible for the safety of every flight.
2. Flight-area rules (I agree to follow these)
- Flying happens only inside the marked flight area, and only when the instructor says so.
- Only one drone flies at a time unless the instructor directs otherwise.
- Students fly under the instructor's direct supervision, and the instructor may take control of any flight at any time.
- No drone is flown over people. Everyone who is not flying stays behind the marked spectator line.
- No personal drones are flown during the class. Personal flying after the class happens only if the instructor allows it, inside the flight area, under these same rules.
- I will not touch a drone that is armed or has spinning propellers, and I will stay clear of takeoff and landing spots.
- I will follow any instruction to stop, land or clear the area immediately.
- The instructor may cancel or end flying at any time for weather, wind, airspace restrictions or safety.
3. Risks
I understand that drone activities involve risks, including injury from spinning propellers or a falling or uncontrolled drone, trips and falls outdoors, sun and weather exposure, and damage to property. I understand that these risks cannot be completely eliminated even with careful supervision.
4. Release
In exchange for being allowed to take part, I voluntarily accept these risks. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I release and agree not to hold responsible the instructor, FAA Compliant Drones, Nieto Ministries, the host church or club, and their staff and volunteers for any injury, loss or damage arising from my participation, except where caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct.
5. Medical
I confirm the participant has no medical condition that would make taking part unsafe, or I have told the instructor about it. In an emergency, I authorize the instructor or event staff to seek emergency medical care for the participant if I cannot be reached.
6. Photos and video (optional)
I agree that photos or video of the participant taken during the class may be used by the club and Nieto Ministries for ministry, education and promotion.
I do not agree to the use of the participant's image.
7. Personal drones
The participant will not bring a personal drone.
The participant will bring a personal drone and may fly it after the class only if the instructor approves, inside the flight area, under the rules above. Drones that weigh 250 g (0.55 lb) or more must be FAA-registered and marked with the registration number, and the flyer must have a TRUST certificate.
8. Participant information
9. Signatures
I have read this agreement, understand it, and sign it voluntarily.
FAA references
- FAA safety guidance for recreational flyers: avoid flying over people or public events (FAA recreational flyer card, Sept 2022).
- Part 107: no operation over non-participants who are not under a covered structure or in a stationary covered vehicle, unless the operation meets an operations-over-people category (faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/operations_over_people).
- Educational flying: programs that are not higher-education, JROTC or chartered by an FAA-recognized community-based organization operate under Part 107 (faa.gov/uas/educational_users).
Signing this form is a liability and safety agreement. It does not change FAA rules or make it legal to fly over people.