As used in NRS 493.010 to 493.120, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. “Aircraft” includes a balloon, airplane, hydroplane, unmanned aerial vehicle and any other vehicle used for navigation through the air. A hydroplane, while at rest on water and while being operated on or immediately above water, is governed by the rules regarding water navigation. A hydroplane while being operated through the air other than immediately above water, is an aircraft.

2. “Critical facility” means a petroleum refinery, a petroleum or chemical production, transportation, storage or processing facility, a chemical manufacturing facility, a pipeline and any appurtenance thereto, a wastewater treatment facility, a water treatment facility, a mine as that term is defined in NRS 512.006, a power generating station, plant or substation and any appurtenances thereto, any transmission line that is owned in whole or in part by an electric utility as that term is defined in subsection 6 of NRS 704.187 or owned, operated, inspected, maintained or repaired in whole or in part by the Colorado River Commission of Nevada pursuant to NRS 538.161 or 538.166, a county, city or town jail or detention facility and any prison, facility or institution under the control of the Department of Corrections. The term does not include any facility or infrastructure of a utility that is located underground.

3. “Department” means the Department of Public Safety.

4. “Law enforcement agency” means an agency, office, bureau, board, commission, department or division of this State or a political subdivision of this State, the primary duty of which is to enforce the law.

5. “Operator” includes aviator, pilot, balloonist and any other person having any part in the operation of aircraft while in flight.

6. “Passenger” includes any person riding in an aircraft, but having no part in its operation.

7. “Public agency” means an agency, office, bureau, board, commission, department or division of this State or a political subdivision of this State other than a law enforcement agency.

8. “Unmanned aerial vehicle” means a powered aircraft of any size without a human operator aboard the vehicle and that is operated remotely or autonomously.

[1:66:1923; NCL § 275] — (NRS A 1991, 252; 2015, 1777; 2017, 142)