The FAA has achieved another benchmark in meeting the mandates in the FAA Modernization and Reform ACT passed by Congress in February, 2012. By naming its selection of the initial six UAS research and test sites the FAA has taken an important step toward realizing the enormous economic impact this technology has to offer. According to a recent economic report published by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International the expansion of UAS technology will create more than 100,000 jobs nationwide and generate more than $82 billion in economic impact in the first decade following integration.
On Monday, December 30th, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the selection of the six public entities that will develop unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country. These congressionally-mandated test sites will conduct critical research into the certification and operational requirements necessary to safely integrate UAS into the national airspace over the next several years.
The six sites selected are:
- University of Alaska
- State of Nevada
- New York’s Griffiss International Airport
- North Dakota Department of Commerce
- Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
Click the link below to read the complete FAA Press Release dated 12/30/13:
FAA Selects Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research and Test Sites
Additional Reading… USA Today, 12/30/13:
FAA names 6 sites for testing drones
Rich Hanson
AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs